Screening and Wellness | Weill Cornell Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian

Imaging screening exams are used to detect disease in people who don’t have any symptoms. These exams are often recommended based on your age, sex, and family or personal medical history. By finding disease early—when it’s most treatable—screening exams can be life-saving.

At Weill Cornell Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian, we use safe, low-dose technology for all our exams.

Use the information on this page to learn more about the different types of screening exams available. We encourage you to speak with your doctor about which screenings may be right for you or your loved ones.

Our goal is to educate and empower our patients to take charge of their health because knowing what’s needed and when can make all the difference.

Breast Cancer Screening

Screening Mammography

A screening mammogram is an annual exam of the breast that uses low-dose, digital x-ray to detect findings that may be too small to feel. This exam can find cancer at an early stage when it is easiest to treat. Weill Cornell Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian performs screening mammograms with state-of-the-art, fully digital equipment and utilize specialized cushions that provide extra comfort for patients during compression. All images are reviewed and interpreted by subspecialty breast radiologists using the most advanced workstations.

Cardiac Disease Screening

Calcium Score

A cardiac calcium scoring exam is a computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart that can be used to measure the amount of calcium buildup in the coronary arteries. This screening exam identifies calcium deposits in the arteries in the heart which may be a sign of heart disease. A calcium scan can show whether or not you are at risk for having a future heart attack. This exam is quick, noninvasive and does not require any intravenous contrast.

Colon Cancer Screening

Virtual Colonoscopy

A CT colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, is a low-dose CT screening exam used to take images of the inside of your colon for both cancer prevention and for early detection of cancer. These images are examined for polyps or other irregularities using advanced computer software. No sedation is needed for this screening and very low doses of radiation is used. This exam is recommended for adults who are 50 or older when prescribed by your physician. As there are a number of different types of colon cancer screenings, this exam is among the least invasive and well-tolerated.

Osteoporosis Screening

Bone Densitometry

A bone densitometry exam (also known as DEXA) uses a very small dose of radiation to obtain pictures of your bones (usually the lower spine or hips) in order to measure bone loss. This screening exam can be used to diagnose osteoporosis and to evaluate a person’s risk for developing fractures. Your risk of developing fractures is affected by age, body weight, history of past fractures, family history of osteoporosis and lifestyle issues such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Bone densitometry screenings are simple, quick and noninvasive.

Lung Cancer Screening

Low-Dose Computed Tomography

Lung cancer forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining the air passages. A low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan is able to detect very small nodules in the lung and is effective for diagnosing lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage. This fast and painless screening exam is recommended for symptom-free individuals who are at high risk for lung cancer. LDCT scans of the chest produce images of sufficient quality to detect many abnormalities using up to 90% less radiation than a conventional chest CT scan.

The Lung Cancer Screening Program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine provides state-of-the-art, LDCT imaging for high risk individuals. Our comprehensive program is guided by a multi-disciplinary team of experts in radiology, thoracic surgery, pulmonary medicine, and oncology and offers the highest level of service and care coordination from the initial visit to any necessary follow-up or treatment.

For more information on Lung Cancer Screening, please click here.

Whole Body MRI Screening

A whole body MRI is a non-invasive screening exam that uses advanced imaging to scan your entire body. It’s designed for people without symptoms who want a comprehensive look at their health.

At Weill Cornell Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian, we use state-of-the-art 3T MRI scanners and the latest AI-enhanced technology to deliver high-quality images without radiation or contrast. Your exam is interpreted by subspecialty radiologists who are experts in detecting early signs of disease.