Whole Body Preventative Screening
CMI offers a comprehensive, non-invasive health screening program. We use state-of-the-art MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technology to scan your body and generate highly accurate images of your vital organs and systems.
In less than 60 minutes, 2000+ detailed images are collected and then screened for the early detection of lesions, tumours, anomalies and such life-threatening illnesses as aneurysm, stroke, cancer and vascular disease. These sophisticated images allow our radiologists to identify suspect areas with a high degree of probability, thus increasing the potential for the early detection of life-threatening and treatable conditions.
Early detection of any disease or issue is critical, allowing both the patient and physician to make vital healthcare decisions before symptoms arise, while treatment options are at their best.
In contrast to other whole body MRI imaging programs in Vancouver, our Health Screening Program was developed by radiologists who are based at internationally respected teaching hospitals and who specialize in the areas being examined. CMI’s Whole Body MRI scan concentrates on those areas which have been well documented to yield the most benefit from early detection. While not every cancer benefits from early detection, many do, such as renal cell carcinoma, liver cancer & certain gynecological cancers. In addition, whole body MRI screening focuses on life-threatening illnesses such as aneurysm, stroke, and vascular disease without exposing the patient to any harmful ionizing radiation.
The principle areas on which our screening program focuses are as follows:
1. Aneurysm screening
Both brain and abdominal aneurysms (AAA) continue to have a very high mortality when they rupture but, when detected, there are evolving, minimally invasive techniques available for treatment. When AAA’s are repaired electively, the overall mortality rate is 0.9 to 5%. If repair is delayed until rupture, mortality rates as high as 75% are reported. In aneurysms 4-5 cm in diameter, the risk of rupture is almost 25%, with an associated mortality rate as high as 75%.
2. Kidney
Kidney tumours generally display consistent growth patterns (but are generally asymptomatic). When they are detected early, they have a very good prognosis (if detected in stage 1, there is a 90-95% 5 year survival rate vs. stage 4 which has a 5% 5 year survival rate).
3. Compression fractures of the spine
Compression fractures of the spine are a cause of progressive impairment when undetected and untreated.
4. Pelvic screening
Ovarian cancer is often asymptomatic until its later stages and is associated with high mortality when discovered at an advanced stage. Early detection is critical to survival improvement.
5. Pancreatic Disease
Thorough evaluation for pancreatic disease, including both inflammatory processes and malignancy (cancer).
6. Liver lesion detection
With diffusion weighted MR imaging, CMI’s open bore, high field strength magnet provides state of the art techniques to detect small liver lesions not offered routinely in hospital practices. Small lesions become more apparent using this advanced technique and the lesions that are uncovered will be evaluated thoroughly when required. This is particularly of value for those with known chronic liver disease.
7. Biliary diseases
Gallstones and other abnormalities of the gallbladder and bile ducts are evaluated exquisitely using MRI. This is the best non-invasive way of evaluating the biliary tree.
Does this mean that whole body MRI screening is able to identify every issue within your body?
Absolutely not. As with all medical examinations, it has its recognized limitations.
Whole body MRI does not have the capability to effectively diagnose coronary artery disease or evaluate the lungs for cancer (all of which are better done with CT). In addition, as a screening tool it is not optimal for the diagnosis of early colon or prostate cancer. It is also important to recognize that while whole body MRI screening has the potential to uncover a cancerous finding early, this does not guarantee that the cancer found will react successfully to treatment.
Each whole body scan performed at CMI is double-read by Board Certified radiologists who specialize in the areas they are reporting. Should a scan detect an area of concern, that concern will be discussed by one of our radiologists directly with the designated primary care physician and a follow-up plan will be recommended as required.
Many life-threatening diseases can be conquered with early detection. CMI’s Preventative Health Screening Program is a wise investment.
William Taylor
May 5th, 2011
Does your MRI preventative screen undertake an evaluation of visceral fat, since this has relevance to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease?
see study Obes Rev. 2011 May;12(5):e504-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00824.x. Epub 2011 Feb 23.
Assessment of abdominal adipose tissue and organ fat content by magnetic resonance imaging.
jenny
May 25th, 2011
I have numerous problem with my health including: ulcer, fibromyalgia, degenerative dics, arthritis etc, pain in left hand (I did ultra-sound and x-ray but couldn’t find anything. however, I am in pain 24/7). what would you recommend? whole body MRI?
Kim
June 1st, 2011
Thank you very much for your questions Jenny. While whole body MRI is an excellent screening tool for the asymptomatic patient wanting to learn more about their overall health, it is not an appropriate exam for someone who has symptoms such as yourself. For a patient with specific symptoms or concerns, a dedicated scan in the area(s) of concern is the best course of action to ensure the highest level of diagnostic confidence.
We would be pleased to discuss with you what areas might be most appropriate for a dedicated MRI (degenerative discs, pain in your left hand) at your earliest convenience.
Warm regards,
Kim Pawlak
Medical Education Director
Debbie
October 1st, 2011
What is the cost of a Whole Body MRI?
Kim
October 3rd, 2011
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for the inquiry. The cost of a Whole Body MRI is $2,450.
If you have any other questions, please email us at info@canmagnetic.com or give us a call at 1-877-268-8530.
Warm regards,
Kim Pawlak
Medical Education Director
Byrn
October 14th, 2011
How does your whole body MRI compare to False Creek or Aim Medical Imaging? Prices are all identical, but False Creek has the 3T and Aim provides instant diagnosis. How does one decide?
Kim
October 17th, 2011
Thank you for your question. When making the decision where to have your MRI, price unfortunately is the least important factor as not all MRI scans are of equal quality. Whatever the price charged, what you are purchasing is the diagnostic confidence in the results of your scan To ensure diagnostic confidence, CMI scans are read by radiologists based at internationally respected teaching hospitals, who specialize in the specific area of the body being imaged. In addition, CMI continually invests in state of the art hardware and software to provide our radiologists with the quality images they require to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Our whole body MRI scan protocol (which is proprietary and we believe differs significantly from AIM or False Creek) collects more than 2000 detailed images of the body. These images are carefully reviewed by two teaching hospital based radiologists who specialize in the area scanned for the early detection of lesions, tumours, anomalies and such life-threatening illnesses as aneurysm, stroke, cancer and vascular disease. To ensure diagnostic confidence, the process of accurately reviewing and reporting on these images takes several hours. In short, providing an immediate diagnosis does not support the thorough approach that we believe is critical to ensure the accuracy your results.
The 3 Tesla magnet is an excellent scanner. However claims that it provides images with “unprecedented detail” (meaning better diagnostic confidence) are false. The gold standard for imaging worldwide is the 1.5 Tesla magnet. The vast experience and clinical applications associated with the 1.5 magnet render it the primary choice of magnet for clinics and hospitals around the world. We do not believe using a 3T scanner provides any measurable advantage over our whole body screening protocol.
Thank you again for your enquiry. Should wish additional information or wish to discuss these matters further please do not hesitate to contact us.
Matthew
January 21st, 2013
Is it common (and, for that matter, wise) for a person in their late 20s that is in relatively good health to invest in a full body MRI? I have always wanted the peace of mind of having one done, but I’m not sure if this would be foolish/unnecessary. Thanks!
Kim
January 22nd, 2013
Thanks very much for your question. A whole body MRI is best suited for individuals who are in good health and asymptomatic (without symptoms) wanting to gain greater insight into their overall health. Our protocol is specifically designed to look at areas in the body that have been proven to benefit from early detection and where MRI is an appropriate imaging modality. Therefore while it shows great benefit for detecting certain diseases/illnesses within the body, it does have limititations as to what can be visualized, as does any whole body protocol, regardless of the clinic where you are imaged. We typically see patients in their 30-50′s having a whole body MRI, as this correlates well with the age at which these specific issues may begin to present. It’s not that having a whole body MRI at your age would be foolish in any way, but perhaps a little early for it to offer its best value for peace of mind. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to message me directly.
Warm regards,
Kim Pawlak
Medical Education Director
kpawlak@canmagnetic.com