Accessible Health Scans from Scan.com

Stay healthier for longer with Accessible Health Scans from Scan.com

As you age, it’s natural to become more mindful of your health and the steps you can take to maintain it. It’s also important to take action as soon as you notice something that doesn’t feel right.

This is because increased age is a known risk factor for a range of health conditions from arthritis to neurodegeneration, and even some cancers. However, recent statistics from Age UK showed that 45% of older people were concerned about their ability to access their GP, and 40% felt they did not have enough support to manage their health.

With NHS waiting lists currently at all-time highs, with 7.6 million people in the queue, it can feel like little health niggles – or bigger unanswered questions – are out of your hands. But, that doesn’t have to be the case.

With a mission to make medical imaging scans more accessible, diagnostics booking platform Scan.com has highlighted the different types of imaging tests, from screenings and when to get them, to diagnostic MRI and CT scans. Their platform lets you access scans quickly and affordably, with clinician consultations included so you don’t need to see your GP for a referral. 

Screenings and Health MOTs

Staying healthier for longer often depends on how promptly you recognise changes and health issues and take action. Screening tests can help give you peace of mind, and it is important that you attend them.

The NHS offers some screening programmes for over-50’s. For women, this includes mammogram scans every three years and cervical screenings every 5 years. For men, an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is offered at age 65, and biennial bowel screening tests are available every 2 years for both men and women between the ages of 60 and 74.

However, you might wish to have screenings more regularly than on NHS programmes, outside the age ranges offered, or with more comprehensive coverage of multiple body areas. Medical imaging such as MRI, mammography and ultrasound is a valuable screening tool. Scan.com can help you book your own screening earlier, more frequently, or as soon as you sense something isn’t right.

Even in the absence of symptoms, options such as an annual full-body MRI can provide a detailed overall health check to ensure there’s nothing concerning about your health. Covering multiple essential organs including the brain, a full body scan can give you peace of mind in one fast and safe scan.

Diagnostic Scans

Imaging tests don’t just help you spot problems early through screening programmes, they can also help you get the diagnosis you need for your symptoms and speed up access to treatment.

If you’re in pain, worried about an anomaly such as a lump or a new symptom, or have been struggling with your health for a while, diagnostic imaging can provide the answers to help you manage your condition. But, accessing scans often requires waiting for a GP appointment, waiting for a referral, and having little choice about when and where the appointment will be. This can put people off getting the scans they really need.

With Scan.com, it’s easy to refer yourself online and get a clinical consultation and referral within just 48 hours. Plus, the choice of location, time, and price are completely in your hands, with over 150 locations nationwide.

When you get your results, you’re not alone. You’ll receive prompt follow-up communication from a clinician and an interactive report in easily understandable language. Plus, you can take your results back to your GP to kickstart your onward care as quickly as possible.

Paul from Surrey had a knee MRI

Paul, a 69-year-old from Surrey, faced difficulty obtaining a referral for a scan from his GP and never made it onto the NHS diagnostic waiting list. He chose to book his own knee MRI via Scan.com

“Scan.com was a great value for money, easy to book, and provided me with valuable insights by giving me a complete diagnosis of my knee when my GP couldn’t. The scanning centre I visited was excellent and punctual.

“Before my scan, I had limited knowledge of how my knee was damaged; afterwards, I knew I needed to see a knee specialist. The scan empowered me to make a case for further treatment, either through the NHS or privately.”

About Scan.com

As the UK’s largest diagnostic imaging platform, Scan.com makes it easy for you to find and book your own medical scan, including MRI, CT, Ultrasound and X-ray, with no waiting lists.

You can find out more, and book your own scan via Scan.com