The technology exists to get a full body CT (Computed Tomography) scan. You can use this to check for anything abnormal in your innards, such as strange growths or the beginning of tumors. Doctors stress time and time again that they best way to beat an illness like cancer is with early detection. Shouldn’t we have annual CT scans for caner, then?
However, it does cost a couple of thousand dollars. But even if price wasn’t the issue, a full body CT scan might still not be worth the stress it will cause you. This is the conclusion of Dr. Nancy Snyderman in her book Medical Myths That Can Kill You.
Everything In Moderation
CT scans, although relatively painless, does expose your body to radiation. Radiation is something you really don’t want to be on close terms with. You should just interact with it as little as possible. There is concern from the FDA and the medical community that constantly checking for cancer at least once a year with CT full body scans could lead to cancer.
What If They Find Something?
And what if something happens to be found? It might not necessarily be anything malignant. The body does tend to grow weird but benign lumps and bumps as we age. As Dr. Snyderman points out, any strange finding on a CT scan is backed up with other tests. These tests can really make you worry if you have something bad. Most of the time, you don’t — so, you’ve stressed out for nothing.
Isn’t it nice to know that there’s at least one absurdly expensive medical test that you don’t need?
As always, please don’t use this blog post in the place of your doctor’s diagnosis.
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38 Comments
Write a Comment»that is simply amazing totally out of this world
I will NEVER do a full body scan. It seems crazy. I agree: why would I expose my body to unnecessary radiation? Plus I’m SURE they will find something, send me off to do MORE screens and tests, and eventually it will be a false alarm. No thanks.
they say radiation is bad for us. why are they using it if they know it is bad for us. They must find other ways that will not cause their patience more problems.
i will never try that …
hats of to the guy in the pic
What is the story regarding the image used here as the idea of being massaged by an elephant looks kind of fun. Is it a post scan operation?
Those elephants sure so need a revolutionary skin care breakthrough. Seriously though those full body scanners scare me… Katie
I agree with the other posters that while the article is interested, the picture of a guy getting massaged by an elephant is infinitely more interesting! Where do you they do that? Do they train the elephants? Can we get a follow-up post?
Nice site
Radiation is bad for us. However it is being used in a controlled way to scan the inner body. One should not go for frequent scanning.
Regular exercise will help you get relax. It is much cheaper and trouble free than anyother method.
Exercise helps to release tension and improves the blood circulation. It aids in good night sleep also.
Regularly sleeping, eating in same time everyday and in same amount of food with same amount of time consuming exercises might help to get rid of all kinds of normal disease.
Radiation is really harmful for human and other living thing on earth, as far for human being u will have to take obvious necessary steps if u were close to radiation
Well, It seems that alot of people here are against this, but personally I think it would be a good thing to know, Although the radiation is a big issue still for me, But in one way it can prevent early problems such as cancer if spotted in the early stages
Completely agreed. I remember when I was partaking in Physiotherapy after I had a car accident. These scans only made me feel worse! It was terrible!
You’ll notice that I’ve actually sent the entire web site in this first message using the tabs above
While it is true that it will stress you i would actually rather know whats going on so i can fix an issue i have versus finding out when its to late.
thanks for the infomation… best regard
I don’t get why the picture? What is the relation between text and picture?
Yeah, Ill pass on the CT scan, and ill pass on the elephant back massage as well. All it takes is one stray mouse to turn you into a pancake!
-Jack
I think that stressing over something like going to get CT scan to make sure you don’t have cancer will just stress you out. And I don’t think stress is go for anyone. In fact I think if you are getting stressed out about getting check you are probably increasing your risks of getting cancer from the stress.
I’ll let an elephant give me a message any day!
I don’t really get what the elephant massage picture is for, but it’s funny lol!!
That would really be sad, if your paranoia over having cancer (or even your caution) would actually CAUSE you to have cancer. Sounds like something straight out of House.
I think I would be super scared if an Elephant had his foot on my back, no matter how trained the elephant is, i would be scared of it’s sheer weight accidentally tripping, etc.
Till then,
Jean
Hey there
You are right when you point out that everything needs to be done in morderation. Excess of anything is harmful.
Although the bad effects of CT scan, we still have to undergo it sometimes. My cousin had one done recently. She had a pretty bad injury in head.
But it didnot cost too much by the way.
Thanks
haha what a funny picture
I had one of these scans about 18 months ago. I was indeed, very nervous about
what the results would be. Everything was fine…but…I think one is
enough for me!
Full body crash by elephants will work better
Has anyone ever seen a study on a=how much radiation is actually bad for us? I would be a little worried to get a full body examine… Unless it was absolutely necessary.
A great technology. It really helps a lot.
Martin.
Not that it really pertains to the post but I saw on the Amazing race the people racing had to go through the same thing those people in the picture of your post are doing.. Pretty interesting.
Totally horrible scene when elephant put his leg on my back God no no
, but sure no one heard or seen such amazing tricks.
It seems to be a well working technology.
Thanks a lot for this interesting article.
You can not blame on your bestfriends! from that day on, they were no longer friends…
It seems very risky, last option for me because many risk free alternatives available here so i go with them for relaxation.
Body Scanning or Body Crushing
Lol… yeh true people hardly try to get relax, because snap seem quite risky.
That looks like a relaxing massage in the picture, ouch!
Wow, rather him than me!
I would say only brave people can try Elephnata method to get relax .
Yea I def dont have enough money to spend a couple of thousands to be able to get this….. I will do like the picture and have the elephant step on me