A total or whole BODY CT scan creates images of nearly the entire body—from the chin to below the hips. This test has not been shown to have any value as a screening TOOL. (“Screening” means checking for signs of a disease when a person has no symptoms.)

The American College of Radiology (as well as most doctors) does not recommend scanning a person’s body on the chance of finding signs of any sort of disease. In most cases abnormal findings do not indicate a SERIOUS health problem; however, a person must often undergo more tests to find this out. The additional tests can be expensive, inconvenient, and UNCOMFORTABLE. The disadvantages of total body CT almost always outweigh the benefits.

A total or whole body CT scan creates images of nearly the entire body—from the chin to below the hips. This test has not been shown to have any value as a screening tool. (“Screening” means checking for signs of a disease when a person has no symptoms.)

The American College of Radiology (as well as most doctors) does not recommend scanning a person’s body on the chance of finding signs of any sort of disease. In most cases abnormal findings do not indicate a serious health problem; however, a person must often undergo more tests to find this out. The additional tests can be expensive, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. The disadvantages of total body CT almost always outweigh the benefits.