Full-Body MRI: Blessing or Curse?
Critics vs. Supporters: The Debate Over Full-Body MRI
Critics argue that our unrelenting desire for safety and certainty drives us toward new, better, and inevitably more expensive medical diagnostics to determine if we're genuinely healthy or if some form of cancer lurks within us. Supporters contend that it's another significant step toward a personal mindset that values preventive medicine and is willing to invest in health and longevity.
The costs of a full-body MRI scan start at around €1,000/USD and can increase based on the complexity of the scan (e.g., the types of sequences used). Major providers include Prenuvo in the U.S. and Aristra in Germany.
My inspiration: Zeit Wissen Podcast
I recently listened to an intriguing podcast by Maria Mast , where editor Johannes Gernert discusses his recent full-body MRI experience. Beyond the usual challenges of claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), lying still, and following breath commands, he describes another fear not unique to preventive full-body MRI: the fear of disease. In this context, the fear is unique because it stems from our voluntary decision to undergo the scan. This anxiety is part of the price paid to gain potential certainty about our health.
Is It All About Making Money?
It depends. While it is undoubtedly a lucrative and growing business without scientific evidence yet, it holds substantial potential to improve medicine by increasing the diagnosis of early-stage diseases like cancer or neuro-inflammatory or neurodegenerative diseases. Diagnosing diseases early reduces treatment costs, conserves resources (promoting sustainability), and significantly improves the chances of recovery or slowing disease progression.
However, the downside is identifying insignificant findings that require follow-up or even treatment. This can lead to adverse consequences for the patient due to the risks and side effects of medical procedures. It can also strain the healthcare system by driving up costs. This makes it crucial to have a thoughtful discussion about handling the results from such scans.
How Can We Determine the Value of Full-Body MRI?
Several clinical trials are underway to assess the actual benefits of full-body MRI. The Nako trial in Germany is one such study, involving 200,000 healthy people who receive regular medical checkups, including full-body MRIs.
My Take on This
I agree with Fabian Bamberg that it may be too early to consider full-body MRI an established tool in preventive medicine, as no clinical trials yet provide evidence of improved survival. However, ongoing trials will soon clarify whether money spent on full-body MRIs is well-invested.
A challenge we cannot ignore is the need to reduce the number of patients treated yearly in hospitals due to limited resources. To achieve this, we must promote preventive medicine, and full-body MRI could be a key component. However, we need to figure out a way to manage insignificant findings. Even this term is problematic because it depends heavily on context and factors such as age, culture, personal mindset, lifestyle, etc.
How do you think this should be handled? Could we develop a list of significant findings? Can an algorithm account for this complexity and provide recommendations (likely a nightmare for some in AI)? Should it be up to the patient and/or the doctor? Or is there another way to handle this complexity more comprehensively?
Sources
Dr. Maria Mast
(accessed 07.05.24)