Preventive healthcare is an approach to managing health where measures are put in place to detect diseases as early as possible and to prevent diseases from occurring. Full-body MRI scans are one such method of detecting diseases early, potentially before symptoms have even developed. New Yorkers are increasingly looking to preventive healthcare measures, such as full-body MRI scans, in order to maintain their long-term health.
This article will explain what full-body MRI scans are, how they work, the important role that they play in preventive healthcare, and why they are gaining popularity with New Yorkers. We will also address some common misconceptions so as to show that MRI scans should be an important part of your preventive healthcare activities.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans create detailed images of multiple internal organs and tissues at once. They work using strong magnetic fields to align the hydrogen atoms in the body in the same direction - the physical properties of hydrogen atoms enable them to act like small magnets. Radiofrequency waves are used in short bursts - these knock the hydrogen atoms out of their magnet-induced alignment. When the radiofrequency waves are turned off, the hydrogen atoms re-align to the magnetic field - this re-alignment releases a radio signal which is detected by the scanner and used to create the image of the body. This process is non-invasive and so won’t cause any long-term damage to the body.
In addition to being able to scan multiple organs at once, full-body MRI scans can distinguish between different types of tissue. This makes them particularly effective at identifying tumors found in soft tissue, such as brain or breast cancers. “Silent” diseases - including cancer and cardiovascular disease - are conditions where symptoms may not be apparent until the disease is at an advanced stage. MRIs can detect abnormalities and the earliest stages of disease before any symptoms have developed. Early diagnosis is key to a positive outcome as the disease is most easy to treat at the earliest stages of development.
MRI scans are non-invasive and painless. Prior to the scan, you will undergo a screening process where medical professionals will assess whether any metal within your body - such as a pacemaker or metal joint replacement - will cause any damage or interfere with the scan. The scan itself will take between 15-90 minutes to complete depending on the size of the area being scanned - Ezra’s full-body scans take 1 hour to complete. Headphones or earplugs will be provided to protect the ears from any noises within the scanner - multiple of Ezra’s New York locations provide music whilst in the scanner.
Following the Covid pandemic, New York experienced a fall in life expectancy. To combat this, the city launched initiatives such as HealthyNYC. As part of this, individuals in New York are being encouraged towards proactive healthcare as a way of maintaining good health. Many New Yorkers are therefore turning to preventive healthcare to stay ahead of potential health risks. The busy lifestyles of New Yorkers are resulting in many considering full-body MRI scans as an easy way to screen for health conditions, such as cancer, to give peace of mind and catch any anomalies early. A 20 percent decrease in the number of screenable cancer deaths in New York from 2015-2021 is indicative of successful outcomes when cancer is caught early.
Personalized healthcare solutions are in high demand in New York, as individuals are keen for services that address their specific needs and concerns. Full-body MRI scans provide a comprehensive look inside the body, identifying anomalies and providing a personalized health assessment which can then be actioned for long-term health and wellness.
New York is a hub of high-quality medical institutions, with three appearing in the US News 2024-2025 ranking of the Best 20 Hospitals. These offer New Yorkers easy access to cutting-edge facilities offering innovative medical technologies, including full-body MRI scans at leading imaging centers. High demand for preventive healthcare and the high quality of imaging centers have led Ezra to introduce their full-body scans at multiple locations around New York.
The earlier that diseases, such as cancer, are detected, the higher the probability of successful treatments. When cancer detection occurs at early stages, the survival rate is much higher than detection at later stages - for example, breast cancer has a 99 percent 5-year survival rate when diagnosed at stage 1 but only 31 percent when diagnosed at stage 4. However, the earliest stages of cancer are often asymptomatic or have non-specific symptoms which complicate diagnosis. Full-body MRI scans can detect cancer at the earliest stages and, due to their tissue-differentiating ability, in a large range of tissues - the Ezra full-body MRI scan screens for cancer in up to 13 organs, including the pancreas, lungs, and liver.
Full-body MRIs not only produce a more detailed image than other scanning methods, such as CT scans and PET scans, but are also safer. MRI scans are non-invasive, painless, and do not result in exposure to ionizing radiation (as occurs in CT and PET scans). Individuals undergoing regular preventive screenings should avoid scans using ionizing radiation as repeated exposure is dangerous and can lead to the development of cancer. MRIs are, therefore, more popular than other forms of scan, particularly for those aiming to minimize their risks.
Personalized and detailed health insights can be obtained from full-body MRI scans. They can provide peace of mind to those at risk for conditions including cancer and heart disease. Where anomalies are detected, rapid action can be taken to begin treatment while the disease is at its earliest stages, or preventive measures and lifestyle adjustments can be recommended to prevent diseases from developing. Full-body MRI scans provide individuals with the information that they need to make informed decisions about their health.
Full-body MRI scans are not only for people with existing health conditions but also for those endeavoring to engage more with their health. Scans for preventive purposes enable hidden diseases and abnormalities to be caught early before developing into serious health conditions. They also offer peace of mind, reassuring those at a higher risk of diseases such as cancer.
Though full-body MRIs are perceived as very expensive, advances in technology and services provided by independent companies like Ezra are lowering costs. Hospital-based MRIs have a median charge of approximately $2200, whereas the Full Body Flash package provided by Ezra costs only $1495. In addition, choosing to have a full-body MRI scan will enable early disease detection and treatment - treatment at earlier stages of the disease will cost significantly less than treatment at later stages.
MRI scans are non-invasive, painless, and do not use ionizing radiation, making them a safe and risk-free way to engage with preventive health measures. A limited number of people will be unable to proceed with an MRI due to non-MRI-compatible metal within their body, which may damage or interfere with the scan. However, the majority of implants - such as pacemakers and metal joint replacements - these days are made of MRI-compatible metal and so pose very limited risks.
Full-body MRI scans are revolutionizing preventive healthcare and, as such, are rapidly gaining popularity amongst health-conscious New Yorkers. MRI scans allow the early detection of diseases when they are at their most treatable. They can detect “silent” diseases before symptoms have appeared and can detect pre-disease abnormalities, allowing preventive measures to be put in place before the disease develops. MRI scans are non-invasive and safe, making them a prime option for those seeking regular preventive screenings to maintain optimal health and quality of life.
If you want to become proactive about your health and start preventive healthcare for yourself, why not book an Ezra full-body MRI? Our annual scan catches potential cancer earlier, leveraging AI through the screening process to make it more efficient, affordable, and faster.
