Have you scheduled your breast cancer screening, Jacksonville?

October 2011 marks the 25th National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Precision Imaging Centers sees hundreds of patients each month – not just in October – for breast cancer screening in Jacksonville, including digital mammography and MRI. Here are answers to a few of our most frequently asked questions about breast cancer screening:

What is the most reliable screening tool for breast cancer?
Digital mammography is a highly reliable and currently most available screening tool for early detection of breast cancer. MRIs, or magnetic resonance imaging screenings, are more thorough than traditional mammograms (though digital mammograms are close). But they are more expensive and often detect benign growths. Because of this, MRIs often are not covered by insurance companies. The best advice is to get an annual digital mammogram beginning at age 40. If a possible cancerous growth is detected, your doctor may request further screening via MRI.

Who should get breast cancer screening?
Jacksonville physicians highly recommend getting a mammogram each year beginning at age 40 or earlier if you have certain risk factors. These factors include a history of breast disease; family history of breast cancer; an alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes; having begun menstruating before age 12; a first pregnancy after age 25 or 35 or having no children; and the use of HRT (hormone replacement therapy).

Will insurance pay for mammograms?
The U.S. government’s Medicare and Medicaid programs and most private health insurance plans do cover regular mammograms. You’ll need to check your insurance policies for any restrictions or individual policy details.

If it’s time for your mammogram, contact Precision Imaging Centers in Jacksonville at 904-996-8100 or via our online appointment request feature. We offer early morning, late night and weekend breast cancer screening services to accommodate your busy schedule. PIC also accepts most major insurance programs and offers state-of-the-art screening services for much less than you or your insurer will play in hospital setting.

Women are recommended to undergo a mammogram at age 40, a colonoscopy at 50 and bone density test at 65.

May 8-14 is National Women’s Health Week. Are you aware of the top recommended diagnostic imaging tests for women, Jacksonville? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, along with health organizations nationwide, highly recommends that women of certain ages undergo three diagnostic imaging tests. Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers offers each of these tests and tips for what to expect:

1. Bone Density Test: Jacksonville women can find out whether they are at risk for osteoporosis with a bone density test, also known as a DXA (dual-energy X-ray). Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones that affects nearly 10 million older Americans. A full 80 percent of them are women, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Women can lose upwards of 30 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause, so it’s recommended that women get bone density tests at age 65 and every five years thereafter. Tests are especially important for women who weigh less than 127 pounds, have ever smoked, have had non-traumatic fractures as an adult or have a family history of osteoporosis.
2. Mammogram: Jacksonville women 40 and older should have a mammogram once a year, as well as a breast ultrasound or MRI if a calcium deposit or mass is spotted. If tests determine that a lump is a solid mass, a biopsy is the next step. Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer when it’s confined to the breast. When diagnosed at this stage, 97 percent of women survive without a recurrence for at least five years, according to statistics gathered by the American Cancer Society.
3. Colonoscopy: Ok, Jacksonville women. We know this one ain’t no fun. But it’s important. And it doesn’t have to be quite as uncomfortable an issue as it once was. A colonoscopy can detect colorectal cancer even before symptoms occur. An optical colonoscopy involves the insertion of a long, flexible tube outfitted with a tiny camera into the patient’s anus and gently gliding it into the rectum and through the colon. In the less invasive virtual colonoscopy, a tube is inserted into the anus, but not advanced into the rectum. Instead, the tube fills the colon with air and a CT scan is performed to create virtual images of the colon. This less invasive procedure can prove just as effective in detecting polyps as an optical colonoscopy. That’s important because, when caught in its early stage, colorectal cancer is more than 90 percent curable.

To schedule your diagnostic imaging tests, contact Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers at 904-996-8100 or via our online appointment scheduling feature.

It’s one of those things no one looks forward to – the doctors’ recommendation of a colonoscopy. Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers knows that this procedure is one that patients dread. But we’ve got good news. Advances in technology have made the colonoscopy a less invasive procedure for many.

A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows a gastroenterologist to examine and evaluate the inside of the colon (also called the large bowel). This is done via two types of colonoscopies. Jacksonville patients have the choice between an optical and a virtual procedure. In the traditional optical colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist inserts a long, flexible tube called a “colonoscope” into the patient’s anus and gently glides into the rectum and through the colon. The colonoscope has a thickness about the size of a finger and outfitted with a tiny camera that captures video images of the patient’s inner colon lining. Images are transmitted to a television monitor for viewing by the gastroenterologist and other physicians.

In a virtual colonoscopy, a small tube is inserted into the anus, but not advanced into the rectum. Instead, the tube injects and fills the colon with air. A CT scan is performed and images are manipulated by the computer software to create virtual images of the colon. Though both types of procedures typically involve some discomfort (often described as a bloated feeling), the virtual colonoscopy is less invasive and pressure is less intense.

With a properly performed virtual colonoscopy, Jacksonville patients can be assured results that are just as conclusive and effective as those delivered by an optical colonoscopy. In fact, virtual colonoscopies often catch tiny polyps hiding behind folds in the lining of the colon that optical colonoscopies miss. However, a virtual colonoscopy is less effective than an optical colonoscopy in detecting polyps smaller than 5mm and flat or non-protruding polyps and cancers. Also, a virtual colonoscopy cannot remove polyps. So, if they’re found, a patient may still have to undergo an optical colonoscopy as well.

Your physician can help decide which type of colonoscopy is best for you. And Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers can perform either, as well as additional gastrointestinal imaging exams that may further support the results of your colonoscopy. These include ultrasound, MRI, PET scan or digital radiology procedures. If your doctor has recommended a colonoscopy, contact Jacksonville’s most comprehensive imaging specialists at 904-996-8100 or via our online appointment scheduling form.

Valentine’s Day has hearts all a flutter. So what better time for a Presidential Proclamation to declare American Heart Month than February? If your doctor has recommended a cardiac CTA, Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers has a few heart-healthy tips to keep your ticker going strong.

The statistics are less than heartwarming. According the AHA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control:

Heart disease is the number one killer of adults in the United States, killing about a half million people each year;

• Each year, more than a million Americans have heart attacks and one victim out of three dies;
• 90% of Women have one or more risk factors that can lead to heart disease;
• More than 82 million American adults – one in three people – are estimated to have one or more types of cardiovascular disease;
• Each day, about 2,200 Americans die of cardiovascular disease. That’s an average of one death every 39 seconds;
• Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death among women 20 and older, killing about one woman every minute — a more than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.

The best way to assess your heart health risk is to get a cardiac CTA. Jacksonville-area patients of Precision Imaging Centers who undergo cardiac CTAs get the top-rated screening and diagnostic standard of care featured on national television during medical segments of Oprah and Good Morning America. Our center uses the combined diagnostic results from a Cardiac CT Angiography, a cardiac MRI and PET/CT scans to provide the most comprehensive cardiac examination possible. We rank among leading hospitals nationwide in examining and evaluating the extent of coronary artery disease and the resulting heart function.

If your doctor recommends a cardiac CTA, Jacksonville, ask for a referral to Precision Imaging Centers, where you’ll get exceptional care for up to 90% less than you’ll pay at a hospital for comparable exams. Plus, we’re open early mornings, late evenings and weekends to accommodate your busy schedule. Call 904-996-8100 or make an appointment online today.

According to a 2008 poll by Harris Interactive, 14% of Americans have at least one tattoo – an important factor if you’re planning to undergo an MRI. That’s because tattoo inks of certain colors can contain materials that are susceptible to the strong magnetic fields used in MRI scans. Even the size and shape of your tattoo can interfere with your MRI and cause damage to your skin, particularly if your tattoo is an older one.

If you plan to undergo an MRI scan, be sure to tell your physician and MRI technician about all of your tattoos and permanent makeup.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machines use powerful magnets and radio frequency waves to locate tumors and other abnormalities within the human body. The dye used in older and darker tattoo inks (especially red and black) may contain tiny particles of iron or other metals. Metal, of course, is magnetic and able to conduct electricity. As a result, loops of electrical current are induced when the magnetic fields of an MRI scan rapidly change during the imaging process. And any time an electrical current is flowing, metallic materials such as iron can get extremely hot – enough to cause first and second-degree burns in rare cases. Circular tattoo designs are particularly bothersome. They can act as antennas and get increasingly hotter as the ink pigments pick up magnetic energy.

Tattoos placed near the eyes or lips are of particular concern because those areas are especially sensitive to excess heat. Though it’s generally not thought of as tattooing, permanent makeup is just that – tattooing of the lips, eyelids and eyebrows in favored cosmetic colors. Although these are smaller than typical decorative tattoos, they are susceptible to the magnetic and electrical currents produced by MRI scans.

Much progress has been made in the area of tattoo safety over the past few decades. Because there currently are no FDA-approved tattoo inks, determining the chemicals used in your tattoo can be difficult. However, if you received your tattoo 20 years ago or earlier, the metal content of the ink may be higher than that found in more recent tattoos. Fortunately, tattoos do not appear to degrade the image that an MRI scan produces. And severe burns are rare. Most tattooed patients who experience pain or discomfort can be treated with a cold compress to the affected skin.

If you plan to undergo an MRI scan, be sure to tell your doctor and MRI technician about all of your tattoos and permanent makeup. However, your healthcare providers and MRI technicians can evaluate the risks and assure you a safe and comfortable experience. To learn more, contact Precision Imaging Centers in Jacksonville, FL at 904-996-8011 or via our convenient online email form.

Going to the doctor can be scary enough for young children. So the idea of an X-Ray or MRI may prove particularly stressful. You see sophisticated equipment that can help identify risks to your child’s health. Your child, however, may simply see a big machine with laser-like lights strong enough to see through their skin and bones. Her perception of what it’s like to get an X-Ray or MRI can be intimidating. To help ease your child’s fears – and perhaps even make the experience a fun one – Precision Imaging Centers of Jacksonville offers these tips:

Precision Imaging Centers offers tips on making your child's X-Ray or MRI a fun experience.

• First, explain the process of an X-Ray or MRI to your child in simple terms. It’s best to do this shortly before the exam for younger children because they have shorter attention spans. Older children and teens will appreciate being given more time to understand and prepare themselves for the exam. They’ll likely want to search the Internet for information and feel that they are taking some charge of their own health.

• For younger children, role playing the process with a favorite doll or stuffed animal can help make the experience seem fun. Adding that element of fun can be incredibly comforting.

• Assure your child that getting an X-Ray or MRI will not hurt. An injection of IV contrast may be administered if your child is getting an MRI. You can explain that contrast is a little like Easter egg or T-shirt dye and it helps make the pictures brighter and easier for the doctor to see what’s going on inside your child’s body.

• Also explain that the knocking sound she hears during the MRI simply means that the machine is clicking away the pictures. Some children worry that the sound means the machine is broken.

• Encourage your child to speak up if she has any questions or concerns. Let her know that it’s okay to talk with the doctor herself – and be sure you choose a doctor who has a warm and comforting bedside manner. Most of all, make sure your child understands that getting an X-Ray or MRI doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong – it’s just a check to help make sure that her body stays healthy and happy.

• Plan a reward for your child afterward, such as a trip to the ice cream shop, the play park or a movie. This will encourage her to be cooperative and feel proud that she helped the doctor and contributed to her good health.

If your child’s pediatrician recommends an X-Ray or MRI, let them know you’d like to be referred to Precision Imaging Centers. We offer early morning, late evening and weekend hours for those with busy schedules. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment rivals that of leading hospitals nationwide and we’re able to offer services for as much as 90% less that hospital pricing for comparable exams. Make an appointment online or call 904-996-8100 to talk with a diagnostic imaging specialist today.

For 26 years, October has been celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Precision Imaging Centers want to know: Have you or the women you love had your digital mammogram yet? The American Cancer Society and American College of Radiology recommends screening breast exams using MRI for all women in a high-risk group, such as those with family histories of breast cancer. And to help make sure that women don’t forego mammograms for fear of financial troubles, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently issued new interim regulations that require private health insurers to cover preventative and early detection services with no cost sharing or copays in health insurance policies issued after September 23, 2010. The new regulations include annual mammography services for women age 40 and older.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Have you or the women you love scheduled a digital mammogram?

Jacksonville-based PIC offers the most comprehensive imaging for breast studies for early detection of breast tissue. We use cutting-edge imaging technology and we employ top notch, board-certified radiologists and highly qualified sub specialists. Our digital mammography services include both screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms. Screening mammograms do not require a physician’s referral and are recommended for women 40 years of age or older and for younger women with a history of fibrocystic breasts, breast tenderness, a previous benign biopsy, nipple discharge or a family history of breast cancer. For diagnostic mammograms, we do require that you consult with your healthcare provider first. These are for women who have abnormal mammogram or probably benign radiographic findings, for women with a personal history of breast disease and for specific clinical concerns such as lumps or lesions.

We know that mammograms are not exactly a walk in the park. So, we make getting your digital mammogram as comfortable an experience a possible. Our ladies’ lounge areas have changing rooms with plush bath robes and lockers to secure your belongings and we use mammogram soft pads to create a warmer, softer surface between your breast and the imaging equipment. We know that the wait for information can be stressful too, so we get your mammogram and other imaging results to you and your doctor usually within four hours. To accommodate your busy schedule, Precision Imaging Centers is open from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays, 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. When possible, we are happy to accommodate same-day and next day appointments.

More than 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Nearly 40,000 of them will die. However, 98 percent of breast cancer patients survive at least five years when cancer is discovered early, compared to just 23 percent diagnosed after cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Don’t skip a service that could save your life. To schedule your screening mammogram, call Precision Imaging Centers at 904-996-8100 or use our convenient online appointment request feature.

Precision Imaging Centers offers top-line Cardiac CTA, Cardiac MRI and PET/CT diagnostic scans to help keep your heart healthy.

At Precision Imaging Centers, we’re about more than producing the images that will help you and your doctors keep you healthy. We’re about helping you imagine healthier living too. So BEFORE you need a Cardiac CTA, cardiac MRI or PET/CT scan, we offer these heart-healthy tips in honor of World Heart Day September 26:

1. Skip the saturated fat, processed foods and high salt-content snacks. Instead, opt for healthier selections like fruits, veggies and unsalted nuts.
2. Get going. Just 30 minutes of vigorous activity such as a brisk walk, swim or game of tennis can help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
3. Break the habit. Your risk of coronary heart disease is slashed in half within a year of your quitting smoking for good. Stick with it and your risk could fall back to normal, non-smoker levels with time.
4. Clear the Smoke. Insist on a smoke-free environment in your home and at your workplace. Support the adoption of smoking cessation programs and encourage your employer to provide help to coworkers committed to quitting tobacco. Just remind him that smokers are absent from 50% more than non-smoking employees; that health and fire insurance premiums can be 35% lower for smoke-free businesses; and disability and early retirement payments can be cut by up to 75% as smoking contributes to nearly three fourths of early retirements.
5. Obtain and maintain a healthy weight for healthy blood pressure levels. High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major factor for nearly half of all heart disease and stroke combined.
6. Know your numbers. Check and track important health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio. Talk with your healthcare provider about developing a heart-healthy plan tailored to your particular health needs.
7. Limit your alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol intake can cause you to pack on pounds and raise your blood pressure.
8. Make work a workout. If you live close enough, cycle or walk to work. Take the stairs and go for a brisk walk during your lunch break. Remember to stretch for a few minutes during your regular breaks.
9. Learn to de-stress. Excessive stress can contribute to or exacerbate risk factors to stroke and coronary disease.
10. Be proactive. If you experience symptoms associated with coronary disease or have a lifestyle that includes risk factors for stroke or heart attack, make an appointment or ask your doctor to refer you to Precision Imaging Centers for a cardiac CT Angiograpy, cardiac MRI or PET/CT scan.

Our state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities are second to none in Northeast Florida and have been featured in medical segments of multiple national TV programs including Oprah and Good Morning America. Combined results from our Cardiac CTA, cardiac MRI and PET/CT scans give your physician a full assessment of your heart’s health allowing for the most targeted and effective treatment possible. To learn more, visit Precision Imaging Center’s website or call 904-996-8100.

Cheerleading is the #1 cause of high school injuries today.

Back to school can be fun for students – and a bit dangerous for student athletes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 300,000 student athletes suffer concussions from school sports activities each year. Most require only observational testing, but others can require an MRI or CT. Jacksonville students luckily have Precision Imaging Centers close by.

A concussion happens when the brain hits the skull as the result of a hard hit on the football field or a fall in a failed cheerleading stunt. Two types of concussions exist: simple concussions and complex concussions. Both involve similar symptoms and signs including nausea, headache, short-term memory loss, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, slurred speech, impaired balance and aggressive or over-emotional personality changes, among others. The difference is that an athlete with a simple concussion will recover within seven to ten days and primarily will require rest. Complex concussions, however, can take several weeks or months to heal. Victims can have emotional outbursts or recurrences of symptoms associated with exercise.

Unfortunately, students, coaches and parents often fail to recognize symptoms of a concussion, particularly a complex concussion in a youth athlete who walks off the field and initially seems okay. That’s why it’s important for parents, coaches and fellow athletes to keep a close eye on a student who takes a hard lick. It’s important to know that female victims often have a tougher time recovering from concussions than do male victims and that cheerleading – not football or wresting as many might think -is the top cause of high school sports injuries today.

If you believe your child may have suffered a complex concussion, insist that your doctor order an MRI or CT at Jacksonville’s Precision Imaging Centers. We have top-notch physicians and diagnostic specialists and are conveniently located near the St. Johns Town Center. Our evening and weekend hours accommodate the busiest school and work schedules and our prices for scans and imaging exams including MRIs and CTs for Jacksonville area patients often are 80%-90% lower than hospital charges for similar exams. To find out more about scheduling your child for an MRI or CT, call Jacksonville’s top imaging professionals at 904-996-8100 or contact us via our convenient online email form today.

For harried, pressure-driven executives, health is more than a good idea – it’s an imperative for a competitive edge. That’s why Precision Imaging Centers offers comprehensive executive screening including MRI, Cat scans, PET/CT scans and Digital Ultrasound imaging to check for health issues common among management professionals.

Keep your company's competitive edge sharp by keeping your employees healthy with comprehensive executive screening services by Precision Imaging Centers.

Gone undiagnosed and untreated, health problems that are typical among those living in the C-suite can end up costing a company thousands in lost productivity when a manager or high-producing executive falls ill. Regular diagnostic screenings tailored specifically for executives and managers can detect existing and potential heart, respiratory and neurological problems caused or exacerbated by high-stress lifestyles. Working in tandem with a patient’s physician, Precision Imaging Centers offers customized comprehensive screening examinations based upon the patient’s medical and family history, lifestyle diet and career demands. Our cutting-edge technologies and highly experienced radiologists mean more definitive results, allowing for more effective health management.

In most cases, Precision Imaging Centers can save corporate clients up to 50% compared to average hospital charges for imaging services. Plus, mindful of the busy executive’s tight schedule, we offer early morning and late evening hours (7 a.m.-11 p.m. weekdays) and weekend appointments (Saturdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).  And physicians have access to secure, 24/7 online results and medical records.

Keep your company’s competitive edge sharp by keeping your executives healthy. Make an appointment at Precision Imaging Centers in Jacksonville’s Southside today.