CT Scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan is a painless imaging test that helps doctors diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions. CT scanning combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around your body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images or slices of the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside your body.
As a result, CT scan images offer more detailed information than plain X-rays do. Doctors use CT scanning to help diagnose disease and life-threatening illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer.
Heart Scan/Calcium Artery Scoring
Wondering if you’re at risk for heart disease? We offer a quick and painless test using a high speed CT scanner that can measure calcium deposits in the coronary arteries to determine your risk of having a heart attack.
Calcification in the coronary arteries is the earliest indication of heart disease. Calcium artery scoring is ideal for men over age 45 and women over age 55 who smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a family history of premature coronary artery disease.
The scan produces a score that identifies your level of calcium deposits. The greater the coronary calcium score, the larger the amount of plaque is in the artery wall, and the greater the risk of a heart attack.
Lung Cancer Screening
Silver Cross offers a quick, painless, and non-invasive low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer. The screening can detect nodules or spots on your lung that might be early indicators of lung cancer. It takes only a few minutes to have a scan which can potentially save your life. In fact, low-dose CT lung cancer screening can reduce the lung cancer death rate by 20%. At this time, only low dose CT scans are recommended for screening; chest X-rays are not effective.
Are You a Candidate?
If you meet the following criteria and don’t exhibit typical symptoms of lung cancer (such as cough, chest pain, weight loss), you’re a candidate for this screening.
Screening Criteria:
- 55 to 77 years old
- Smoked at least a pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years and a current smoker or have quit within the past 15 years
- Generally in good health
Covered by Medicare and Many Insurances
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services covers a lung cancer screening for eligible individuals ages 55 to 77 who are enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid. Most private insurance plans cover lung cancer screening for eligible individuals however, you should consult with your insurance provider about coverage.
Schedule a Screening
Start by making an appointment with your family doctor to discuss the potential benefits, limitations, and risks of having a Lung Cancer Screening. After reviewing and discussing the criteria for the Lung Cancer Screening, your physician will determine if you are a candidate.
To schedule a CT Low-Dose Lung Cancer Screening, obtain an order from your physician and call (815) 300-7076 to schedule an appointment at Silver Cross Hospital.
Other CT Services
- Abdomen
- Angiography
- Biopsies and Interventional Procedures
- Brain
- Cardiac CTA
- Chest
- Enterography
- Lung
- Neck
- Pelvis
- PET/CT Scan
- Urograms