Access to your PET scan images and report lets you monitor your health and share this information with other providers, making it easy to get a second opinion. This guide will cover how quickly to expect your PET results, how to understand the medical terminology, and how to share and view your records.<\/p>\n
Knowing how to access your PET results can provide valuable insights into your health and allow you to have more confident, informed conversations with your referring practitioner. With PocketHealth<\/a> you can quickly access, securely store, understand and share all your medical images and reports.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n There are multiple factors that can influence PET scan turnaround times. Some possibilities include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You\u2019re not alone if you feel anxious waiting for your PET scan results: more than 50% of patients feel anxious or stressed waiting for medical test results.<\/p>\n Most patients won\u2019t receive their PET scan results immediately. A radiologist must review the results, prepare a report and send it to your doctor. Additionally, your PET scan technician is not permitted to provide any diagnostic information during your scan, as it is outside the scope of their qualifications. However, if you\u2019re in an emergency situation and the scan is performed at a hospital, you will likely receive your results more quickly.<\/p>\n Results vary depending on the radiologist\u2019s schedule as well as your own doctor\u2019s. It can sometimes take up to a week or more, depending on various factors, such as if your doctor waits until your follow-up appointment to give you your results.<\/p>\n Even for cancer detection, PET scan results can take up to a week or more, depending on the facility. Radiologists will be particularly thorough with such an important diagnosis, which may extend the processing time. However, if your referring doctor deems it necessary, they may expedite your results to facilitate quicker next steps. Every case is different.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That depends on the imaging facility or your doctor\u2019s office. If either has an online patient portal, you may have access to your results. However, some facilities keep online results available for only a limited time. PocketHealth<\/a> provides secure access to your final reports and images as soon as they are available, allowing you to view and store your PET scan results indefinitely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With quick, secure access to your PET scan imaging and report, PocketHealth lets you arrive at your next appointment informed, confident and ready to participate in your own care.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n Your doctor will review your final PET scan results with you, and for many patients, this follow-up appointment is when they first receive their report. However, if you had earlier access to your results, this is an opportunity to prepare for your follow-up in advance. Here are some suggestions:<\/p>\n First, review your report and try to understand any findings. Report Reader<\/a> is a useful tool for this, as it provides definitions of medical terminology in your report. This allows you to have a more informed discussion with your doctor, as you will already have a basic understanding of your results.<\/p>\n MyCare Navigator<\/a> is another useful tool for preparing for your follow-up appointment. It generates personalized questions based on your report and identifies any recommended follow-up steps, helping you address these with your physician and make your appointment more productive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here is a quick overview of some of the more common terms found within many PET scan reports<\/a>:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n PET scans are most frequently used by oncologists and other doctors to treat, monitor or diagnose potential cancers. However, they are increasingly being utilized for other diagnostic purposes, such as evaluating brain and heart conditions. PET scans are also beginning to play a role in diagnosing arterial conditions and Alzheimer\u2019s disease. There are numerous reasons to have a PET scan; while cancer evaluation is a common one, it is not the only reason.<\/p>\n Often, PET scans can indicate the location and extent of cancer in a patient\u2019s body, as well as how far it has spread. However, other imaging and tests may be needed alongside a PET scan to confirm the cancer’s diagnosis and staging.<\/p>\n While a positive PET scan can indicate cancer, non-cancerous conditions may also appear similar on the scan, potentially leading to a false positive. Therefore, try not to stress if your scan comes back positive. It could be due to inflammation, non-cancerous lesions or other benign abnormalities. Additional tests, such as an MRI<\/a> or CT scan, will likely be performed to assist in diagnosis.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n\t\t\tEarly access to your PET scan results\t\t<\/h2> \n\t<\/div>\n\t
Why are my PET scan results taking so long?<\/h2>\n
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PET scan results time: How long do I have to wait?<\/h2>\n
Will I get my PET scan results immediately?<\/h3>\n
How long does it typically take to get my PET scan results?<\/h3>\n
How long do PET scan results take for cancer detection?<\/h3>\n
Can I check my PET scan report online?<\/h2>\n
5 Benefits of having access to your PET scan results<\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t\tEarly access to your PET scan results\t\t<\/h2> \n\t<\/div>\n\t
Getting your PET scan results back<\/h2>\n
How to read your PET scan results?<\/h2>\n
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Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
What is the most common diagnosis for a PET scan?<\/h3>\n
Does a PET scan tell you the stage of cancer?<\/h3>\n
What happens if a PET scan is positive?<\/h3>\n
How to be an advocate for your health<\/h2>\n