Saved by the Scan

Laura is a vibrant Patient Service Representative at Advanced Radiology. When Laura was a new hire, just 18 days into her new role, she decided to experience the $105 cardiac calcium screening exam firsthand. This was partly to explain it to patients better, and partly because her dad had suffered three heart attacks since his early 50s. So into the CT scanner she went: a quick 10-minute scan, where she breathed in and out, held her breath, and she was done. Her cardiac calcium score came back a perfect zero, meaning no calcium deposits were detected.

But Laura's scan had more to say.

Radiologists frequently identify additional findings on imaging that weren't the original focus of the scan; these are called incidental findings, and they're often as surprising to the physician as to the patient. After Laura's scan, radiologist Dr. Ashraf walked out of the reading room and quietly pulled her aside. "You've got a mass in your lung," he told her.

Here's what makes that so significant: unlike some other cancers, lung cancer usually presents no noticeable symptoms until it's in an advanced stage. The lungs have few nerve endings, making it difficult to feel pain or discomfort even as tumors grow, and small tumors often do not interfere with lung function, contributing to their silent nature. Nationally, only 28.1% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage, when the five-year survival rate is much higher at 65%. Unfortunately, 43% of cases are not caught until a late stage, when the survival rate drops to just 10%.

What followed was a whirlwind of appointments, additional CT scans, consultations, and a biopsy. Laura had to quickly absorb complex medical jargon while navigating a frightening new reality, but she never lost her sense of humor. When her coworker mentioned she had a headache one day, Laura tilted her head, raised an eyebrow, and replied, "Well, I've got lung cancer." They both laughed.

Laughter Is Laura's Medicine

Laura was told her cancer would be nonresponsive to chemotherapy or radiation, making removal of her lower left lobe the only viable option. She was admitted for surgery in January 2024. She recalls being in a bit of a daze throughout, waking up after surgery to a male nurse's booming voice: "Laura, wake up." Her response? "Hey, I can hear you." The discomfort was real, but the surgery went well, and she was discharged the very next morning.

To see Laura today, you'd never guess she's missing her lower left lobe. What you would probably realize is she's getting ready to be an amazing mom. She hikes through life with renewed zest and one simple declaration: "I'm fine now — cancer free!" confirmed by her six-month follow-up CT scan and surgeon visit. Laura's story is a powerful reminder that a $105 scan, a trusted radiologist's careful eye, and a positive attitude can quite literally save your life. Here's to the queen of turning a scary situation into a story worth telling.

The Power of Early Detection

Laura's story is exactly why early screenings matter. When cancer and other health concerns are caught at an early stage, treatment options are broader, outcomes are significantly better, and survival rates improve dramatically. Screening allows physicians to identify abnormalities before symptoms develop, often years earlier than a patient would otherwise seek care.

The lung cancer survival rate has improved 26% over the last five years, and advances in imaging technology are a major reason why. But there is still significant ground to cover: from 2018 to 2022, nearly half of all lung cancers were diagnosed at a distant stage, meaning the cancer had already spread from the lungs to distant parts of the body, when survival is lowest. Laura's mass was found before she ever had a single symptom. That is the difference a scan can make.

At Advanced Radiology, we offer many imaging-based screening services designed to give your physician the clearest possible picture of your health.

Screenings We Offer

• Cardiac Calcium Score: Recommended for adults with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a family history of heart disease, or a history of smoking. A quick, painless CT scan that detects calcium buildup in the heart's arteries, often before any symptoms appear — and, as Laura discovered, it can reveal life-saving information beyond what you came in for.
• Low-Dose CT Lung Screening: Recommended for current and former heavy smokers aged 50–80, this quick scan can detect lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage — like the one that caught Laura's mass before it was too late.
• Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) Screening: Recommended for adults 45+ with cardiovascular risk factors, and pairs well with a Cardiac Calcium Score. This ultrasound exam checks the walls of the arteries in your neck for early signs of hardening and heart disease — before symptoms ever appear. Think of it as an early warning system for both your heart and brain health.
• AAA US Screening: Used to evaluate if an abdominal aortic aneurysm is present. This is important because AAAs are largely asymptomatic until it's too late.
• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) Screening: Recommended for adults 50+ with diabetes, a smoking history, leg pain, or cardiovascular disease. This quick, painless test measures blood flow in your legs to detect peripheral artery disease early — a condition that quietly raises your risk for heart attack and stroke. Simple to do, and the information it provides can be genuinely life-changing.
• Bone Density (DXA) Scanning: Identifies osteoporosis and fracture risk, particularly important for women over 65 and men over 70.
• Body Composition Scanning: A great option for anyone managing their fitness, weight-related health conditions, or simply wanting a more accurate picture of their health. Go beyond the scale — this scan breaks down your actual fat, muscle, and bone composition for a true snapshot of your body and overall fitness. (Available at Columbia and Jefferson City locations.)

Visit our Health Screenings page to learn more about the screenings above.

When Should You Be Screened?

Screening recommendations vary by age, gender, family history, and risk factors. Guidelines from the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology, and other leading organizations provide useful starting points, but your physician can help determine the right schedule for your personal health profile.

Don't wait for a symptom to prompt you to act. Schedule a conversation with your primary care provider about which screenings are right for you, and then schedule your imaging at Advanced Radiology.

Why Advanced Radiology?

Advanced Radiology is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) — a mark of quality and expertise that ensures your imaging meets the highest standards in the field. Our experienced radiologists, like Dr. Ashraf, have years of experience in oncologic imaging and are dedicated to providing accurate, timely results for patients and physicians across mid-Missouri.

Laura didn't go looking for lung cancer. She went looking for a zero. Fortunately, the right scan found what needed to be found, and today she's out there hiking, laughing, and living proof that early detection saves lives.

Contact us today to schedule your screening and take a proactive step toward your long-term health.

Sources: American Lung Association. State of Lung Cancer: 2025 Report. https://www.lung.org/research/state-of-lung-cancer/key-findings, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Cancer Statistics: Lung Cancer Stat Bite. https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/publications/lung-cancer-stat-bite.html, Johns Hopkins Medicine. Lung Cancer Symptoms. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/lung-cancer/lung-cancer-symptoms, American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html