Colorado Preventive Medicine - Dr. Abrams

Health Resource Videos

To help you take charge of your health we will routinely share advances in medicine that we feel are  important issues for you to be aware of. Click on the link to view.

Rose Radiology.  Imaging is a key component of early disease detection.  Safety, accuracy and efficiency are paramount at the Rose Radiology.

CT Scanning. A CT scan has the ability to detect health risks or disease at a treatable stage.  Please take a moment to understand the appropriate role of CT scanning in your health.

Ultrasound.  Without exposing you to any radiation ultrasound allows us to examine key arteries and many solid organs of your body.

Digital Mammography.  The Rose Breast Center performs only digital mammography. Digital mammograms are more accurate for many women, including those under 50, women with dense breasts, and those who are perimenopausal

3-D Mammography. For many women a new 3-D mammogram called tomosynthesis can permit the radiologist to perform an even better screen for early breast cancer.

Carotid Artery Ultrasound.  Measurement of the thickness of your carotid arteries can provide valuable, actionable information about your risk of atherosclerosis throughout your vascular system.

Coronary Artery Calcium Score.  Knowing if you have calcified plaque in your coronary arteries can help you and your physician take measures to reduce your risk of a heart attack.

Bone Density.  Measuring the density of your bones can detect early bone loss.  With early detection comes the ability to prevent serious hip and spine fractures caused by osteoporosis.
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Thyroid Biopsy.  Occasionally a nodule discovered in the thyroid gland is suspicious for cancer.  A safe procedure called a fine needle aspirate or FNA may be suggested to biopsy a thyroid nodule.

Screening for Glaucoma.  Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness after cataracts. A simple eye pressure measurement can prevent blindness.

Oral Cancer Screening.  A new device called a Velscope can detect oral cancers at a treatable stage.

Sleep Apnea.  A simple home sleep monitor called ApneaLink is available to screen for the common condition called obstructive sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which nighttime breathing repeatedly stops and starts.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring.  Sometimes checking your blood pressure in the office does not reflect your usual pressure.  A device you can wear throughout the day and night can be more accurate.

Ovarian Ultrasound.  An optional pelvic ultrasound exam can now be added to your abdominal ultrasound exam.  The test is used for improved early detection of ovarian cancer in women at higher risk.

Potential Benefits — the potential benefit of ovarian cancer screening is the chance      to find the cancer at a curable stage, reducing the risk of dying.

Potential Risks — the potential risk of ovarian cancer screening is a falsely positive        screening test. This could lead to unnecessary anxiety or surgical biopsy for some healthy women.

Factors that increase your risk of ovarian cancer include the following:

  •   Older age
  •   Having one or more relatives with ovarian cancer
  •   Having abnormalities in a gene, called BRCA1 or BRCA2
  •   Having genes that are linked to hereditary colorectal cancer (also called Lynch syndrome)
  •   Never having been pregnant
  •   Being overweight

How is the test performed?  Transvaginal ultrasound is performed very much like a gynecologic exam and involves the insertion of the transducer into the vagina after emptying your bladder. The tip of the transducer is smaller than the standard speculum used when performing a Pap test.   A protective cover is placed over the transducer, lubricated with a small amount of gel and then inserted by you or the sonographer into the vagina. Only two to three inches of the transducer end are inserted into the vagina. The images are obtained from different orientations to get the best views of your uterus and ovaries. Transvaginal ultrasound is usually performed lying on your back similar to a gynecologic exam.  Ovarian ultrasound adds approximately $150 to the total cost of your exam.

Colorado Preventive Medicine - Dr. Abrams