Whole body imaging is a non-invasive, multi-dimensional screening assessment of the body using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). State-of-the-art whole body imaging may lead to early diagnosis of conditions, allowing you to achieve peace of mind and better manage your health. You can also monitor changes over time and assess any health risks related to family history.
Whole body imaging can screen for a wide array of conditions including early detection of many cancers, multiple sclerosis, brain aneurysms, narrowing of the arteries, ischemic injury, vascular malformations, various metabolic disorders, disc herniations, and spinal degeneration.
Whole body imaging evaluates:
The lungs and bowel are not optimally assessed with MRI, but supplemental low-dose CT of the lungs and colon can be obtained as an add-on.
As part of this exam, Mayfair Diagnostics will perform a neck-to-knee MRI scan at our Mayfair Place location. You will also be asked to wear comfortable clothes free of metal zippers or buttons, including metal-free underwear. It generally takes approximately one hour to complete.
Once in the exam room you may be asked to change into a gown or scrubs. Your technologist will position you on the cushioned scanner table in the MRI suite. We will do our best to make you comfortable.
As some patients can find an MRI to be loud, you will be offered headphones or ear plugs to reduce the noise. Eye masks are also available upon request for patients who have difficulty relaxing in a confined space. You will be given an emergency call bell to stop the exam, if needed. Once you are relaxed and comfortable, a sensor will be positioned around your torso. The table will then move slowly into the MRI scanner, which is well lit and ventilated.
You will be asked to hold very still, as movement may result in blurring of images. Your technologist will always be close by. You may be asked to hold your breath for some of the images. Breath holds can last between 5-25 seconds. Once we have successfully captured your images, you are free to leave.
MRI does not use ionizing radiation. Images are created using a magnetic field which can attract metal objects or may cause metal in your body to move. Therefore, before an MRI can be performed patients will need to be screened to exclude internal metal objects or hardware that are not safe in the MRI. Once complete, a technologist will review the information and address any concerns.
Once your images have been gathered, they will be reviewed by a Mayfair radiologist who will generate a report that will be sent to your referring doctor within five business days. Your doctor will review your images along with the report from the radiologist and discuss any next steps with you. Please consult with your doctor regarding your results and any follow up exams or questions.
PLEASE NOTE: Whole body imaging supplements but is not intended to replace other established evidence-based screening practices for the early detection of specific malignancies (e.g., breast imaging, colonoscopy, Pap-smear screening for cervical cancer, low-dose chest CT). As with any medical exam or test, whole body imaging is not guaranteed to detect all malignancies and diseases.
A WBI must be requested by a health care practitioner. If, after discussion with your doctor, a private WBI is indicated as a best next course of action, your doctor will provide you with a requisition and preparation instructions for your exam. You will then be able to book the appointment with Mayfair.
WBI exams are provided at our Mayfair Place location as a private pay exam for $3,600 and are not covered by Alberta Health Care. Lung CT and/or joint MRI add-ons are available at an additional fee.
We also offer a 10% Seniors discount (65+) that can be applied to the first MRI exam.
Your health spending account or group medical insurance plan may cover the cost of a private MRI that is prescribed by a qualified health care practitioner. You will need to check with your plan administrator for coverage details.
We foster a supportive and collaborative culture designed to encourage positive patient experiences and build strong working relationships across the organization:
Our core values shape the way we work with patients, partners, and fellow employees. And, more than anything else, they’re what set Mayfair apart. In everything we do, this is what we strive for:
EXCELLENCE
We share a commitment to high quality and excellence in all that we do. This commitment calls on all of us to achieve the very best of our capabilities and exceed our own expectations.
CURIOSITY
We innovate in everything, from services to processes. We believe meaningful change and effective problem solving come only by looking at challenges and opportunities from new angles and by exercising our creativity and curiosity.
PASSION
We show pride, enthusiasm, and dedication in everything that we do. We are committed to producing and delivering high-quality results and services. We are passionate about our industry and about our company, services, partners, and patients.
COLLABORATION
Our team is supportive of each other’s efforts; we are loyal to one another; and we care for one another both personally and professionally. We promote and support a diverse, yet unified, team. We work together to meet our common goals across Mayfair clinics, locations, and geographies. Only through collaboration on ideas, technologies, and talents can we achieve our mission and vision.
SERVICE
We take pride in delivering exceptional service every day. We listen to every request with an open mind, always looking for opportunities to go above and beyond to create memorable, personalized experiences. We take responsibility to answer our referrers’ and patients’ requests and respect their time by always responding with a sense of urgency.
Start a career with Mayfair Diagnostics — one of Western Canada’s leading medical imaging teams.
Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, we’ve been helping people f ind clarity for their health for over 100 years. At our clinics in Calgary and area, Regina, and Saskatoon, our team of radiologists, technologists, and support staff work in a truly integrated way to provide exceptional experiences for our patients. Joining our team is more than a job. It’s an investment in your future — a plan for success.
OUR PEOPLE
Our people share our quest to make a difference in our patient’s lives. We’re a team of professionals, disciplined in our skills and compassionate with our patients, providing the care and attention they need. At our core, we are a trusted partner in our patients’ health care journey. Our patients, physicians, and other health care providers rely on us for quality imaging to help manage their patient’s health care decisions with certainty. But our business is about more than just imaging. It’s about building lasting relationships and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we meet.
OUR VISION
A world in which every person has clarity about their health. We push the boundaries of what is possible and embrace change as an opportunity. We strive to be thought leaders and encourage creativity by providing a safe place for calculated risk taking. We learn from our mistakes. We share best practices across our operations and are recognized by our peers for our work. We engage the best to help propel us forward in achieving our goals.
