Screening exams are considered proactive methods for checking your health. They can detect various diseases and conditions for which symptoms may not be obvious yet, or help evaluate your risk for developing a specific disease.
 
Screening exams are generally performed on adults who have no current signs or symptoms of disease, but do have one or more of the classic high risk factors for a particular disease. These include: smoking, family history of a particular disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or obesity.

The screening exams discussed in this section are performed at Washington Imaging Services (WIS) in Bellevue using multi-detector CT or a low dose x-ray device. The DEXA Bone Density Test is also offered at the WIS Issaquah location. A board certified radiologist with subspecialty expertise from Overlake Imaging Associates examines the images for the presence or absence of abnormalities.

With the information obtained from your exam, your physician can discuss with you specific measures to take to improve your health and reduce your risk of developing serious illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and other conditions.

Most screening exams ordered by your physician are covered by insurance. However, some of the newer studies such as Virtual Colonoscopy may not be covered. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure.

Bone Density Test (DEXA) DEXA or dual energy x-ray absorptiometry is a quick, painless procedure for measuring bone loss associated with osteoporosis—a disease where decreasing bone density makes bones brittle and prone to fracture.

Virtual Colonoscopy (Colonography MDCT) This screening exam evaluates the entire colon for polyps and early signs of cancer.

Coronary CTA (Coronary Angiogram MDCT) Coronary CTA reveals the status of the left and right coronary arteries and their branches which supply blood and nutrients to the cells of the heart.

Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring (CACS) This screening exam assesses the location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries.