Topline
Billionaire Kim Kardashian promoted the use of a Prenuvo scan Wednesday—a preventive full-body scan not covered by insurance—as “lifesaving,” but medical experts have recommended against the practice over the cost and inaccessibility of the proactive MRI scans to the broader public.
Some experts caution against the scans—brought into the mainstream by celebrities like Kardashian—as … [+]
Key Facts
Kardashian took to Instagram Wednesday to urge her fans to get a scan in one of Prenuvo’s “lifesaving [machines],” which the reality star said has the ability to “detect cancer and diseases such as aneurysms in its earliest stages, before symptoms arise.”
The reality star said the scan was like “getting a MRI for an hour with no radiation,” and noted that her post was not a paid advertisement for the company.
The scan that Kardashian underwent looks for things like disc herniation, musculoskeletal conditions, fatty liver disease and MS detection, according to Prenuvo’s website.
The full-body scan Kardashian underwent costs $2,500 and takes about 60 minutes to complete.
The company also offers a head & torso scan that takes 45 minutes to complete and costs $1,799, as well as a torso scan that takes 20 minutes to complete at the bargain-basement price of $999.
Key Background
Founded in 2018, by businessman Andrew Lacy and MRI physicist and radiologist Rajpaul Attariwala, Prenuvo offers preventive, full-body scans to individuals looking for early detection on various illnesses. Prenuvo says whole-body scan can capture up to ten times more images with a higher resolution than a standard MRI, the company claims. The company said it aims to “transform the medical paradigm from reactive to proactive,” to expand life expectancy and offer peace of mind. While MRIs can expose individuals to a strong, static magnetic field and radiofrequency energy, the scans are widely considered to be safe among the medical community, according to the FDA.
Chief Critic
The Prenuvo scan has come under fire from many in the medical community since it burst onto the scene five years ago. The American College of Preventive Medicine has said they do not recommend whole-body scanning for asymptomatic people, citing the lack of evidence for their effectiveness. The ACPM cautioned that the scans could “cause significant harms, and waste money and healthcare resources.” Matthew Davenport, vice chair of the American College of Radiology’s Quality and Safety Commission, told Insider in December that the scans are “a terrible idea.” Davenport warned the scans could cause harm to the patients by urging them to undergo unnecessary testing. But Prenuvo maintains the safety of their scans, saying the “technology is backed by clinically validated research.”
Tangent
It’s not just Kardashian: Other celebrities are also hopping on the trend. Paris Hilton, Cindy Crawford, Miranda Kerr and Kardahsian’s mother, Kris Jenner, have all publicized their experiences with the Prenuvo scan. Maria Menounos recently shared how her experience with Prenuvo revealed she had Stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Menounos has touted the scan as a lifesaver and has noted that these scans are not accessible for everyone, saying on Instagram that she’s “working to get these scans covered by insurance for everyone.”
Big Number
$70 million. That’s how much money Prenuvo raised in October to fund investments in “the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) team, new radiology tools, custom advanced MRI Builds and national expansion.” Investors include Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23&Me, and Crawford. The company has 8 locations across North America and plans to open 12 more.
Forbes Valuation
We estimate Kardashian to be worth $1.7 billion, largely thanks to her shapewear brand, Skims. Kardashian first landed on Forbes’ billionaire list in 2021 and was No. 16 on Forbes’ list of the wealthiest self-made women in the U.S. last year.
Further Reading
Meet Prenuvo, A Company That Says Its Whole-Body MRI Scan Can Detect The Earliest Stages Of Disease. Experts Say It Could Do More Harm Than Good. (Business Insider)
CORRECTION (8/10): This story has been updated to note MRIs can expose people to a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency energy, not radiation.