Why Expensive Cancer Screening Tests Might Not Be Worth the Cost—And What Experts Actually Recommend

When celebrity deaths from colorectal cancer made headlines, millions rushed to get screened—but not all cancer screening tests are created equal. While catching cancer early can save lives, experts warn that expensive private screening options like full-body MRI scans and multi-cancer blood tests may expose you to unnecessary risks and costs, without clear evidence they improve outcomes for people without symptoms or family history.

Why Are People Seeking Out Expensive Screening Tests?

The power of celebrity influence on health decisions is real. When Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek died of colorectal cancer at age 48 in February, ZocDoc reported a 140% surge in bookings for colon cancer screenings. This follows a similar spike after Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died of colorectal cancer at age 43, which drove a more than 700% increase in searches for colon cancer screenings.

According to risk assessment expert David Ropeik, author of "Curing Cancerphobia: How Risk, Fear, and Worry Mislead Us," this surge reflects a deeper psychological need. "We believe in screening so deeply because psychologically, we still believe that cancer is automatically a death sentence, that there is nothing we can do and we have no control," Ropeik explains. "The first thing we grasp for is screening". That instinct drives people toward any available option—including expensive, unproven tests marketed by private companies.

Private companies are capitalizing on this anxiety. Grail's Galleri blood test screens for more than 50 different types of cancer from a single blood draw, while full-body MRI scans from celebrity-favored companies like Prenuvo are promoted as an efficient way to detect disease early. But as tempting as it can be to get ahead of cancer, experts warn that more testing isn't always better.

What Does Evidence-Based Cancer Screening Actually Accomplish?

The good news: proven cancer screenings have saved millions of lives. Between 1975 and 2020, an estimated 4.75 million deaths from breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers were averted thanks to prevention and screening interventions. These screenings are generally very safe, though they do carry small potential risks—colonoscopies have a very low risk of infection and rare complications like colon perforation, while mammograms can produce false positives that lead to emotional distress and additional testing.

The key is knowing which screenings have strong evidence behind them. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of medical experts, reviews scientific evidence to weigh the benefits and potential harms of preventive services. They assign letter grades: A and B ratings mean there is strong or moderate evidence of meaningful net benefit and the screening is recommended, while C means the benefit is small so decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Which Cancer Screenings Should You Actually Get?

According to USPSTF guidelines, here are the cancer screenings adults should consider based on age and risk factors:

• Breast Cancer: Women ages 40 to 74 should get a mammogram every two years, though the American Cancer Society recommends women 45 to 54 get annual exams and women 55 and older switch to screenings every other year or continue yearly if preferred.
• Cervical Cancer: Women ages 21 to 29 should get a Pap smear every three years; women ages 30 to 65 should get a Pap test every three years, an HPV test every five years, or a combination of both every five years.
• Colorectal Cancer: Adults ages 45 to 75 should get a colonoscopy typically every 10 years (unless a polyp is found or there's a family history) or a stool-based test every one to three years.
• Lung Cancer: High-risk adults ages 50 to 80 who have smoked the equivalent of a pack a day for 20 years and currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years should get a low-dose CT scan every year.
• Prostate Cancer: Men ages 55 to 69 can get a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test after discussing the pros and cons with their doctor.

It's important to note that these recommendations are based on the general population—not on an individual with their own unique risk factors. The best person to speak to about whether it's a good idea to get certain cancer screenings, and when, is your health care provider.

Why Full-Body Scans and Blood Tests Raise Red Flags

While full-body MRI scans and multi-cancer blood tests sound appealing, experts urge caution. A full-body MRI may catch something that otherwise would have remained unknown—but that's not always beneficial. A tumor in the body may be benign, never grow, or never cause harm, yet a positive result can lead to more testing, procedures, or even invasive surgery that comes with its own set of risks.

Dr. Fola May, a UCLA Health cancer prevention researcher and gastroenterologist, acknowledges that blood tests detecting various cancers are "very promising," but they are still in the data-collection phase. Her biggest concern is what happens next: "What happens if one of these blood tests turns up positive, and when we look more closely at that organ, we don't see a cancer? Are they living in constant fear that they have cancer in their body somewhere? Do we just test them over and over again, which exposes them to increased risk for complications and iatrogenic problems [health issues caused by medical tests or treatments] with their medical care?". She says that the "diagnostic cascade" that can follow these tests hasn't been clearly established for her to recommend them to patients considering seeking them out.

Cost is another major barrier. A full-body MRI from Prenuvo can cost upwards of $4,000, while the Grail blood test costs more than $900—and that doesn't include follow-up exams or other procedures should these screenings flag any issues.

How to Lower Your Cancer Risk Without Expensive Screening

Rather than relying on unproven screening tests, experts recommend focusing on lifestyle factors that actually reduce cancer risk. Dr. May points to several scientifically backed approaches:

• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce your overall cancer risk across multiple cancer types.
• Alcohol Limitation: Limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption significantly lowers your risk of developing several cancers, including colorectal cancer.
• Tobacco Avoidance: Not smoking or using tobacco products is one of the single most important cancer prevention steps you can take.
• Regular Physical Activity: Engaging in regular physical activity helps reduce cancer risk—even a daily 10-minute burst of activity helps, so you don't need to commit to lengthy gym sessions.
• Dietary Changes: Following a Mediterranean diet and eating more fiber can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, while avoiding red and processed meats like deli meat or bacon also helps.

While these healthy habits help lower cancer risk, May emphasizes that they don't eliminate it entirely. Genetics, family history, and environmental exposures—many of which are outside a person's control—also play a role in who develops cancer.

What Should You Do If You're Worried About Cancer?

If you're eager to be proactive about cancer screenings beyond what's recommended by your doctor, the best approach is to have a conversation with your health care provider about your individual risk factors. They can help you understand which evidence-based screenings make sense for you based on your age, family history, and personal health status. Avoid the temptation to pursue expensive, unproven tests in hopes of gaining peace of mind—the risks and costs often outweigh the benefits for people without specific risk factors or symptoms.