If you are on social media frequently, you may have noticed an increasing number of influencers promoting full-body MRI scans as a tool to detect cancer in its early stages. What do medical experts have to say about this service? Read on for the details.

Are Whole-Body MRI Scans the Wave of the Future?

The health and wellness longevity culture has been pushing the use of full-body MRI scans more frequently in recent years. But are these scans truly helpful? Full-body MRI company Prenuvo is regarded as a leader in this field. Founder and CEO Andrew Lacy believes that the scans are helpful in establishing a baseline so that future health issues can be detected before they become a bigger problem.

However, not all health care professionals agree that these types of scans are necessary. Dr. Manjiri Dighe, Professor of Radiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, recently said that these whole-body MRI scans are still in their "clinical infancy," stating that the service "lacks the large-scale longitudinal data needed to prove that it saves more lives than it complicates through overdiagnosis."

The high cost of the scans makes them cost-prohibitive for most consumers. In general, the scans are not covered by insurance and can run several thousand dollars.

The results of the tests are mixed. A 2020 study detailed that 95% of asymptomatic patients had some degree of abnormality. However, only 1.8% of these abnormal results were actually cancer.

Prenuvo's specific Polaris Study followed 1,011 patients for at least one year after undergoing a whole-body MRI scan. Of these subjects, 41 had biopsies. Over 50% of the 41 were diagnosed with cancer. Of the confirmed cancer diagnoses, 68% did not have targeted screening tests as part of the scan. In addition, 64% of the cancers were localized when detected. Prevnuvo claims that it detects potentially life-threatening conditions in 1 in 20 patients.

Full-body MRI machines are designed to do more than just detect cancers. These machines can also detect aneurysms and other types of abnormalities that may signal a deeper problem. Doctors recommend asking for a blood panel in conjunction with the scans to provide a clearer picture of what is going on inside the body.

Downsides of Full-Body MRI Scans

While there are definite upsides of full-body MRI scans, some health care professionals also point out that there is evidence that shows the tests do more harm than good. Andrew Vickers, attending research methodologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said that the scans often detect problems that will never cause issues.

Known as "overdiagnosis," the scans are prone to finding abnormal findings that lead to a biopsy that is not necessary. Any type of biopsy comes with the risk of infection. Thus, the scans often lead people down roads that usher in more threats to their health when it is not needed. In short, the harder that doctors look for cancers, the more likely that a patient will be overdiagnosed.

The unnecessary exams and treatments also add more burden to a healthcare system that is already stretched. For most of the population, the statistical probability of seeing a false positive is measurably higher than the odds that the scans detect a curable cancer.

The increase in full-body MRI scans has been fueled by social media influencers. According to a JAMA study published in early 2025, over 87% of influencer posts detailing these types of early-detection scans and tests were positive in nature. Approximately 84% of the posts were direct promotions, making it difficult to discern the true value of the scans.

The social media world feeds on the fact that humans naturally fear that they are missing something about their health that could prove to be fatal. However, experts warn that a negative MRI scan does not always mean that you are disease-free. Some potentially dangerous health conditions are not detected through MRI scans. Therefore, patients who undergo the scan may come away with a false sense of security about their health.

Lastly, the scans and the potential of false positives often cause anxiety that is worse than the actual outcome. It is easy to see how going through the process of the scan, waiting for results, and potentially receiving a false diagnosis can be stressful.

The question that needs to be addressed is how often these unnecessary tests are being performed on low-risk people? And how much are these tests costing over time, both financially and emotionally?

The bottom line is that while full-body MRI scans have their place in today's innovative medical world, they are not a foolproof solution to detect early-stage cancers. Experts caution that more information is not necessarily better information.

As with all medical issues, it is vital to always consult a licensed professional for advice.

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