# Grow the mustache. Book the scan. *November is Men's Health Month* Two exams men put off: a coronary calcium score that shows plaque in the arteries of the heart before symptoms, and a prostate MRI on our 3-Tesla magnet. Both at Desert Imaging, evenings and Saturdays. - Calcium score: a few minutes, no contrast - Prostate MRI on the 3-Tesla at West - Both need your doctor's order - Evenings and Saturdays ## Why November Every November men grow a mustache to get other men talking about their health. The two conversations that matter most are the heart and the prostate, and both have an exam that shows what a checkup cannot. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Your doctor decides which exam is right for you, based on your age, your family history and your risk. ## How it works 1. **Ask your doctor for the order** Both exams need a doctor's order. Your doctor's office can fax it, send it through the physician portal, or you can bring it. Then request your appointment below or call. 2. **Come in** For a calcium score, wear loose clothing and come as you are. For a prostate MRI, a Fleet enema 4 to 5 hours before and nothing to eat for 4 to 6 hours, and leave metal and jewelry at home. Your confirmation carries the exact instructions. 3. **Get your results** One of our board-certified radiologists reads your exam. The report goes to your doctor, usually within 24 to 48 hours, and appears in your patient portal. ## Where to go The calcium score is at three centers. Prostate MRI is at West on the 3-Tesla wide-bore magnet and at East on the 1.5-Tesla. ### Coronary calcium score - [West](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/heart-tests): 122 W. Castellano Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. Open Saturdays. - [Central](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/central/heart-tests): 7812 Gateway Blvd. East, Suite 120, El Paso, TX 79915. Weekdays only. - [East](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/lee-trevino/heart-tests): 1727 Lee Trevino Dr., El Paso, TX 79935. Open Saturdays. ### Prostate MRI - [West](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/west/mri): 122 W. Castellano Dr., El Paso, TX 79912. Open Saturdays. - [East](https://desertimagingcenters.com/locations/lee-trevino/mri): 1727 Lee Trevino Dr., El Paso, TX 79935. Open Saturdays. ## Two exams, one month A coronary calcium score is a quick CT of the heart that counts calcium in the coronary arteries. Healthy arteries have none, so a score can point to early coronary disease years before a symptom. No contrast, a few minutes on the table. It is a self-pay exam; ask for the price when you book. A prostate MRI gives your urologist a detailed picture of the prostate without radiation. On the 3-Tesla wide-bore magnet at West the opening is 75 centimeters and many exams are shorter. Your doctor may order it after a PSA test, before a biopsy, or to follow a known condition. - [Read more: what a wide-bore MRI changes](https://desertimagingcenters.com/blog/claustrophobic-what-a-wide-bore-mri-changes) ## Common questions ### Do I need a doctor's order? Yes, for both exams. Your doctor's office can fax it to us or send it through the physician portal, or you can bring it with you. ### Is a calcium score covered by insurance? It is a self-pay exam. Ask us for the price when you book. CareCredit financing is available. ### How long does a prostate MRI take? Most MRIs take 20 to 45 minutes. On the 3-Tesla system at West, many exams are shorter. ### I'm claustrophobic. What are my options? West has a 3-Tesla wide-bore magnet with a 75 cm opening and shorter exams. Tell us when you book. Going in feet first and bringing a companion also help. ### How do I get my results? One of our radiologists reads the exam and sends the report to the doctor who ordered it. You can read the same report in the patient portal. ## Read here in El Paso Your exam is read by our board-certified radiologists, in El Paso since 2002. [Meet our radiologists](https://desertimagingcenters.com/about/radiologists) ## Request your appointment Send the request below and we will get back to you to confirm the date and center. Or call us and we will book it on the phone. - [Request your appointment](https://eforms.abbadox.com/240384671438865) - Call (915) 577-0100 - Your doctor can send the order with our referral form. [PDF](https://desertimagingcenters.com/forms/referral-form.pdf)