Myth: whole-body screening is an effective way to detect hidden cancers.

Whole-body screening is promoted as a one-stop shop for painlessly detecting hidden cancer and preventing cancer-related deaths. It is big business in the United States.i In Canada, private clinics have begun offering full-body diagnostic procedures for a fee.ii-iii The tests and procedures are often marketed to healthy people as a way to scan for hidden abnormalities or cancers, affording people the peace of mind that they are in good health.ii-iii When used in this manner, the evidence shows that whole-body cancer screening offers no proven health benefits and that it, in fact, exposes people to a number of unnecessary health risks.