Whole-body MRI resurges as social media fuels interest, but experts warn of limited benefit and potential harm

Elective whole-body MRI screenings are climbing in popularity driven by social media, with proponents arguing for early cancer and condition detection. Medical experts caution these scans often do not improve survival, can lead to unnecessary testing and surgeries from false positives, and come with substantial out-of-pocket costs (about $1,500–$4,000) that insurers rarely cover. Physicians urge weighing benefits against risks and discussing personal history with a primary care provider before deciding.