An estimated 50 million CT scans are performed every year, making it one of the most popular diagnostic tools worldwide.

CT scans combine the power of x-ray technology with computers to allow your physician to view thin cross-sections of your internal organs --commonly called "slices"-- without the need for surgery. Student Will Hulseman says "I've never had a CAT Scan before so I didn't really know what to expect."

But radiology technologist Michelle Robinson says if you don't know what to expect before your test---have no fears. "We actually educate them before their test. We explain everything to them briefly so that they know what's going to happen to them before it's done."

Will also says "She basically told me what to do and I just went in the machine and yeah, it wasn't that bad."

Michelle also says that "They're going to go into the machine, either feet first or their head first, it's all depends on what kind of CAT scan they're going to have. The machine tells them to take in a breath and hold it an tells them when to breath."

It's really quite simple, all you have to do is lie down on this table and the machine does the rest of the work by sliding you into the diagnostic tube.

And if you have major concerns about not knowing what to expect when you go in for a CT scan, call your radiology department the day before your exam and they'll give you more details.