Episode 621: Whole-Body MRI for Cancer Screening: Many findings, little benefit

About this episode

The episode discusses the evidence surrounding whole-body MRIs for cancer screening, highlighting the number of abnormalities found versus actual cancers detected and the implications for patient communication.

In episode 621, Tina, James and Mike K talk about the evidence around whole-body MRIs. We discuss how many abnormalities are found, how many cancers are actually found, and finally the lost opportunity costs. You need to know these numbers to talk to your patients about the value or lack thereof of doing this test. […]

People in this episode

Host: James McCormack

Guests: Tina, Mike K

Topics covered

• whole-body MRI
• cancer screening
• medical evidence
• abnormalities
• patient communication

Keywords

• whole-body MRI
• cancer screening
• medical evidence
• abnormalities
• patient communication

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Best Science Medicine Podcast

More episodes of Best Science Medicine Podcast - BS without the BS

• Episode 623: Less than 140, 130, or 120? Counting down to the optimal systolic blood pressure target · June 8, 2026 · 25 min
• Episode 622: Bronchodilator with Benefits? Budesonide-formoterol rescue inhaler for asthma · May 30, 2026 · 28 min
• Episode 620: Back on the stand: Colchicine for secondary cardiovascular prevention update · April 15, 2026 · 25 min
• Episode 619: Scan, See, Decide: POCUS in the Evaluation of Dyspnea · March 17, 2026 · 27 min
• Episode 618: From Nerve Pain to Knee Pain: Gabapentinoids for osteoarthritis · March 6, 2026 · 22 min
• Episode 617: A Whiff of Prevention: Treating Male Partners to Reduce Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence · February 25, 2026 · 28 min