More and more people are coughing cash as celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton sing praises for full body MRI scans Preventive measures – But is the peace of mind worth a large price tag?
More commonly known as “Dr. Mikhail Varshavsky,” is a podcaster and primary care physician in New Jersey. He recently spoke about his full body scan with Andrew Lacy, CEO of Prenuvo, one of the biggest providers of full body scans.
“I have to say, I’m certainly interested in this technology, and I’m in love with the notion of catching illnesses before, so that we can achieve more success. With treatment“Dr. Mike said during his podcast.
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“But this is something Prenuvo scan proves to offer, and at the day and age we find ourselves, people want more health care than we can still offer.”
How does a full body scan work?
According to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, whole body scans use a variety of techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or positron emission tomography (PET).
Full-body scans use a variety of techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or positron emission tomography (PET). (istock)
The goal is to detect early signs of a disease, such as cancer. Heart disease Other abnormalities.
Dr. Daniel Durand, chief medical officer at Maryland-based Prenuvo, compared the scans to “virtual physical,” where radiologists look inside the body in ways that traditionally do not allow physics in a yearly fashion.
Prenuvo scans use MRI technology to collect “a huge amount of health data.”
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“Two authorized providers will analyze this data, explain its relevance directly to you, and provide guidance on the next steps you need. Optimize your healthHe said.
Insurance usually does not cover full body scans.
“Conditions usually vary widely depending on your insurance plan, jurisdiction, and specific clinical guidelines for each genetic condition,” Dr. Mike told Fox News Digital.
The Chief Medical Officer compares the scans to “virtual physical” and examines the interior of the body in ways that radiologists cannot do traditional annual physics. (Prenuvo)
“My general understanding is that, for screening, testing is usually not covered, given the lack of documented clinical benefits and harm.”
However, some coverage may be provided to high-risk individuals Genetic syndrome Or there are other specific medical conditions, doctors noted.
“Our hope is for insurance companies to see the many benefits of our aggressive approach to healthcare and expand coverage,” said Durand of Prenuvo.
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“We are actively engaged in some research that can provide a foundation. Insurance refund. ”
Depending on the provider and options chosen, the price of a full-body scan could reach $2,500.
The two biggest providers of full body scans are Prenuvo (based in California) and Ezra (based in New York City).
Potential benefits
Dr. Brett Osborne, Florida Neurologist Longevity Expertspreviously spoke about the benefits of Fox News Digital and full body MRI scans.
“Full-body scans, primarily via MRI, provide a significant advancement in the diagnostic capabilities of modern medicine,” he said.
“In many cases, there are early signs of a disease, such as cancer, infections, and aneurysms.”
“MRI technology allows for comprehensive, non-invasive examinations of the body, allowing detection of a wide range of conditions. Including cancer It’s an aneurysm-like vascular malformation, without the need for potentially harmful x-rays, as in the case of a CT scan,” he said.
Durand argued that Prenuvo scans can detect many diseases based on changes into the body inside which can be detected by MRI.
“Usually these changes occur before symptoms develop or before there are signs above. Physical examination“He told Fox News Digital.
“MRI technology allows for comprehensive non-invasive testing of the body to detect a wide range of conditions including cancers such as aneurysms and vascular malformations without the need for potentially harmful x-rays, as in the case of CT scans.” (istock)
“So in many cases you’ll see early signs of a disease, such as cancer, infections, and aneurysms,” he continued. “Looking at them before allows for early treatment before the illness has little or no permanent damage.”
Doctors share concerns
Dr. Mike told Fox News Digital that he does not recommend that any of his patients undergo an MRI screening scan.
“High costs and lack of clear medical indications for extensive screening (low risk and asymptomatic) will lead to agreeing to major routine healthcare providers. Whole body MRI screening Because the general population is not recommended,” he said.
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Many of these scans’ popularity are driven by celebrities, and sometimes celebrities receive them for free, Dr. Mike said.
“My understanding is that even if you receive a free scan, it’s a business relationship that the FTC needs to disclose,” he said. “My understanding is that companies themselves cannot argue that their tests cannot save lives, so they work with celebrities who can make personal claims that are not subject to the same clinical trial surveillance.”
“At the current technology level, I am against full body scans and support more directed work-ups initiated by professional physicians who know what I’m looking for,” one doctor told Fox News Digital. (istock)
“This also sends contradictory messages to consumers and causes confusion.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst and professor of clinical medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News, also did not recommend these scans to patients.
“When you do a full-body scan, you tend to pursue all the positive findings, whether it’s really important or not.”
“In the current state The level of technologyI am against full body scans in favor of more directed work-ups initiated by professional doctors who know what they are looking for,” he told Fox News Digital.
“When you do a full-body scan, you tend to pursue all the positive findings, whether it’s really important or not.”
Siegel also noted the high cost and the fact that full-body scans are “often hypersensitivity.”
One doctor warned of mental risks, including anxiety during the procedure (claustrophobia), stress from accidental discoveries, and increased health-related worries. (istock)
“They may replace more oriented and accurate studies and screening tests that are more suitable for specific patients’ symptoms, history and genetic testing,” Siegel warned.
Doctors also noted the current shift towards a more personalized healthcare approach. artificial intelligence. ”
“This leads to more supervised work-up rather than more whole body scans.”
According to Dr. Mike, the most important risks associated with these whole body scans are issues that arise from false positives, overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
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there is Mental risksincluding increased anxiety during the procedure (claustrophobia), stress from accidental findings and health-related concerns, doctors noted.
“Some supporters say it can alleviate health-related anxiety. But I’m pretty skeptical of that claim,” he said. “Based on my clinical experience, even getting a clear scan would temporarily ensure peace of mind.”
“I don’t know if they’re catching the disease early or if they’re saving more people by overdiagnosing, false positives, or harming people who are being treated too much.”
A study published in 2020 found that imaging abnormalities were expected in about 95% of subjects screened, according to doctors.
“This means that a large portion of the people scanned present them with some discovery,” he said. “I can’t imagine how helpful it would be to someone who is already prone to health concerns.”
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In a podcast interview with Dr. Mike’s Lacey, CEO Prenuvo said long-term data on these screening scans are not yet available.
“So, now we don’t know if we’ll catch the disease early or if we’ll save more people by hurting people who are overdiagnosed, false positives, and overtreated,” Dr. Mike said.
“Except for emergencies, if there is no clear data on the harm and benefits of interventions, particularly intended to be used. Healthy personI can’t widely recommend it. ”
“Before you have the CT screening procedure, we will carefully investigate, consider and discuss potential risks and benefits with your doctor,” the FDA advised. (istock)
Prenuvo cited a recent study of over 1,000 patients who were followed over a year.
“In this sample, pathologically demonstrated cancer was discovered in 2.2% of pregnant patients,” Durand told Fox News Digital. “Importantly, most of these cancers are early stages, and most of them are Types of cancer There are no widely accepted screening tests. ”
Health Organization Guidelines
The latest guidance from the FDA reflects physicians’ concerns.
“At this point, the FDA doesn’t know any scientific evidence that whole-body scans of symptoms-free individuals provide more benefits than harming those being screened,” the authorities said on its website.
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The FDA also warned of “relatively high radiation exposure” from CT scans. The risk of exposure is “significantly outweighed” by the benefits of diagnostic and therapeutic scans, but the agency said the “benefits are questionable” for systemic screening of asymptomatic people.
“Before you have the CT screening procedure, we will carefully investigate, consider and discuss potential risks and benefits with your doctor,” the FDA advised.
The US Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) also recommends systemic scans for early tumor detection in asymptomatic patients.
