Summer Wellness Checklist: Imaging Screenings You Shouldn't Skip

Between summer vacations, family plans, and long weekends, routine healthcare appointments can easily slide to the bottom of your priority list. 

But the slower pace of the warmer months is a perfect time to pause and make sure you’re up to date on your recommended screenings.

At Invision Sally Jobe, we offer several imaging exams that can identify health concerns before symptoms appear. You may not need every screening on this list, but now is a good time to talk with your healthcare provider about which ones apply to you.

Your annual mammogram

At Invision Sally Jobe, we support annual screening mammograms for all women aged 40 and older.

Mammography can detect breast cancer before you feel a lump or notice other symptoms. Depending on your breast density, family history, personal history, or overall risk, your provider may also recommend supplemental imaging, such as breast ultrasound or MRI. For every 8 women in the U.S., 1 will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. 

If your annual mammogram is due, don’t let summer plans push it into next year. Screening mammograms are one of Invision Sally Jobe's services, which you can self-schedule online.

Lung cancer screening, if you qualify

Lung cancer screening isn’t intended for everyone; it’s for people at higher risk because of their smoking history.

Current guidelines generally recommend annual low-dose CT screening for adults ages 50 to 80 who have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.

A lung cancer scan can find lung cancer before symptoms develop, when treatment may be more effective. If you aren’t sure whether your smoking history qualifies you, ask your healthcare provider.

A DEXA scan for bone health

Osteoporosis develops silently. You may not know your bones have weakened until you experience a fracture.

A DEXA scan measures bone density and helps estimate your fracture risk. Screening is generally recommended for women aged 65 and older. Postmenopausal women under 65 may also need testing if they have risk factors such as low body weight, smoking, long-term corticosteroid use, or a family history of osteoporosis.

Your bones don’t hurt as they lose density, which makes timely screening especially important.

Colorectal cancer screening

Most adults at average risk should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45.

While colonoscopy is one option, CT colonography offers a less invasive way to examine the colon and rectum for polyps or other abnormalities. It still requires bowel preparation, and you’ll need a traditional colonoscopy if the exam reveals a concerning finding.

For people who prefer an imaging-based screening option, CT colonography may be worth discussing with their provider.

Coronary artery calcium screening

We use a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan to look for calcified plaque in the arteries that supply blood to your heart.

This isn’t a routine screening for every adult. It may be useful when your risk of heart disease falls into a gray area, particularly if you and your provider are deciding whether cholesterol-lowering medication would benefit you.

Factors such as age, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and family history may influence that decision. A CAC score can add another piece of information to the conversation.

Make summer your midyear health check

Preventive screenings work best when you complete them before symptoms give you a reason to worry.

At Invision Sally Jobe, our experienced radiologists and technologists provide advanced imaging in a compassionate, patient-centered environment. We offer:

• Mammography
• Lung screening
• DEXA scans
• CT colonography
• Coronary artery calcium screening
• Other diagnostic imaging services at select locations

Not every screening is right for every person, so start by talking with your healthcare provider. If you need imaging screening, call us at 720-493-3700 to book an appointment at one of our Colorado locations.  We can help you check the appropriate exams off your summer wellness list.