{
  "id": 12343820,
  "title": "Before Saying Yes to the Medical Test, Know the Risks and Benefits",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/before-saying-yes-to-the-medical-test-know-the-risks-and-benefits",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-06T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KFF Health News",
    "slug": "kff-health-news",
    "url": "https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/healthq-medical-tests-overtesting-risks-benefits-mri-full-body-scans/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When a woman named Lori Baute first heard about precautionary full-body MRI scans, she disregarded the notion. \"I saw Kim Kardashian had one and other wealthy individuals,\" she noted. At 59 years old, Baute was apprehensive about her long-term health. With a family history of cancer and caring for her aging mother and adult brother with special needs, she decided to visit a clinic offering full-body scans in Ocala, Florida. Following her results, she discovered lesions on her pancreas, which prompted her to consult her gastroenterologist. A targeted MRI scan later confirmed that the lesions were benign cysts. Baute's situation is becoming increasingly prevalent as companies target consumers with body scans as a means to detect cancer and diseases early. However, no major medical bodies, such as the American Cancer Society or the American College of Radiology, endorse these scans for individuals without a high risk of specific cancers. Even medical screenings suggested by doctors may carry risks similar to those of the tests themselves. Before consenting to any test, it's crucial to assess the potential benefits and drawbacks, even if a doctor recommends it. Key considerations include: 1. Every test entails costs and risks. Even routine tests may result in time consumption and substantial expenses. Many directly marketed tests, like full-body scans and at-home blood screening kits, are not covered by insurance, and some tests can reach several thousand dollars. Additionally, some laboratory tests carry the risk of physical harm. For instance, a small percentage of individuals undergoing CT scans annually develop cancer due to radiation exposure. Even seemingly simple procedures like biopsies or endoscopies can lead to pain, infections, tearing, anesthesia reactions, or severe complications. Furthermore, tests can induce anxiety and stress, causing patients to wait for results and experience inconclusive outcomes. 2. Testing frequently leads to additional testing and more risks. Known as the \"diagnostic cascade,\" this phenomenon occurs when test results result in more invasive tests. Doctors refer to this as \"diagnostic cascade.\" In Baute's case, she plans to monitor her pancreas with annual scans. She views the financial costs and anxiety as worthwhile if it allows her to feel in control of her health and knowledge. However, Rita Redberg, a cardiologist and University of California-San Francisco professor, warns of a worst-case scenario documented by JAMA Internal Medicine in 2011. A 52-year-old woman, after starting an exercise program, experienced chest pain and sought medical advice. Her doctor ordered a heart scan to ease her concerns, leading to another test that caused her artery to rip. She underwent emergency bypass surgery, suffered complications, and ultimately required a heart transplant due to the unnecessary scan meant to reassure her. 3. Simple questions can help decide. Before agreeing to any test, it's essential to understand the risks and benefits, even if a doctor suggests it. Rita Redberg advises asking pertinent questions, such as: What will I learn from this test? How will this test aid in my care? Could I improve my health without undergoing this test? Redberg notes that many test results, particularly in cardiology, often point patients back to the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle, such as proper nutrition, exercise, and avoiding smoking. These lifestyle changes could be recommended without the need for a test.",
  "summary": "Tests like full-body scans marketed directly to consumers are pitched as a way to detect diseases early and establish a baseline of health markers. But there are financial, physical, and psychological risks to all medical tests — and in some cases, not getting a test could be better for your health.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}