New Medical Limited

Osteoporosis results in 70,000 hip fractures per year in England and Wales and kills more women than cancer of the uterus, cervix and ovaries combined.

Osteoporosis is a deadly disease, particularly for women. And yet, it is easily diagnosed by a simple scan known as an axial DEXA scan. The scan takes about 10 minutes, is painless and does not require undressing. It uses a very low dose of radiation (less than one tenth that of a chest X-ray) to take a picture of the bones of the hip and lower back. From this picture the density of the bone is calculated. If the bone density falls below a certain level this is known as osteoporosis or ‘thin bones’.

Diet and exercise are important in helping prevent osteoporosis, but if the condition is severe enough, drug treatment may be necessary and this is available on the NHS.

New Medical is using the latest DEXA scanning equipment from GE Medical to offer screening for osteoporosis to women who have been through the menopause. This follows the guidelines of the American National Osteoporosis Foundation. Generalised screening of this kind — known as primary population screening — is not available on the NHS. (We will also scan men aged over 65 on request.)

Preventing a hip or vertebral fracture due to osteoporosis in later life is one of the most important things we can do to safeguard our health.

Please consider booking an axial DEXA scan, at a cost of only £95, at one of our screening sessions by phoning 0845 345 3022.