Shields Health Blog

From Screening to Answers: How CT and PET/CT Work Together in Detecting Lung Cancer Earlier

Lisa Campisi — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:29:44 GMT

Early detection saves lives.
Low-dose CT (LDCT) scans have made it possible to screen for lung cancer earlier than ever before — often before symptoms appear and when it’s most treatable. Sometimes, a screening CT finds a small spot or “nodule” that isn’t clearly cancer or benign. That’s where PET/CT comes in.

Below are a few common questions about how PET/CT fits into the lung screening process.

What is a low-dose CT scan, and why is it important?

A low-dose CT scan (LDCT) is a quick, low-radiation scan that looks for tiny changes in the lungs. It’s the best tool available in screening for lung cancer at its earliest and most curable stages.

If my CT scan finds a spot, does that mean I have cancer?

Not necessarily. Most spots found on a CT scan are not cancer. Your doctor may recommend a PET/CT to get more information before deciding on the next step.

What does a PET/CT scan show?

A PET/CT doesn’t just show what your lungs look like — it helps to understand changes that might have been seen on CT. It helps doctors see whether a nodule is metabolically active, which can be a sign of cancer. This added information helps your care team decide whether a biopsy or surgery is needed, or if it’s safe to monitor the spot over time.

Why would my doctor recommend a PET/CT after a screening CT?

PET/CT gives your doctor a more complete picture without another invasive procedure. If the PET/CT doesn’t show any cancer activity, you may avoid a biopsy or surgery. If it does show activity, your doctor can act quickly to plan the best treatment.

It’s a way to get answers faster and ensure you only have the procedures you really need.

Where can I get these scans?

Low-dose CT and PET/CT scans are offered at many community hospitals and imaging centers through Shields Health partnerships — giving patients access to advanced imaging close to home, coordinated with their local doctors.

If you’re 50 or older and have a history of smoking, ask your doctor about lung cancer screening. Early detection and the right follow-up imaging can make all the difference.

How AI‑Enabled MRI Is Changing Prostate Imaging for the Better

Lisa Campisi — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Discover how A.I. is enhancing MRI and the patient experience.

How AI‑Enabled MRI Is Changing Prostate Imaging for the Better

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men—and early detection is key. MRI has long been a trusted tool, but now artificial intelligence (A.I.) is enhancing MRI by making scans faster, clearer, and more accessible.

Here’s how AI-supported imaging is improving the experience and outcomes for patients:

1. Clearer Images. More Information.

A.I.-enhanced imaging improves image quality by sharpening prostate tissue detail and removing noise in the images which can obscure subtle features. This can lead to improved accuracy and confidence in the diagnosis.

Greater clarity supports greater confidence — for patients and providers alike.

2. Faster, More Comfortable Scans

Traditionally, prostate MRI exams could take up to 45 minutes. With A.I.-supported protocols, they're now often completed in as quickly as 15-20 minutes—a major leap in comfort and convenience.

That shorter scan time can make the experience feel much less daunting. For some patients who previously avoided MRI due to anxiety or claustrophobia, this streamlined process may make the scan tolerable—or possible—for the first time.

3. Reducing Unnecessary Biopsies

MRI is often used to help decide whether a biopsy is needed. With enhanced image clarity, clinicians can better assess risk—potentially reducing the need for biopsy in low-risk cases. This supports more personalized care and fewer invasive procedures overall.

4. Improving Access and Availability

MRI is a highly valuable diagnostic tool—but traditional scan times can limit appointment availability. With shorter A.I.-enabled scans, imaging centers can see more patients per day, reducing wait times and helping people get in sooner for their MRI.

That improved capacity not only speeds up care for individuals but also broadens access to this important diagnostic resource when it's needed most.

Dr. Stephen Sweriduk, Medical Director at Shields Health, recently spoke about the impact of AI on prostate imaging:

“The image quality is extremely clear and accurate… A.I. also allows us to significantly reduce the time patients are in the scanner. … The quicker scan times … improve accuracy and make the experience more comfortable for patients.”

Watch Dr. Sweriduk explain more

Moving Forward

These advancements in A.I.-supported MRI are already making prostate imaging more patient-centered: clearer images, faster scans, and broader access. If you or a loved one is scheduled for a scan, ask your provider about what’s available — and know that technology is working behind the scenes to make the experience better.

These advanced MRI services are available at multiple imaging centers across our network. If you’re considering prostate MRI, it may be worth asking about AI-enabled options. Find out more about AI for MRI here.

Your care—both comfortable and informed—is always the priority.

Sources:

- National Library of Medicine: Artificial Intelligence in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis (PMC11592433)
- BotImage: The Future of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis with AI‑Powered MRI
- MDPI Diagnostics journal: AI in prostate MRI study
- Shields Health internal data

PSMA PET/CT Is Redefining Prostate Cancer Imaging—4 Things You Should Know This September

Lisa Campisi — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to highlight advances in how prostate cancer is diagnosed and managed. PSMA PET/CT is transforming prostate cancer care by improving how cancer is staged, restaged, and managed. But many patients haven’t heard of it—or don’t realize how it could impact their treatment. Here’s what you need to know:

1. A Game-Changer for Early Detection

PSMA PET/CT is more accurate than traditional CT and bone scans. In a detailed clinical trial, it showed 92% accuracy, compared to 65% with conventional imaging. It helped change treatment plans in nearly 1 in 3 cases.

This scan uses a tracer that binds to receptors on prostate cancer cells, making it easier to detect small or early signs of spread—especially when PSA is rising after treatment or in newly diagnosed patients with intermediate- to high-risk disease.

Key takeaway: PSMA PET/CT identifies cancer earlier and more accurately than older scan methods—making it easier to plan the right treatment.

2. A Newer Imaging Option Patients Should Ask About

PSMA PET/CT was FDA-approved in 2020 and is still being adopted into routine practice. While it's gaining ground, not all providers automatically recommend it—so asking about it can make a difference.

It’s often used in place of CT or bone scans to stage or restage prostate cancer, particularly in more advanced cases. It’s also helpful when other scans come back negative or unclear but PSA levels are rising, or clinical suspicion remains.

Key takeaway: This scan may not be automatically offered, so it’s smart to ask your doctor if it’s right for your phase of care.

3. Insurance Coverage Can Differ by Location

Your out-of-pocket cost may depend on where your scan is done:

Hospital-based centers may bundle costs in a way that increases patient responsibility.
Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs) like Shields often bill the radiotracer separately under Medicare Part B—leading to lower or no out-of-pocket costs (aside from standard coinsurance).

Many patients are unaware of this distinction until after they’re billed.

Key takeaway: Medicare may cover more of the cost at independent imaging centers like Shields—so ask about where your scan will be performed.

4. Advanced Imaging Without the Travel

PSMA PET/CT isn’t available at every imaging center—but Shields offers it at 18 locations across New England, making advanced care more accessible.

You don’t have to travel to a major hospital to get leading-edge prostate imaging.

Key takeaway: Shields brings expert-level imaging to your community—with 18 locations offering PSMA PET/CT across the region.

Sources:

Hofman MS et al., The Lancet, 2020 – ProPSMA trial

National Cancer Institute – PSMA PET-CT Improves Prostate Cancer Imaging: https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/prostate-cancer-psma-pet-ct-metastasis

MedicareABC – Understanding Medicare Coverage for PSMA PET/CT Scans: https://medicareabc.com/understanding-medicare-coverage-for-psma-pet-ct-scans/

CMS – IDTF Guidelines: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln909060-independent-diagnostic-testing-facility.pdf

This article was created in collaboration with AI-assisted writing tools and reviewed by a board-certified physician editor.

Cardiac PET/CT— Breaking Barriers in Women's Heart Health

Lisa Campisi — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Discover how Cardiac PET/CT revolutionizes heart disease diagnosis and treatment, especially for women.

This February, we're excited about the opportunities currently avaliable to improve cardiac imaging for women, addressing the unique challenges they often face in this area.

Understanding Cardiac PET/CT

What exactly is Cardiac PET/CT, and why are so many experts excited about it? Well, imagine having a test that provides your doctor with crystal-clear images of your heart, helping them catch subtle signs of trouble that other methods might miss. That’s the unique power of Cardiac PET/CT. It’s an advanced imaging technique that maps blood flow to your heart and detects coronary artery disease with remarkable precision.

Cardiac PET/CT is a game-changer, especially for women and patients with higher BMIs who often face challenges with traditional imaging. This technology gives us reliable, actionable information in ways we haven’t been able to achieve before.

What makes this test so special? To start, it’s faster—usually done in about 30 minutes—and more accurate than older methods like SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography). It’s also a better option for diagnosing hard-to-spot conditions, like microvascular disease, which tends to go undetected with other scans. This means the potential for fewer unnecessary procedures, like invasive catheterizations, and added confidence in how physicians approach treatments.

On top of that, it delivers consistent, high-quality images while keeping radiation exposure low. With its ability to pinpoint potential problems early, Cardiac PET/CT is a major step forward in improving how we protect heart health for everyone, especially women.

Why Cardiac PET/CT is Crucial for Women's Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S.¹ Did you know two out of three women have at least one risk factor for coronary artery disease, and those risks only grow with age? Adding to the complexity, women often experience heart disease symptoms differently than men—making diagnosis more difficult and, at times, delayed².

Cardiac PET/CT can make a real difference. “Cardiac PET/CT is remarkably good at detecting issues like microvascular disease and ischemia,” says a member of our PET/CT team. “These are conditions we see more often in women, but they’re also the ones that traditional tests often miss. Unlike other techniques, PET/CT isn’t easily thrown off by challenges like high BMI or breast tissue—factors that can limit the accuracy of other imaging methods."

Compared to alternatives like SPECT or standard stress tests, Cardiac PET/CT is a game-changer when it comes to precision, delivering up to 85% diagnostic accuracy for coronary artery disease³. This kind of reliability means doctors can catch problems earlier, leading to faster, more effective treatments that directly improve quality of life.

However, access is still an issue. Here in Massachusetts, many community healthcare facilities don’t have the equipment or trained staff. The high cost can also be a barrier. However, we remain optimistic, expanding access to this critical tool could revolutionize how we address heart disease in women. With better availability, more women could receive the accurate diagnoses and life-saving care they truly need.

Enhanced Accessibility: Bringing Cardiac PET/CT to Community Hospitals

Shields is proud to be launching a Shields Cardiac PET/CT program this year. For the first time, Shields will be bringing Cardiac PET/CT into community regions in Massachusetts, an approach that allows patients to access advanced cardiac imaging without the need to travel to Boston.

By expanding access to this cutting-edge technology, Shields Health is making a significant impact on community health. Our network allows us to manage costs effectively, ensuring that more patients can benefit from superior diagnostic imaging capabilities, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

Sources:

1 https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/women-and-heart-disease.html

2 https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease/women

3 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5710451/

The power of Artificial Intelligence

Lisa Campisi — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:00:00 GMT

Which diagnostic image would YOU prefer?

The power of artificial intelligence is changing MRI around the world. And Shields was the first to implement this technology for a heightened patient experience. While our 1.5T and 3T MRI machines have always offered high-quality images for an accurate diagnosis, we’re taking it to the next level by combining it with AI technology for faster scan times and an enhanced image quality.

The results are clear.

Read on to learn about how AI is proving to be a game change for quality and efficiency across our network, and where exactly we have this technological advancement in action.

Artificial intelligence works in the background for every scan, reducing noise and artifacts to deliver consistently clearer, crisper images. The clarity in the 3T with Air Recon scan above is the clear choice for the most accurate diagnosis–with fewer artifacts and a brighter and exquisitely defined image.

We've seen first-hand how A.I. is able to dramatically improve the results of orthopedic, neurologic, and prostate exams, benefiting patients across the board and our network.

Using A.I. we are able to decrease scan time by up to 36%, offering patients the highest quality scan paired with the most comfortable experience. This also allows us to increase efficiency, optimizing our protocols and allowing for predictive scheduling to get patients seen and scanned faster.

"Our MS patients are accustomed to a four-hour MRI study. They say: "It's going to take under two hours? IT's a great feeling to see their happiness," says Nicole Gardner, Chief Technologist.

We're proud to have been the first in the world to bring AI to MRI, and now we offer the power of artificial intelligence on 10 of our 1.5T and 3T machines across our network (soon to be 11!).

Artificial Intelligence Locations

Boston (Tufts Medical Center)

Brockton

Dartmouth

Framingham

Heywood

Lowell - Chelmsford

Portsmouth

Worcester (Shrewsbury St.)

Yarmouth

Weymouth

Westford (NOW open!)

There’s a Shields close by.

Every Shields location offers top-tier technology, world-class radiologists and exceptional care. Find a location near you:

https://shields.com/find-location/

*Estimated scan times based upon Shields MRI network featuring similar A.I. technology.