Patients prefer whole body imaging.

• Position: Detection - Diagnosis by scanning - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Americans are turning to whole body imaging as the optimum picture of health in early disease detection. According to a study sponsored by Open Systems Imaging (OSI), Palm Desert, Calif., more than 63% of respondents consider body scanning to be an effective tool for early disease detection in seemingly healthy people. "Whole body imaging is a noninvasive diagnostic tool that allows the physician to look at the internal organs to determine the risk of life-threatening disease, such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and aneurysms, before the patient experiences any symptoms," notes Stuart May, co-medical director of OSI.

More than 55% believe that body scanning should become part of an annual physical exam. If given the choice, slightly more than 50% would select a virtual colonoscopy procedure for detecting...