Full-body scans to look for hidden disease are a bad idea—here’s why

For a not insubstantial fee, many private clinics in the UK offer full-body MRI scans to detect disease and abnormalities at the earliest stage. Kim Kardashian and Kate Hudson are fans. (Other celebrity endorsements are available.) So how do these scans work and are they “life saving,” as Kardashian suggests? MRI produces 3D detailed anatomical images of almost every internal structure in the human body, including the organs, bones, muscles and blood vessels. MRI scanners create images of the body using a large magnet and radio waves. Unlike X-rays or CT, it doesn’t rely on ionizing radiation, which can very Read More