Question 51 of 433
Should I get a full-body MRI?
The short answer
For most healthy people, no. It finds many things, and most of them are harmless, which starts a chain of worry, repeat scans, and sometimes biopsies.
These scans cost roughly $500 to $2,500, depending on how much of the body is imaged, and are often promoted by celebrities. Finding a small early kidney cancer does happen, and those stories are told loudly. What is not told is how often the scan finds a spot that turns out to be nothing after months of fear and follow-up. No trial has established a mortality benefit from routine whole-body MRI screening in average-risk healthy adults, and the American College of Radiology does not recommend it.
There are exceptions: people with certain inherited cancer syndromes benefit from regular MRI. Cancer blood tests such as Galleri are covered in Part 16. If you still want one, go in knowing make sure you understand incidental findings, possible false reassurance, and the cost of following up.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
NOT DEMONSTRATED — Average-risk asymptomatic adults: whole-body MRI mortality benefit; incidental findings are common.Evidence grade (draft mapping)FNot demonstrated / insufficientPart 4, Q51 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.