WASHINGTON (AP) — What if there were a way to scan your body and spot early signs of cancer and other life-threatening diseases before they became serious?
That’s the pitch from a new group of companies selling high-tech scanners to healthy people who want to know more about their well-being.
These full-body MRI scans aren’t cheap. Startups like Prenuvo charge anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 for various scan options, none of which are currently covered by insurance.
Proponents of the approach say consumer-driven medical reviews are the next logical step in preventative medicine. The industry has received a major boost from celebrities and influencers like Kim Kardashian, who posted about her Prenuvo review last year.
But many medical experts say the companies are selling expensive, unproven technologies that can lead to additional worries and unnecessary treatments, while increasing costs for the American health care system.
Here’s what you need to know before considering an exam:
What is an MRI?
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It is a type of medical test that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of organs, bones, and other structures inside the body. Unlike many other types of tests, MRI does not use radiation.
Doctors order MRIs to help diagnose cancer, brain injuries, damaged blood vessels and other medical problems. Full-body scans can take an hour or more, with patients lying motionless in a cylindrical tube.
Medical societies recommend routine full body exams only for certain high-risk groups, such as people with an increased genetic risk of cancer.
“MRI is a very useful tool for what it’s typically used for,” said Dr. Ernest Hawk, vice chairman of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “But now they’re being put much earlier in an average-risk population, and that’s where you can end up with questions that haven’t been answered yet.”
Why are people paying for them now?
Companies like Prenuvo claim their scans can help identify more than 500 medical issues that may go unnoticed during a typical doctor’s visit.
The company charges $999 for a torso scan, $1,799 for a head and torso scan, or $2,499 for a full body scan. Several other companies offer similar services and rates.
Dr. Daniel Durand, Prenuvo’s chief medical officer, says customers can decide for themselves whether the price is worth it.
“We’re trying to empower people to be more proactive about their health,” Durand said.
In addition to testing and a user-friendly summary of results, customers can consult with a Prenuvo-employed nurse or doctor to discuss next steps.
The company says it doesn’t pay for recommendations, but “sometimes provides free analysis for an unbiased opinion.”
What are the potential drawbacks of MRI screening services?
Many radiologists say that the likelihood of detecting a serious problem, such as a cancerous tumor or brain aneurysm, in an asymptomatic person is very low. On the contrary, CT scans are likely to show growths that are usually harmless. To definitively rule out a problem, additional tests, appointments, and even surgery may be necessary.
“We’re going to end up finding a lot of incidental things,” said Dr. Mina Makary, a radiologist at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center. “That’s going to create more psychological stress or trauma for the patient, including additional costs for tests and procedures that may carry risks.”
Experts also worry that people who have MRI scans will start avoiding other routine exams, such as mammograms.
“You had a scan and it didn’t find anything, so you say, ‘Well, I don’t need to do the other routine things that my doctor recommends that have been proven to prolong life,'” Hawk said.
What do the medical authorities say?
The American College of Radiology does not recommend MRI screening in asymptomatic people, saying there is “no documented evidence” that the technique is “cost-effective or effective in prolonging life.”
The Food and Drug Administration has not approved any MRI devices for preventive screening, but doctors are free to use these devices as they wish.
There are examples of imaging practices that were once considered experimental but later became mainstream. Prenuvo executives say their approach could follow a similar path.
“The evidence will evolve over time, but patients don’t necessarily want to wait 30 years to be able to benefit from it,” said Durand de Prenuvo.
When will we know if MRI screening helps people live longer?
The studies needed to demonstrate such a benefit would have to be very large and lengthy, following a diverse population for years, experts say.
Prenuvo recently announced plans to test 100,000 people and study their health over time. The study isn’t expected to be completed until 2034 or later.
Most people who sign up for Prenuvo’s study have to pay $2,200. But eventually, university or government studies could offer people the opportunity to participate in such research without having to pay any money.
“It’s a great area to be involved in a research study that might provide the information that’s being sought, while also helping to determine whether it’s beneficial or not,” Hawk said. “But doing it outside of a study doesn’t make sense.”
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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