Jennifer L. Benjamin D.O.
Radiologist | Body Imaging
825C Merrymon Ave #141 Asheville North Carolina, 28804About
Jennifer L. Benjamin, DO, MPH, is a trained radiologist who transitioned to aesthetic medicine at Asheville Medical Aesthetics PC in Asheville, North Carolina. The practice is dedicated to offering patients the most advanced aesthetic medical treatments available today to enhance personal appearance, health, and well being. Dr. Benjamins radiology background provides her with an intimate knowledge of the face as well as a precise understanding of the physics involved in proper laser and light usage. Her attention to detail gives her the possibility to help her clients to look and feel their best. Dr. Benjamin has 11 years in radiology and is a graduate of the Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, California. She was further trained at Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Doctors Hospital in Ohio. Dr. Benjamin was a researcher in magnetic residence during her portion of residency at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. In addition to her medical degree, she obtained a BA in Philosophy at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a masters degree in public health from Emory University.
Jennifer L. Benjamin D.O.'s Videos
Education and Training
Western University of Health Sciences College
Provider Details
Jennifer L. Benjamin D.O.'s Expert Contributions
What's the earliest I can get a mammogram?
You should have genetic testing done to determine if you carry the BRCA genes that put you at increased risk for breast cancer. You should also request MRI breast screening based on your family history. This will reduce your risk of exposure to radiation from mammograms. Radiation from mammograms is minimal, but if you are looking to start screening at your young age you should try to avoid radiation exposure as much as possible since it is cumulative over your lifetime and cannot be undone. That being said, sometimes the risk of a mammogram is worth it to reap the benefit of early detection of breast cancer. It’s a balancing act. I’d push for MRI screening, preferably somewhere that has a large center or university medical center dedicated to breast imaging. READ MORE
Is skin cancer hereditary?
There are different types of skin cancer. Family history can play some role in your risk of getting skin cancer but the greater factor that creates risk is sun exposure for all types of skin cancer. The other factor that increases risk for skin cancer is having other types of cancers. If you have one type of cancer, your body has had some trigger that responds with over growth of abnormal cells. No one can calculate exactly what your individual risk of getting cancer may be based on your family history, personal history of other cancer or sun exposure. What we can do is identify the factors, exposures and behaviors that generally increase risk for anyone. Whatever your family history is, you can’t change it or do anything about it, so worrying about it is useless. You can’t change past exposures to toxins, radiation, or the sun. What you should focus on is changing the things that are within your control. For example, you can choose to reduce the amount of sun exposure by covering up and using sun blocks. You can choose to get skin cancer exams if you are concerned about a lesion. You can choose to eat things that improve your health. Be wise, be safe, worry less, and make good choices. READ MORE
If I have a shellfish allergy can I have iodine contrast?
Yes. Your body needs iodine and uses it every day. There is iodine in both she'll fish and CT contrast but that is not the antigenic agent. It is something else. While it used to be thought the allergy to shellfish precluded the use of iodinated contrast, that is no longer the case. If you are concerned you can premedicate with an antihistamine like Benedryl and ask your primary care physician for a prescription of steroids to take thirteen hours and one hour before iodinated/CT contrast administration. ALWAYS drink 4-8 glasses of water before and after the contrast in order to protect and flush your kidneys. READ MORE
MRI vs CT contrast
MR contrast is Gadolinium. CT contrast is iodine based. Both create organ enhancement that usually make it easier to detect pathology. Each type of contrast is specific for its modality. They are not interchangeable. There are instances when it is unnecessary to use contrast (like for CT for kidney stones) or inadvisable due to kidney failure or history of allergic reaction. READ MORE
Does CT definitley confirm parotid mass?
There are intraparotid lymph nodes that can get enlarged if the parotid gland is infected. A parotid mass could be a malignancy. A mass can be a lymph node or a malignancy. Lymph nodes are not worrisome unless they are very large due to lymphoma, another form of malignancy. Another type of malignant mass like pleoprphic adenoma is more worrisome. Wait until you get the biopsy results back. Hopefully, that will be definitive and then you can rest easy if it is just a regular or inflamed lymph node. If it's anything else, then you can begin to do more research on the type of malignancy it is. Just a word of caution, FNA can sometimes not collect enough cells and you may need to have a biopsy done with a larger needle. Hopefully, that won't be the case. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Presentations for the Radiological Society of North America -
Fellowships
- Neuroradiology University of Maryland
Professional Society Memberships
- American Osteopathic Association, International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine
Articles and Publications
- Chapter in a Textbook of the Lung
What do you attribute your success to?
- Background in Radiology
Hobbies / Sports
- Photography, Time with Children, Gardening, 3 Dogs
Jennifer L. Benjamin D.O.'s Practice location
Jennifer L. Benjamin D.O.'s reviews
Write ReviewPatient Experience with Dr. Benjamin
Recommended Articles
- What Is an X-Ray?
An X-ray is a type of electromagnetic radiation, which can be used to take digital images of parts of the human body. It is the same with visible light but has a certain different characteristic. The beneficial use of an X-ray is for medical imaging. It can help the physician to look inside your...
- What to Expect After a Biopsy
Biopsies may vary differently depending on the type and location of the tissues and how hard are they to obtain. The medical term used to describe such method is “invasiveness.” A less invasive procedure will, for example, take place in a doctor’s office the same day an abnormal tissue is...
- Reasons Why You Need a Biopsy
OverviewA biopsy is a procedure that involves the removal of a sample tissue in the body to examine it closely under a microscope. The tissue is mainly examined to diagnose a certain disease. Some may use a needle or surgical methods to remove any lumps or suspicious nodules in the body. Some...
- Everything You Need to Know About Biopsy Procedures
What is a biopsy?A biopsy is a medical procedure, which is mostly used in diagnosing cancer. In this procedure, a small tissue sample is taken from your body for a closer examination under the microscope. A biopsy is usually recommended by your doctor if initial tests in your body suggest an...
- How to Prepare for a Biopsy
A biopsy procedure is a very important procedure, which is used to identify the underlying cause of your abnormal body tissues. Depending on your condition and the location of the tissue abnormality, different types of biopsies may be performed on you. A biopsy preparation, therefore, depends on...
- What is Compartment Syndrome?
Compartment syndrome refers to the excessive buildup of pressure within the muscle compartments of the body. This will affect the functioning of the nerves and lead to cell death based on the intensity and duration of the pressure built up. Bleeding and inflammation after an injury usually leads to...
Nearby Providers
- Robert Michael Boerner222 Asheland Avenue Asheville North Carolina 28801
- Jocelyn Medina M.D509 BILTMORE AVE ASHEVILLE NC 28801
- Elizabeth Bray Vorhis MD534 BILTMORE AVE ASHEVILLE NC 28801
- Henri L Kieffer MD534 Biltmore Ave Asheville NC 28801
- Jessica M Ruhland MD534 BILTMORE AVE ASHEVILLE NC 28801
- Toby C Cole MD222 Asheland Ave Asheville NC 28801