MRI would it show

[Popsicle82646]

I'm considering laying private for a full Body MRI as part of a health MOT.

Please no judgment on why I am choosing to have one, I do have health anxiety so I have my reasons.

I wanted to ask if anyone could tell me if a Full body MRI would detect:
Bowel cancer
Oesophageal cancer
Stomach cancer
Neck/throat cancer

Thank you ☺️

I don’t think it would detect bowel cancer but don’t know about the others.

Hi OP,

I'm not sure if an MRI would detect all those things or not. But I just wanted to say I completely understand how you feel. I've booked a private GP appointment this Friday for the first time in my life and it's to request a referral for a private abdominal CT scan. So I'm sort of in a similar boat and I think for very similar reasons.

No. You would need an endoscopy for that. MRI isn't as detailed as that and although it might show something there it wouldn't be detailed enough to show what.

No. I had a colonoscopy for suspected bowel cancer and I remember the letter saying I could have a CT if I was unable to have a colonoscopy (can’t remember if it listed the reasons when a colonoscopy isn’t suitable) but it did state that a CT is not as effective and may not pick up any issues

I think you need a scope to detect bowel or stomach cancer. If they found anything suspicious they would take samples to test and then they would likely do an MRI afterwards.

Thank you for your message, it's so tough isn't it I'm just not getting anywhere with my GP who keeps saying it's IBS but this pain is just not going away and I'm getting so anxious.

I can't afford a private Colonoscopy at £3K so I'm hoping a detailed Abdominal MRI scan will be better than nothing at all.

Can't comment on CT or the list of the issues, but for bowel cancer you can have FIT test, which is a stool sample test. It detects blood in your stool (even if it's not obviously visible) I had that done on NHS, results were pretty quick. Perhaps worth exploring as well as easier and cheaper

Also to add to this, im in my 30s so it wasn't a part of screening after certain age. I had bad gastrointestinal symptoms but not blood and I was given that test as a part of the range of various blood test as well as ultrasound (internal and external)

Okay so this helps a lot.

I am in a similar position. I have had an abdominal pelvic CT which showed nothing of note, but they can’t really see the bowel, especially unprepared (starved with shit loads of laxatives).

have you had a calprotectin faecal test, and a fit test? You can have both of these done privately through Selph, for less than £100. I have also done both of these tests which are negative which is why I’m unsure about whether to progress with the colonoscopy.

Are they following the NICE clinical guidelines for your symptoms?

Can you ask for another GP opinion?

Make a complaint?

Do you have any family history- they should take that into account.

Any other risk factors?

RockingLock

Sorry to hear your going through similar, I've also had a FIT test and Calrotectin stool test both of which came back negative.
We both sound like we are at the same point of tests and symptoms.

I just struggle with the 'it's likely IBS' comment as surely IBS is a diagnosis of elimination how can they possibly know it's that and hot if sinister without a colonoscopy?!

They won't give me a Colonoscopy with my symptoms which are Loose stools, and pain.

Negative FIT test is reassuring but the health anxiety in me worries about it not picking up anything sinister.

Such a rollercoaster isn't it.

My symptoms are loose stools, and abdominal pain on the left side.

I've had calprotectin stool test and fit test both negative.

Referral to gastro came back with no indication for a Colonoscopy so I just feel stuck in limbo.

I had a small bowel MRI a couple of years ago to check for IBD as my calprotectin was high, that's the only MRI they do on the digestive system, otherwise it's cameras up and down and ultrasound and possibly CT if anything is found on ultrasound.
I think you'd be better off with a private abdo ultrasound, which is what I did when my symptoms got the better of me anxiety wise (I'd alredy had a colonoscopy at this point but my symptoms weren't all in my large bowel).

It’s a PET scan that’s used to check for cancer as you need contrast as far as I’m aware.

Kindly OP- if you have health anxiety, this will only help briefly, and then you'll be worried about the next thing or convince yourself it might have missed something. Please get help for your anxiety. I had it and citalopram has changed my life

Most of the cancers you're concerned about start in the organ linings and are unlikely to be picked up on MRI (endoscopy would be the gold standard).

Please think carefully before you undergo a full body MRI. You will very likely have some anomalies show up - we all would - that are probably meaningless but will trigger your health anxiety. What will you do with this information? Pay for more testing? Start worrying that you have liver/lung/pancreatic cancer?

I'm afraid this is likely to exacerbate your anxiety rather than provide any peace of mind.

This

The health anxiety is out of control if you’re considering this.

Kindly OP, health anxiety is not a good reason to make this choice.

I'm also getting nowhere with my own GP unfortunately hence the private GP appointment to request a private CT scan. I can't afford a colonoscopy either but I'd prefer the CT scan anyway as I need three separate things checked and CT should see them all.

Surely the first course of action would be to see a private consultant rather than start planning unnecessary scans with no clinical indications?

Ct scans are our default to find cancers. If you have a significantly sized mass then it would be visible on mri but it most certainly isn't the default/best mode of imaging

Mri is mainly for spinal cord/brain/joint problems

Xx

Destiny123

Thank you very much for your informative reply, It's very helpful in helping me decide moving forward xx

No clinical indications?
Ongoing left sided abdominal pain for months, loose stools.... 🤷🏻‍♀️

This would not indicate a need for a whole body MRI. Or any MRI. See a consultant. Listen to what they say

NoGodsNoMasters

What 3 parts are you hoping to have scanned? Xx