Full Body Scan for Cancer: Info, Price & Get a Scan

Full body scans have become an invaluable tool in preventative healthcare in recent years. In addition to providing an overall health check, these scans - which use computerised imaging to examine the whole body - can detect early signs of many serious diseases before symptoms appear. Among these diseases is cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide.

Here’s what you need to know about getting a full body scan for cancer, including the different types, what they involve, and how to book one.

What is a full body scan?

A full body scan is a comprehensive, non-invasive screening of your entire body. Using the latest modern technology, high-quality 3D images are produced of your internal bodily structure from head to pelvis, and sometimes head to toe. These images enable doctors to analyse and identify a range of conditions and abnormalities in organs, tissues, bones, and blood vessels. The key benefit is the early detection of diseases, often before symptoms have manifested.

There are several types of full body scans available. The most suitable option depends on your individual health circumstances. The main screening types include:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan - a technique using strong magnets and short radio wave bursts to produce high-resolution images of soft tissues, organs, and blood vessels for detailed examination. MRI scans can detect a range of serious conditions, including cancer, tumours, brain disorders, and organ disease.
Computed Tomography (CT) scan - uses multiple X-ray images processed by computer software to create a cross-sectional view of the body. CT scans are faster than MRI scans and provide more detailed images of bones, making them useful in emergency situations. However, they carry a small risk of radiation exposure.
Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan - a technique that uses low-dose X-ray images to measure body composition, including fat distribution, muscle mass, and bone density. While useful for assessing risk factors for serious conditions, DEXA scans do not detect illnesses or diseases themselves.

Who should get a scan?

Full body scans are available to most people, though they are generally not offered on the NHS. This means you will usually have to pay out of pocket. While they might not be recommended for everyone, you might consider a scan if you:

Seek reassurance about your overall health, especially if you are a sportsperson or physically active
Are considered high-risk due to factors such as a family history of disease, being overweight, being aged 50+, or smoking
Have experienced a close friend or family member go through an illness, and want to proactively check on your own wellbeing
Have had cancer in the past and want to monitor for recurrence
Are experiencing unexplained or persistent symptoms

If you fall into one of these groups, a full body scan could be a great option. It’s worth remembering, there are alternatives to consider if you have found a symptom of cancer (such as a lump), or have acute symptoms. In these cases, a targeted diagnostic scan focusing on a specific body part, or other screening methods like blood tests, may be more suitable.

Is a full body MRI scan effective for detecting cancer?

Full body MRI scans have proved to be a good method of early detection for several cancers. They generate highly detailed images of the entire body and are also safer than methods such as full body CT scans, which come with a small radiation risk and are not recommended as a cancer screening technique by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Certain cancers, such as pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancer, are difficult to detect early because they often lack symptoms. Full body MRIs can detect small lesions, as little as 1 cm, which may indicate early stage cancer. Studies suggest they are effective at detecting malignant tumours and bone metastases, and they are considered the best whole body screening methods for certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer.

However, bear in mind that full body scanning is not the best form of standalone testing for cancer in general. Some cancer types, such as lung and breast cancer, are less likely to show up on a full body MRI, and targeted screening methods like mammograms are more effective for these cases. Furthermore, tiny tumours just a few millimetres in size may be missed, and scans can’t always determine whether a tumour is cancerous. Additional testing such as a biopsy may be needed to confirm this.

How a full body MRI scan detects cancer

MRI scans work by using powerful magnets and radio wave bursts to analyse hydrogen molecules inside the body. The scanner creates detailed high-resolution images of tissues, organs, and bones, allowing doctors to identify abnormalities such as:

Cancerous tumours in and around soft tissues
Abnormal growths and lesions on organs, tissues, and blood vessels, which may indicate early stage cancer
Metastases, which occur when cancer cells spread from their original location to bones, other tissues, and organs

Types of cancer that can be detected

Full body MRIs can help with early detection and monitoring of many types of cancer, including:

Bladder cancer
Brain tumours
Cervical cancer
Colorectal cancer
Kidney cancer
Liver cancer
Lymphoma (Hodgkin’s & Non-Hodgkin’s)
Ovarian cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Prostate cancer
Thyroid cancer

Whole body scans can also detect signs of other key cancers, such as lung cancer and stomach cancer. However, they are less effective than CT scans and targeted screenings because the movement of air can interfere with image clarity. Full body MRI scans are generally not used to identify:

Breast cancer
Leukaemia
Skin cancer
Lung cancer

What happens at the scan?

You should aim to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. After checking in and completing any necessary paperwork, the process typically follows these steps.

Change into a medical gown

For most scans, you’ll be directed to a private area to change into a loose hospital gown. You’ll usually keep your underwear on, but you’ll need to remove any bras with underwires along with any jewellery. Most facilities provide secure lockers for storing your belongings during the scan.

Remove metal objects

MRI scans use powerful magnetic forces, so it’s important to remove any detachable metal objects, as they can interfere with the scanning machinery. These may include:

Jewellery (including piercings)
Hearing aids
Dentures
Hair clips
Wigs
Makeup containing metallic fibres

If you have permanent metal implants such as pacemakers or fixed metal plates, inform the scanning centre in advance, as MRI scans may not be suitable. In such cases, an alternative scan may be recommended.

Lie on the padded table

After a short safety briefing, the radiographer will ask you to lie on a motorised scanning bed - usually on your back with your arms at your sides. To enhance comfort, facilities often provide:

Foam pads and cushions for supporting your head, neck and sometimes knees
Ear protection (headphones or earplugs) to reduce noise from the scanner
A buzzer that you can press to speak to the scanning team via an intercom system

Move into a tunnel-shaped machine

Once you’re comfortable, the radiographer will slowly slide the bed head-first into the MRI machine - an open-ended tunnel-shaped scanner roughly the length of your head and torso.

If you experience claustrophobia, let the staff know in advance. They can provide support, such as a mild sedative, to help you relax.

Machine captures images using magnets and radiofrequencies

Inside the scanner, the machine captures detailed 3D images using magnetic fields and radio waves. The process involves:

Aligning hydrogen atoms in your body using magnetic forces
Applying radio frequency pulses to disturb this alignment
Measuring the emitted signals as atoms return to their original state

The computers then generate detailed cross sectional images of tissues, blood vessels, and organs, such as:

Brain
Kidneys
Liver
Pancreas
Prostate

Stay still and communicate with technician

To ensure clear images, you must remain as still as possible. If needed, staff can provide Velcro straps to help you keep in place.

You’ll be able to communicate with the radiographer through a two-way intercom. They will:

Provide instructions, including whether to relax or move slightly
Guide you through breath-holding (typically for 10-20 seconds) to improve image clarity

Receive results and follow-up

After the scan:

A radiologist will review the images
They will prepare a report outlining any findings and next steps
Your doctor or clinician will discuss the results with you, explain any concerns, and guide you through additional tests (if needed), such as biopsies or targeted cancer screenings

How long does it take?

A full body MRI scan for cancer typically takes 60-90 minutes in total. This is longer than a full body CT scan, which takes around 30 minutes, due to the time required to generate highly detailed soft tissue images. A general breakdown of the time involved is:

15-20 minutes for preparation
60-90 minutes for the actual scan
5-10 minutes for post-scan discussion and getting dressed

Benefits

The key benefit of a full body scan for cancer is the potential for early detection, enabling faster diagnosis and quicker treatment. You don’t have to wait for symptoms to appear before getting a scan, allowing you to check for potential issues before they develop - or, in some cases, before it’s too late. Studies show that nearly 4 in 10 cancers are linked to preventable risk factors, meaning early detection can prompt crucial lifestyle changes to improve your health.

Full body MRI scans for cancer can offer several advantages over other types of body scan, including:

Superior soft tissue contrast, making MRI scans highly effective at detecting tumours in various organs and tracking their progression over time.
No exposure to ionising radiation, unlike CT scans and PET scans, making them a safer option for repeated screenings.
A non-invasive and pain-free process, with no need for injections, cuts, or fasting. While some MRI scans require a contrast agent for enhanced image clarity, this isn’t currently a feature of our full body MRI scans.

Risks

Although full body MRI scans are highly accurate and are considered safer than other screening methods, they are not entirely risk-free. No medical scan is completely reliable all of the time. MRI scans can generate:

False positives, where benign or incidental tumours, cysts, or nodules appear, leading to overdiagnosis, further testing, and anxiety that something may be wrong when it isn’t.
False negatives, where abnormalities linked to illnesses could be missed.

Studies indicate that whole body MRIs have a higher rate of false positives (16%) compared to false negatives (2%). Your clinician will explain the risk of false positives before you undergo a scan.

Another risk of MRI scans is magnetic interference, which can be problematic for individuals with metal implants. In such cases, medical professionals usually recommend alternative scans. Those in the early stages of pregnancy are also generally advised against MRIs, though this is primarily a precautionary measure with no known risks to the baby.

Costs

A private full body MRI scan in the UK costs around £1500-£2500. Patients typically pay these fees out of pocket, as private health insurance generally only covers such scans when considered medically necessary or for diagnostic purposes. Some insurers offer plans that include preventative scans, though these often come with higher premiums.

Other imaging scans for cancer detection

CT Scan

CT scans are commonly used for cancer diagnosis. During the procedure, patients lie on a flat bed while a ring-shaped X-ray scanner rotates around them, capturing multiple images. These images are processed by computer software to create detailed 3D views of the body. CT scans provide high-quality images that reveal tumours and abnormal growths; however, they are not as detailed as MRI scans on certain body areas. While CT scans are quicker than MRI scans, they expose patients to ionising radiation, which can slightly increase cancer risk over time. Therefore, they are typically used for targeted scans rather than full body screening. CT scans are particularly effective in detecting lung and colorectal cancer.

The procedure often involves administering a contrast dye, either via injection or oral consumption, to enhance image quality. Patients are usually required to fast for several hours before the screening, and there can be some side effects associated with the contrast dye.

PET Scan

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans are often combined with CT scans (PET-CT) or MRI scans (PET-MRI) to produce more accurate 3D images of tissues and organs. PET scans are primarily used to confirm diagnoses, assess disease spread, or monitor treatment progress. The procedure involves injecting a small amount of a glucose-based tracer called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which highlights cancerous cells, as they absorb FDG at a faster rate than normal cells. Patients typically fast for a few hours before the injection and are scanned about an hour afterward.

Like CT scans, PET scans expose patients to ionising radiation. However, they are less effective than MRI or CT scans at identifying smaller tumours (less than 1 cm). As a result, PET scans are rarely used as the initial diagnostic tool.

X-Ray

X-ray scans are often the first imaging step in detecting abnormal growths. They are quick, typically taking just minutes, and use low-dose electromagnetic radiation to generate 2D images of soft tissues, organs, and bones. During the scan, you may be required to stand, sit, or lie down while an X-ray machine is positioned near your body. Different tissues absorb X-ray energy at varying rates, with denser structures (e.g. bones) appearing lighter and softer tissues (e.g. organs) appearing darker.

X-ray scans are particularly effective in identifying bone metastases (cancer that has spread to the bones). Chest X-rays are commonly used as an initial diagnostic tool for lung cancer. Due to low radiation exposure, the associated health risks are minimal.

Ultrasound

Unlike many other imaging techniques, ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of organs and tissues. During the procedure, a sonographer applies a cool gel to the skin over the area being examined and moves a small hand-held probe, or transducer, across the surface. The transducer picks up sound waves, which are processed to generate detailed images.

Ultrasounds are particularly good for examining soft tissues and determining whether abnormal growths are cysts or tumours, making them a useful cancer detection tool. They work better on organs that don’t contain air, such as the liver, breasts, and reproductive organs. If an ultrasound detects a tumour, a Doppler ultrasound may be used to assess blood flow around it.

Mammogram

A mammogram is the most common screening tool for breast cancer. It uses low-dose X-rays to capture detailed images of the breast, allowing the detection of very small lumps before they can be felt. Mammograms can identify cancer years before symptoms appear. However, they are less effective in women under 40, as they tend to have denser breast tissue which makes it harder to pick up abnormalities with X-rays.

Regular mammograms are available on the NHS for women aged 50 and over. Mammograms can be obtained privately from age 40. Although effective, mammograms cannot differentiate between benign cysts and harmful tumours, often requiring follow-up scans. The radiation dose is low, but mammograms are not considered safe for pregnant women unless the benefits would outweigh any risks.

Bone Scan

A bone scan is a specialised X-ray test used to detect abnormal growths in the bones, particularly when assessing cancer spread from soft tissues. The process takes longer than most other scans, as a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into your veins approximately 2-3 hours before the scan. A gamma camera then scans the bones, identifying areas (hot spots) where the tracer has accumulated, which may indicate regions of bone damage or repair.

You are typically required to fast for several hours before a bone scan.

Endoscopic Ultrasound

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an internal imaging technique that combines ultrasound with endoscopy. A thin tube equipped with a camera and an ultrasound probe is inserted into the body, usually via the mouth, to examine the gastrointestinal tract. Sound waves generate clear images of the area, allowing doctors to further investigate abnormalities found in previous scans or assess the spread of a cancer.

Endoscopic ultrasounds are commonly used to examine the:

Stomach
Pancreas
Oesophagus (food pipe)
Gallbladder
Parts of the bowel

Doctors can also use this procedure to collect tissue samples for biopsy. The entire process takes a few hours, and you are typically given either an anaesthetic or a sedative before the scan.

Get a full body MRI scan without referral

No GP referral is needed to book a full body scan with us - simply complete a quick online process to schedule your scan at one of our centres nationwide. A clinician will contact you to explain the process and discuss any concerns or expectations you may have. They will also provide post-scan support, ensuring you receive any necessary follow-up care.