Full-Body Health MOTs Boom at £299, Stirring Debate Over 1.2% Life-Threatening Finds
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 8
Full-Body Health MOTs Boom at £299, Stirring Debate Over 1.2% Life-Threatening Finds
1 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 8
Summary
Neko Health says 100,000 people are on its waiting list as demand surges for private preventive scans that screen for skin cancer, diabetes, heart issues and other conditions.
At £299, the scan reflects a wider boom in health MOTs, with companies such as Neko, Prenuvo and Ezra drawing customers who want disease detected before symptoms appear.
Neko says 1.2% of 4,362 Stockholm scans last year found life-threatening conditions, while another 4% identified significant issues needing treatment and 1.2% flagged reversible problems such as pre-diabetes.
Patient outcomes varied sharply: one woman said four cancerous skin lesions were missed by the AI scan, while another said an unexpected diabetes diagnosis led to urgent treatment and "saved my life."
NHS England and GP leaders warn broad private screening can cause over-diagnosis, unnecessary follow-up tests and anxiety, even as supporters argue prevention-focused scans could shape future primary care.