September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to celebrate greeting the advance of time with greater health and vitality, thanks in part to tremendous advances in medicine.
One of the greatest boons to healthy aging is medical imaging, which plays a bigger role in daily health than many people realize. Not that long ago, many health concerns, such as body and head pain, digestive issues and growths/cysts required exploratory surgery for answers. Today, an array of highly sophisticated imaging procedures, each with unique strengths that can be customized to a patient’s symptoms and health profile, are used to diagnose a spectrum of diseases and disorders, from injuries to infection to cancer. Additionally, Interventional Radiology provides minimally invasive solutions for many health issues without the risk, pain and lengthy recovery associated with open surgery.
The Value of Routine Screenings
Most Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are living longer than their parents did, and one of the key reasons is the availability and precision of regular health screenings. The ability to discover life-threatening diseases earlier than ever – even before symptoms appear – has proven to save lives. Examples include:
Mammography Screening – Discovering cancer before it has a chance to spread is a major factor in beating cancer. According to data shared by the CDC, mammography screenings have reduced breast cancer mortality among women ages 50-69 by roughly 39%. It is recommended by the American College of Radiology (ACR) that women of average risk begin annual screenings at the age of 40 and women with increased risk factors should consult with their doctor to evaluate if screening should begin earlier than 40. For women who have been advised that they have an elevated lifetime risk greater than 20% for breast cancer, Breast MRI is an additional screening, helping to provide peace of mind.
Colorectal Cancer Screening – People at average risk of colon cancer should have regular colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 45. While most people dread the prep and inconvenience of colonoscopy screening, this procedure is used not only to discover polyps, but also remove them before they have a chance to turn cancerous, making it a preventive treatment. If no cancer is detected, most people don’t need another exam for 10 years.
Low-dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) – Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the US, but often produces no symptoms until it’s too late to treat. Because the majority of lung cancer cases occur in long-term smokers, lung cancer screening is recommended for people ages 50 and older who currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years. Unlike chest x-rays, quick, noninvasive LDCT has proven to save the lives of asymptomatic patients by identifying early changes in the lung, enabling localized treatment. With your clinician’s referral, LDCT may be 100% covered by insurance. If you smoke or once did, talk to your healthcare provider about your risk and if LDCT should be included in your annual care.
Prostate Cancer Screening – Men with elevated or rising PSA levels may be eligible for an MRI prostate scan, which can discover cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages. Ask your clinician if noninvasive, radiation-free, high-field MRI testing from RAO is right for your case.
Bone Density Testing – Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measures bone health and the presence of osteoporosis, a primary cause of fracture. This painless 10-20-minute scan identifies bone loss so that needed treatment can be employed to help reduce the incidence of fracture. For people at average risk, DEXA is recommended for:
Women age 65 and older
Men age 70 and older
People at increased risk of osteoporotic fracture should talk to their clinician about whether earlier DEXA testing might be right for them. Risk factors include:
Caucasian race
Personal or family history of fracture
Cigarette smoking
High alcohol intake
Poor nutrition/being underweight
Early menopause (before age 45)
Low estrogen
Sedentary lifestyle
RAO offers DEXA testing at our Women’s Imaging Center and TimberRidge Imaging Center.
Radiology Treats Many Diseases Quickly and Safely
When an imaging exam discovers a disease or disorder, many Interventional Radiology procedures can be employed to treat them with minimal invasion and a faster, easier recovery. RAO’s Center for Vascular Heath offers these and other therapeutic services:
Pain injections, nerve blocks and compression fracture treatments
Arterial catheterizations
Uterine artery embolization (UFE)
Varicose vein treatment
Tumor treatment
Arterial evaluation
Living Longer and Well
Of course, no health-supporting regimen is complete without commonsense steps, like eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and engaging in stress management techniques. The fourth step is committing to early discovery of disease so appropriate treatment can be employed right away. RAO’s team of Board-certified physicians is your dedicated partner for many important health screenings, as well as comprehensive diagnostic imaging and effective interventional care.
