Imagine being able to replace a series of medical tests and radiation exposure with a single check that evaluates all your organs. That's exactly what magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) full body scanning and artificial intelligence promise to do. This revolutionary technology can change the landscape of preventive medicine, offering a comprehensive and detailed view of internal health efficiently and safely. But will it be available to everyone?
Just one scan
Despite the high cost ($1350 to $2500) full body scanning is gaining popularity. This type of system offers a detailed overview of health, but the medical community is cautious about using it for healthy adults, highlighting the risks of unnecessary procedures following the discovery of generally benign abnormalities.
The startup Prenuvo, one of the most advanced in the field, uses magnetic fields and radio waves to systematically examine every system and organ of the body. It detects over 500 medical conditions without the use of ionizing radiation, unlike CT scans and x-rays.
Others like Ezra they are implementing their own artificial intelligence (AI) which improves the clarity of MRI images and the interpretation of results. This technology promises to reduce the time and cost of scans, potentially making them more accessible.
The reactions of the medical community
The American College of Radiology does not currently recommend full body scans for asymptomatic patients. There is a lack of evidence on its effectiveness in prolonging life, but above all there is no economic convenience.
Doctors also express concerns about the lack of standardized methods for interpreting scan results and the psychological impact of unnecessary follow-ups on patients. In some cases, they say, it's better not to know. In what sense?
Pros and cons of single scanning in preventive medicine
Proponents of this system argue that the single scan could significantly change primary care, especially in early cancer detection. The high costs? With further technological advancements and more widespread use, they will no longer be a problem. Maybe.
Skeptics, for their part, fear that these highly precise instruments will become a privilege only of the wealthy and of the private healthcare system. On a "philosophical" level, pass me the term, they believe that such a meticulous examination exposes one to the risk of psychosis. A total body scan would, they say, produce an exponential increase in invasive operations, perhaps to remove tiny anomalies that could never have caused problems. And which, I add, would never have been detected.
How will it end?
These scans present a bold vision for transforming our health, focusing on prevention rather than reaction. They fit well into a future where personalized healthcare, supported by technology and telemedicine, becomes the norm.
Common sense and logic make me think that their diffusion will not be long in coming. Just as they make me think that they will not be so widespread in the less well-off sections of the population. If you don't believe it, try booking a "simple" CT scan in the public sector (if you are in Italy), or in the private sector if you don't have adequate health insurance.
And it's a shame, given the billions that are spent on oncological treatments for tumors that such systems could identify immediately, avoiding subsequent problems and expenses.
