PET can effectively pinpoint the source of many of the most common cancers and give physicians important early information about heart and neurological diseases, eliminating the need for redundant tests and diagnostic surgical procedures. Ask your physician to refer you for a PET scan.
		Seek a second opinion or have your physician speak with a nuclear medicine physician experienced in PET to determine if PET will be beneficial in your case. Arm yourself with information since you may need to convince someone that you really want a PET scan.
		Many insurers are now reimbursing for some PET procedures, including Medicare and Medicaid. The physicians and staff of nuclear medicine services performing PET can arrange for insurance or alternate payment approaches.
		After the injection of a minute amount of the trace solution into a vein, the patient relaxes while the scan is performed.
		The PET physician will interpret your scan and transmit the results to your referring physician, who can use the information to chart the best course of treatment.