Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women. Early diagnosis can change this. The 5 year survival rate for localized, early colon cancer is 90%. Unfortunately, only 39% of colon cancers are diagnosed at early stages due to inadequate, or lack of screening.

Virtual Colonoscopy at Front Range Endorses an Easier Alternative!
The American Cancer Society stated that virtual colonoscopies, or CTC, are one of the best primary screening tests for colon cancer risk.  Several insurance companies are now covering the screening procedure.

Why Virtual Colonoscopy is the Best Choice for Primary Colorectal Cancer Screening

1. Accuracy – Virtual finds cancers inside as well as outside the colon

2. Safety – Virtual eliminates unnecessary invasive procedures.

3. Statistically- Fewer than 8% of people need a referral to go on for an optical or conventional colonoscopy.

4. Virtual provides the surgeon with an exact  ” road map”  shold polyps need removal.

5. No sedation, no dyes, okay to stay on anti-coagulant therapies

6.  Takes about 20 minutes

7. Easier, at-home prep

8. Costs less.

Steve’s first heart scan showed some coronary calcium.  The scan also showed a small nodule on his lung.  These “incidental” findings are not unusual with an EBT heart scan.  Although the focus of the scan is the heart, the entire upper chest cavity is viewable.  Sometimes other things show up.  It was suggested that Steve consult a pulmonologist about the finding, which he did.  Steve had been a smoker, but quit 20 years ago. He was assured, by the pulmonologist, that the nodule was “nothing to worry about, it was fine.”

Fortunately Steve’s doctor was a believer in serial EBT heart scans.  When Steve came back for his second EBT scan to check on his calcium score, he received mixed reviews.  The good news was that his plaque was now stable.  The bad news was that the lung nodule had grown bigger.  A thorasic surgeon removed the nodule.  It was localized lung cancer.

Today, 5 years and 4 heart scans later, Steve’s coronary plaque is stable and he is cancer free.  He will tell you that, if it had not been for the series of EBT heart scans, “one of those things would have gotten me by now.”

Hello everyone, may name is Anne.  I had my first heart scan 14 years ago following the sudden death of my brother at just 51 years of age.  I’ve since had scans done on a regular basis.  In my case, my calcium score increased over time. Each time, my doctor would adjust my medications, diet, and exercise programs until we found a treatment program that worked for me, not the national statistics.  I was elated when my most recent heart scan showed no further progression of coronary plaque burden.

But my story continues.  In August, 2006, my very healthy, fit, slender, former marathon-runner husband, Tom, died of a sudden heart attack.  He walked his usual 6 daily miles that day.  He had no symptoms.  He had always been the picture of health, he never smoked. I am still absorbing the shock and terrible loss.

We later learned that his arteries were badly blocked, even though his cholesterol and blood pressure had always been perfectly normal.  He had no risk factors.  How could this happen to him? He had been healthy and an athlete his entire life!

If Tom had just had an EBT heart scan, those blockages would have been evident and I believe his life would have been saved.   But, there was “no reason” for him to have a scan.  He was so “healthy”.  Getting a heart scan for Tom didn’t have any sense of urgency.

Since Tom’s death, I have made it my personal mission to talk to people about heart scans when I talk about him.  I am amazed at how little people know about heart scans.  This is a simple, non-invasive test that can be performed over a lunch hour.  I think it is very short-sighted on the part of insurance companies that, in most cases, they do not cover this test.  It is such a small price to pay, less than $500, for a diagnosis that saves lives.  I would have gladly paid much, much more.

We understand the value of mammograms and colonoscopies as screening tools to maintain good health.  Regular heart scans, for everyone, must also be added to that list, regardless of the cost.

“I figured I would be talking to a cardiologist at some point in my life, but I thought it would be when I was 75, not now.”

“At my doctor’s urging, I had an EBT heart scan on Oct 21, 2008.  I was 54.  I was told that anything urgent would be reported to my doctor that day.  If nothing was urgent, I would see a report at the end of the week.  One hour later, my doctor’s office was calling to schedule a stress test.  That test was done on Oct. 27^th.  An hour after getting back to my office, the cardiologist called to get me in to see him the next morning.  He recommended a cardiac catherization.  I asked when, he said, “This afternoon”. It was Oct.28^th. My LAD was 99% blocked.  I got 3 stents.

The “Widow Maker” The “Widow Maker”

I have since learned that my blockage is called the “widow maker”.  I had no symptoms.  I am active and in a gym 3 to 4 times a week.  I never had any chest pain or shortness of breath even while on the ellipticals or the stair masters.  Nor did I have any indications during my weight lifting sessions.  The EBT Heart Scan set in motion getting a lurking problem discovered and treated.  If I hadn’t had that EBT scan, I would be headed right for a life-ending heart attack.  As it is, I am still in the gym, doing what I like to do.   I just wanted to extend my sincere heartfelt thanks.”

“Your first calcium score shows your risk.   

Your second calcium score saves your life.” 

      The first time you get an EBT heart scan, you will get your calcium score.  It is a very valuable piece of information. This number is your baseline and what you want to either keep the same, or ideally lower, each year.  When either happens, plaque is considered “stable”.  Stable plaque does not rupture and your chances for a coronary event are greatly reduced.

The REST of Lisa’s Story

Lisa looked like a very healthy mother of 2 at age 49.  Actually, she was a physician’s dream: low cholesterol, low blood pressure, great weight and diet; all far below national guidelines.  Except for her mother’s heart disease at age 70, Lisa, herself, had no risk factors. Then Lisa decided to use her gift certificate for an EBT Heart Scan. Her calcium score was 264.  This score meant that, left untreated, Lisa was going to have a heart attack, the only question was when.  Further tests showed a 95% blockage in her major coronary artery that required 2 stents to open it.

Lisa’s Second Heart Scan

For the next year, Lisa closely followed her treatment regimen.  Her cholesterol and blood pressure got even better, even farther below the national suggested guidelines.  At her second EBT Heart Scan, Lisa found out that her calcium score had risen by 21%. This meant Lisa’s body was still laying down dangerous amounts of plaque in her arteries.  Despite her great lab results and the 2 stents, Lisa was still at risk for a coronary event. Her doctor changed her medications, added high dose omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamin D3.  

Third Scan was The Charm 2 years after her surgery, Lisa got her third EBT heart scan.  This time, her calcium score had lowered by 2%!  Lisa’s risk for coronary disease was now relatively equal to that of someone with a calcium score of zero.  The crucial lesson to learn here is that Lisa and her Doctor did not rely solely on mere lab results and national guidelines to assess Lisa’s progress.  They repeated EBT scans. They were aggressive in monitoring Lisa’s progress and tailoring treatment to Lisa’s individual needs and response to her individualized treatment. 

Serial Scans

Recent scientific data documents the fact that if a patient is treated to stability of plaque, their risk of a coronary event can approach zero. Plaque stability is defined as a calcium score that does not rise by more than 14% per year. The only way that you can see if this is happening is to get a second EBT heart scan. Again, the only way to tell if plaque is stable is to get another EBT heart scan and compare calcium scores.

It Has to be EBT.

There are other heart scan technologies available that give you a calcium score.  The problem with them, however, is that they do this at 1/3 the accuracy and 3 times the radiation of an EBT heart scan.  With up to a 42% variance in scan to scan accuracy with other technologies, it is impossible to get any useful follow-up data.  Insist on an EBT heart scan. It will save your life.