In a recent Instagram post, Kim Kardashian extolled the virtues of undergoing a full-body MRI, lauding it as a potentially “life-saving” procedure capable of identifying diseases in their nascent stages, prior to the emergence of symptoms.
However, what Kardashian overlooked was the absence of compelling evidence supporting the efficacy of this costly diagnostic scan for typically healthy individuals. Moreover, she failed to acknowledge its potential adverse effects, which can include unjustified diagnoses and misguided treatments.
Against this backdrop, our research team sought to investigate the narratives propagated by influencers regarding medical testing. A study recently published in JAMA Network Open scrutinized nearly 1,000 posts on Instagram and TikTok concerning five widely debated medical tests, including the full-body MRI scan, which can pose more risks than benefits for individuals who are otherwise healthy.
Five Controversial Tests
While some tests may offer value, all five evaluated in our study carry the peril of overdiagnosis within a healthy populace. Overdiagnosis occurs when a condition is identified that would never have manifested in symptoms, leading to unnecessary interventions and associated distress, as well as wasted healthcare resources. For instance, Australian estimates suggest that 29,000 cases of cancer are overdiagnosed annually.
Don’t believe the hype. The AMH test can’t reliably predict your chance of conceiving or menopause timing. https://t.co/Wnf0gWDNJg
— Tessa Copp (@TessaCopp) June 14, 2023
Your Takeaway
The plethora of misleading information related to medical tests on social media underscores the pressing need for enhanced regulation. Until such measures are implemented, individuals should exercise discernment; if claims regarding medical testing appear excessively optimistic, they likely warrant skepticism.
Brooke Nickel, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, University of Sydney; Joshua Zadro, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney, and Ray Moynihan, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Vocabulary List:
- Efficacy /ˈɛfɪkəsi/ (noun): The ability to produce a desired or intended result.
- Adverse /ˈæd.vɜrs/ (adjective): Preventing success or development; harmful.
- Overdiagnosis /ˌoʊ.vɚ.daɪ.əɡˈnoʊ.sɪs/ (noun): The identification of conditions that would not have caused symptoms or harm.
- Misleading /ˌmɪsˈliː.dɪŋ/ (adjective): Giving the wrong idea or impression; deceptive.
- Interventions /ˌɪn.tɚˈvɛn.ʃənz/ (noun): Actions taken to improve a situation especially in healthcare.
- Skepticism /ˈskɛp.tɪˌsɪ.zəm/ (noun): An attitude of doubt toward the validity or authenticity of something.
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