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Whole-Body Computer Tomography (CT) Imaging

What is CT imaging? What is it used for?

CT stands for Computed Tomography. It can also be called CAT for Computerized Axial Tomography. CT imaging is a way of using x-rays to get "pictures" of the inside of the body. It may help to find disease or health problems.

What is Whole-Body CT Screening?

Some clinics offer a new use of CT called whole-body CT screening. It claims to find disease when people have no symptoms.

What Are the Risks and Benefits of Whole-Body CT Screening?

Possible Harm

• CT scans expose you to radiation. There is a small risk of getting cancer from radiation.
• The pictures might show something that is not really there. This may scare you for no reason.
• The pictures might show something unusual that turns out not to be a problem. This can also worry you for no reason.

Possible Benefit

A CT scan can help you if it shows something that is really a problem. If it finds a hidden, serious disease it can be helpful, but only if:

• There is a treatment that works.
• The disease is found early enough for you to use the treatment.

Should I have Whole-Body CT Screening?

No. You may be thinking about having a whole-body scan even if you have no symptoms. You might be thinking, "For my peace of mind, I just want to know that I don't have any diseases now."

You may have heard that a whole-body CT scan is a good idea for healthy people who have no symptoms. But the FDA does not agree.

The FDA Has Not Approved CT Screening for Healthy People

• The FDA has never approved CT scans for screening the whole body when there are no symptoms of health problems.
• Claims that FDA has approved whole-body screening are wrong.
• There is no proof that whole-body CT scans can find any health problems early enough for it to be treated or cured.
• There is no proof that a CT scan can stop serious illness or early death.

August 2005

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