A cluster of companies are trying to pitch healthy people on whole-body MRI scans, promising early detection of cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
These scans aren't cheap, with start-up companies like Prenuvo charging between $1,000 and $2,500 for various scanning options, none of which are currently covered by insurance.
Proponents say consumer-driven medical scans are the next logical step in preventive medicine. The industry has received a big publicity push from celebrities and influencers like Kim Kardashian, who posted about her Prenuvo scan last year.
But many say the companies are selling expensive, unproven technology that may cause extra worries and unnecessary treatment, while driving up costs for the U.S. healthcare system.
"MRIs are great for what they're typically used for," said Ernest Hawk, MD, MPH, a vice president at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. "But now you're moving them much earlier into an average-risk population, and that's where you can run into these questions that haven't been answered."
Many radiologists say the likelihood of finding a serious problem, such as a cancerous tumor or brain aneurysm, in someone with no symptoms is very low. Instead, scans are likely to flag growths that are usually harmless. Definitively ruling out a problem could require additional tests, appointments, and even surgeries.
"You're going to end up finding a lot of incidental things," said Mina Makary, MD, a radiologist at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. "That's going to create more psychological stress or trauma for the patient, including additional costs for tests and procedures that may have risks."
Experts also worry that people who undergo MRI scans may start skipping other routine exams, such as mammograms.
"You've gone through a scan and it didn't find anything so you say 'Gee, I don't need to do the other routine things my doctor recommends that have been proven to extend life,'" said Hawk.
Medical societies only recommend routine, full-body MRIs for certain high-risk groups, such as people who have a heightened genetic risk of cancer. The American College of Radiology does not recommend MRI screening in people without symptoms, stating that there is "no documented evidence" the technique is "cost-efficient or effective in prolonging life."
The FDA has not approved any MRI machines for preventive screening, but doctors are free to use the devices however they choose.
Companies like Prenuvo say their scans can help identify more than 500 medical conditions that can go undetected at a typical doctor's visit.
The company charges $999 to scan the torso, $1,799 for the head and torso, or $2,499 for the entire body. Several other companies offer similar services and pricing.
Daniel Durand, MD, Prenuvo's chief medical officer, said customers can decide for themselves if the price is worth it.
"We're trying to give people the opportunity to be more proactive about their health," Durand said.
Along with the scans and a reader-friendly summary of the results, customers can consult with a nurse or physician employed by Prenuvo to talk about next steps.
The company says it doesn't pay for endorsements but will sometimes "provide a complimentary scan for an unbiased review."
Prenuvo recently announced plans to screen 100,000 people and study their health over time. The study isn't expected to wrap up until 2034 or later.
Most people enrolling in Prenuvo's study are expected to pay a $2,200 fee. But eventually, academic or government studies could offer individuals a chance to participate in such research without paying out-of-pocket.
The studies needed to show whether whole-body MRI screening could help people live longer would have to be very large and long, tracking a diverse population for years, experts said.
"This is a great area in which to participate in a research study that might provide the information you're seeking, while also helping answer whether this is beneficial or not," Hawk said. "But doing so outside of a study makes no sense."