Full-Body MRIs: Are the Risks Worth the Benefits?

Full-body MRI scans are best for patients with multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and melanoma, as well as individuals who have genetic mutations that predispose them to various cancers. While the key benefit to individuals receiving a full-body MRI is possibly catching cancer earlier, radiologists aren't sure the overall benefits of whole-body MRI scans in average-risk or asymptomatic people outweigh the risks. Full-body scans may also be used to determine the extent of cancer or track the cancer’s response to treatments like chemotherapy. However, full-body screenings aren’t recommended for the general population yet, as targeted MRIs that scan a specific part of the body are a more effective approach for the majority of people who either have pain in a specific area or have laboratory abnormalities indicating specific organ issues.