Keeping you healthy longer

Lifescan’s services specifically screen for 3 of the 4 main causes for death in the UK; heart disease (via a heart scan - calcium score); colon cancer (using virtual colonoscopy) and lung cancer.  A combination of these scans (Lifescan Enhanced Check) can be selected, but only where a patient’s medical history and risk factors would make it appropriate. Each scan is still done independently to ensure the lowest possible exposure to radiation.

All our scans are developed in accordance with recognised clinical research and many of our services are now being offered within the NHS – in particular virtual colonoscopy and calcium scoring.  The Department of Health is also considering a lung cancer screening trial using low dose CT similar to those already underway in the US and Europe.

Lifescan has never offered body scans and strongly disagrees with such a service being offered, whether using CT or MRI.   Lifescan does not offer screening scans for the head or limbs. 


Keeping you safe

Lifescan has developed – in conjunction with Kings College’s Radiation Protection Advisers - a set of low dose protocols, far lower than those used for symptomatic patients in hospital environments.  All our protocols and radiation exposures have been inspected and approved by the Department of Health under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2006.

A heart scan resulting in a calcium score has an average radiation dose of 1.6 mSv – equivalent to less than the annual background radiation in the UK (2.3 mSv).

The maximum dose from the Lifescan Enhanced Check (combination of heart scan, lung scan and virtual colonoscopy) would be 12.5 mSv – equivalent to 20 months background radiation in parts of Cornwall.

These protocols are designed for “screening” purposes hence why their exposure levels are far lower than standard protocols and this is where the confusion in the media and within some aspects of the medical profession has arisen.

Please note - the COMARE report in 2007 stated there was no evidence to support any risk from radiation under 100mSv. 

Patients who attend Lifescan receive full written information on the radiation exposure associated with their scan to ensure informed consent is obtained.


Maintaining high standards of care

Lifescan operates under strict clinical guidelines, approved by the Department of Health.  Radiography is the most regulated form of clinical care in the UK and only patients who meet strict booking criteria can make an appointment.  Once a booking is made, a patient may still be rejected for elements of screening at the time of the appointment if any information from their detailed health questionnaire is contra-indicative. 

Lifescan does not “screen” anyone under the age of 40, or under 45 for a virtual colonoscopy. 
Lifescan does not support annual “screening” of individuals with the use of CT equipment.  Our standard “recall” is every five years.  For those patients who currently smoke over 20 cigarettes per day, we recommend an annual lung scan (dose of 2.6 mSv) to ensure any damage from a continued smoking habit is closely monitored.


Raising awareness, providing peace of mind

In order to reach as many people as possible, Lifescan advertises its services via various media sources.  Our aim is to help reduce the number of deaths from heart disease, lung cancer and colon cancer through early diagnosis and therefore helping to ensure early access to appropriate treatment solutions.

Lifescan provides solutions to the demand for a more diagnostic approach to screening with the majority of those attending having a personal “trigger” from either recently diagnosed members of the family (or friends) who are subsequently seeking peace of mind.

Since launching its service in 2003, Lifescan has seen over 60,000 individuals (including GPs and health professionals).  Of these; 16% were found to be at a higher than average risk of heart disease or stroke, 13% had signs of changes in their lungs and 9% were detected with the early but treatable signs of colon polyps (which can progress to cancer if left unchecked).