Originally Posted by cheekee
Thank you for your interest, Cheekee, and I’m sorry to read about your Mum.
• CT ( computerised tomography ) and MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging ) provide helpful information in a whole range of medical conditions.
• However, with respect, " check private whole body CT scans " on people with NO symptoms – apart from radiation exposure – don’t seem to have good evidence of benefit.
The private check up sector has expanded as these imaging techniques have become better and cheaper. Such clinics may or may not be owned by medically qualified doctors. Doctors are however required on site because of regulations over ionising radiation. That may lead to a sense of reassurance about respectability and a good way to spend your time and cash.
• The evidence is lacking that such scans are better for your health than running away from these clinics at top speed with your cash / credit cards in your pocket ! People should not succumb to emotional blackmail or feel bad about thinking " what if I, or my loved ones, had only had a scan before symptoms appeared ? ".
• So far the evidence is not strong for use of these scans in screening – apart from certain situations like possibly detecting lung cancer in higher risk individuals. Of course circumstances may change in the future.
• https://www.gov.uk/government/collec...comare-reports
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