FDA Says Full-Body Scans Lack Proof of Benefit as Prices Reach $2,500
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 20
FDA Says Full-Body Scans Lack Proof of Benefit as Prices Reach $2,500
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 20
Summary
Consumer interest in full-body MRI scans has surged after former "Bachelor" contestant Josh Seiter said a preventive scan found a brain tumor before symptoms appeared.
FDA guidance says there is no scientific evidence that whole-body screening of asymptomatic people provides more benefit than harm, while the AAFP also advises against routine use.
Doctors cited false positives, overdiagnosis, overtreatment and anxiety as key risks; one 2020 study found imaging abnormalities in about 95% of screened subjects.
Providers such as Prenuvo argue MRI scans can catch cancers, aneurysms and other disease early without radiation, and cited a study of more than 1,000 patients that found cancer in 2.2%.
Insurance usually does not cover the scans, leaving healthy consumers to pay up to $2,500 as celebrity endorsements keep widening demand despite limited long-term outcome data.