EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES

The goal of screening asymptomatic patients is to detect small tumors in their early stage when intervention may slow, reverse or cure the condition. Screening for breast cancer, lung nodules & colonic polyps has proven to save lives.  Pathways & MDI SCREENING CENTER offers the following screening diagnostic tests:

* No Need for IV Sedation
* Permits Visualization of the Entire Colon 
* No Risk of Injury
* state-of-the-art Screening
* Early Detection of Polyps & Cancer of the Colon

Colorectal cancer, a leading cause of cancer related deaths in the U.S. can be prevented if polyps & small growths are identified & removed early. Using a special high-speed Spiral CT Scanner, 2-D (and if necessary, 3D) multiplanar images of the colon are then reconstructed by a powerful computer & reviewed by a radiologist.

SCREENING CT OF THE LUNG

This high resolution, fast CT is able to scan the lung during a 30 second breath hold.  The test detects small lung nodules allowing early intervention which is critical to saving lives

RISK FACTORS

* Current or former smoker
* Personal or Family History of Lung Cancer
* Recurring inflammation of the lungs, i.e., pneumonia, tuberculosis

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MAMMOGRAPHY

The mortality rate of breast cancer has markedly decreased in the last few years as a result of increased surveillance & awareness of the necessity of mammography as a screening tool.  More cancers, when detected in their earlier stages, are resulting in interventions that are less deforming & offer a more favorable prognosis.

American Cancer Society Guidelines for Mammography:

* Age 20-39..............Consult your physician & perform monthly self-exams
* Age 40 & over.......Have a mammogram every year
* Perform monthly self-exam & clinical exam by a physician/nurse every year.

TOTAL BODY SCREENING (by means of CT or MRI)

The CT SCAN enables us to scan the entire body in a very short time using a high-resolution scanner with low dose radiation.  Early detection of tumors by means of MRI, is another imaging technique in which imaging of the body is provided in different planes with high resolution of the internal soft tissue organs.  MRI is done without radiation.

CORONARY CALCIFICATION SCORING

A non-invasive exam that detects & quantifies calcified plaque (narrowing) in the coronary arteries & is a predictor of the likelihood of a future heart attacks.  Although it is the leading cause of death in the U.S. many individuals have NO symptoms prior to their first heart attack.

RISK FACTORS FOR CORONARY DISEASE:
(American Heart Association)

* Men over 45
* Smoking
* Women over 55
* Diabetes
* Sedentary Life Style
* Obesity
* High Blood Pressure
* Family History of Coronary Disease
* Low HDL or Elevated LDL Cholesterol Level

If you have one or more risk factors, this test may be extremely important to you.  Early detection of calcified plaque can prompt preventive action to de-crease the risk of heart attacks or indicate the necessity for further testing.
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BONE DENSITY (DEXA)

Pathways provides the most sophisticated bone densitometer scanner available for the detection of osteoporosisÖthe Silent Disease.  The equipment is the fastest & most precise for measurement of bone mass using low dose x-rays.  A bone density exam is a safe & painless test used to evaluate your bone mineral content at various body sites (spine, hips, & wrist).  With the information obtained from the test, your doctor can predict the likelihood of future fractures & determine the most appropriate treatment.