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CT scan

Overview

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A CT scan is usually used to diagnose a condition, such as cancer, or to check how well treatment is working.

Before you have a CT scan you may be asked to take certain medicines, or do things like not eat (fast) or not wear clothing with metal in it.

A CT scan involves lying flat on a bed while a ring-shaped CT scanner moves over your body taking pictures. It usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes.

It usually takes between 1 and 2 weeks to get your CT scan results. You may need a follow-up appointment to talk about your results.

It's rare to have complications of a CT scan, but there's a very small chance of cancer if you have lots of scans.

A CT scan is a test that takes detailed pictures of the inside of your body.

Page last reviewed: 08/11/2023
Next review due: 08/11/2026