#1

This sounds great, though the issue of false positives (and all the cost that goes along with checking on them) still remains:

Early detection of cancer significantly improves the survival rate (80%), streamlines treatment options, and ultimately reduces the cost of care. However, most early detection efforts are centered around patients who are already presenting with probable cancer symptoms. Ezra offers full-body MRI scans that are powered by AI to reduce the amount of time required to complete a scan, offering a true early-detection option for cancer and 500+ other diseases. The company’s FDA-approved AI technology in scans can be found at leading imaging centers at one of 18 locations in major cities across the US with plans to operate 50 locations in 20 cities by year’s end. While there are other providers that offer full body scans, the costs are typically prohibitive for most with pricing starting at $5000+ per scan. For individuals, Ezra offers three different scan types ranging from $1350 to $2500 with plans to offer a $500 scan in the future; family and multiyear plans are also available. The company founded in 2018 is one of the rare startups that is actually changing the world with its mission to make early cancer detection for all.

AlleyWatch caught up with Ezra Founder and CEO Emi Gal to learn more about the business, the company’s strategic plans, latest round of funding, and much, much more


What’s your business model?
We offer multiple types of scans – our 30-minute Full Body Flash full body cancer screening scan ($1,350), our 60-minute Full Body ($1,950) that includes spine and hips analysis, and our Full Body Plus ($2,500) that includes a low-dose chest CT for lung cancer screening and coronary calcium scoring (for heart health analysis).
The Ezra business model is direct-to-consumer, cash-pay. We accept HSA/FSA dollars and have monthly installment plans available (via Affirm)

Company Website:

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Strategies to avoid the grim reaper of Cancer - Part I: Colon Cancer
#2

Related (a story about a person’s Prenuvo scan):

He also says it’s rare to discover an aggressive or harmful finding during a full-body MRI when no symptoms are present. A 2019 analysis of 12 studies spanning over 5,000 asymptotic people, published in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, found that incidental and indeterminate findings were common for asymptomatic people undergoing full-body MRIs. The analysis of six studies found a 16% prevalence of false positive findings.

“There’s a much smaller proportion of aggressive diseases, which are the ones we’re trying to find, but we’re lost in the haystack of all the other stuff,” Davenport says. “It’s common for the aggressive ones to grow quickly, so we’d have to catch the screenable interval exactly right.”

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#3

The CSO of Ezra has a good answer to the false positive issue, and it’s to get more full-body MRIs:

“If you see something and it’s largely unchanged from a prior scan, you can effectively rule it out as an item of concern,” he said. “We don’t want to scan more because we’re afraid of false positives—but, actually, scanning more is the best way to deal with false positives!”

https://archive.ph/zv3C0#selection-1943.1003-1943.1279

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#4

It’s true. Cancer grows rapidly. You can see the difference as a malignant tumor can easily double in size in a couple of months. I’ve seen it with my in-laws metastatic cancers.

Honestly a PET scan is pretty accurate as tumors light up on these scans as they consume far more energy than other cells. However, you don’t want to be doing a lot of PET scans due to radiation risks.

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#5

sr_br

https://x.com/bryan_johnson/status/1848781126309187876#m

https://ezra.com/blueprint

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#6

Unfortunately their prices have increased since February 2024 (now costs several hundred dollars more for most options)

#7

Not that it helps that much, but:

Use Bryan’s code for $300 off Ezra Blueprint and $200 off Ezra Flash and Ezra Full Body.

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#8

When he says, this, what the hell does he mean?

Context:
My brain was silently dying and I wouldn’t have known had it not been for a routine MRI.

You can’t just say that and leave it at that
 what was going on, what did he do differently, and how has it changed?

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#9

He’s talking about this
.

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#10

Does anyone know what strength of magnet Ezra’s MRI machines have? I don’t see if on their website. Prenuvo uses a T1.5

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#11

AI-generated answer.
Please verify critical facts."

Prenuvo’s MRI System Specifications

Based on the provided information, Prenuvo uses a 1.5 Tesla (T1.5) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine for their Whole-Body MRI screening. This is in contrast to 3T MRI machines, which are often touted for better image quality. However, Prenuvo’s 1.5T MRI is preferred for whole-body imaging due to several reasons:

1. Comfort: 3T MRI machines heat up the body 4 times more than 1.5T machines, making them less comfortable for patients.

2. Scan duration: 3T MRI machines have a lower signal-to-noise ratio, which limits the number of images they can obtain in a reasonable time frame. Prenuvo’s 1.5T MRI allows for more efficient scanning.

3. Whole-body imaging: Prenuvo specializes in comprehensive whole-body imaging, and their 1.5T MRI equipment enables them to acquire diagnostic-level images more quickly and efficiently.

In summary, Prenuvo’s choice of 1.5T MRI technology is optimized for whole-body screening, prioritizing patient comfort and scan efficiency over image resolution.

AI-generated answer.
Please verify critical facts.

$2,700 plus for a scan is not what most people have as " disposable" income.

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#12

The cost difference


Refurbished or budget-conscious 3T MRI scanners: $500,000 - $900,000

Newer 3T MRI scanners (manufactured after 2008): $390,000 - $500,000 (e.g., Philips Ingenia, Siemens Prisma, Siemens Verio)

High-end 3T MRI scanners with advanced features and customization: $900,000 - $2,000,000 or more

New T1.5 MRI Machine Cost: The cost of a new T1.5 MRI machine can range from $225,000 to $300,000 for entry-level models, with more advanced features and configurations increasing the price. For example, a GE LX, Excite II, or Excite HD model can cost around $250,000 to $280,000.

Refurbished T1.5 MRI Machine Cost: Refurbished T1.5 MRI machines can be purchased for significantly lower prices, typically ranging from $150,000 to $250,000. However, this cost may not include additional expenses such as upgrades, delivery, installation, and first-year service.

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#13

Per email from the company’s rep, Ezra uses 3T magnets in most of their locations (with exception of Texas has 1.5).

I’m planning to schedule one next month as long as I can get over the anxiety of what they might find :grimacing:

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#14

Matt’s experience with an Ezra whole body MRI:

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#15

Matt dismisses lower salt or sodium intake, which was the primary advice because he said he didn’t have HBP.

However he does have degenerative disks and bone marrow edema. Might salt be linked, albeit with a low probability? High salt consumption increases the risk of developing HBP.

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#16

I wish he had have looked at Simon One - he’d have to go to another state as they don’t have any in WA, but they give great followup post scan and deliver.

Excessive sodium chloride intake is well-documented to increase blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, the impact of high sodium intake on mortality and morbidity in non-hypertensive individuals is less clear.

Research indicates that even in individuals without hypertension, high sodium intake can lead to adverse health outcomes. A study highlighted that reducing dietary sodium can decrease blood pressure and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, even in normotensive individuals (2). This suggests that excessive sodium intake may still pose health risks, potentially increasing morbidity and mortality through mechanisms other than hypertension, such as endothelial dysfunction and increased systemic peripheral resistance (2).

Furthermore, salt sensitivity, a condition where individuals experience significant blood pressure changes in response to sodium intake, can occur in non-hypertensive individuals. This condition is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death, affecting a significant portion of the population (1). Therefore, even in the absence of hypertension, individuals with salt sensitivity may experience increased morbidity and mortality due to high sodium intake.

In summary, while the direct impact of excess sodium chloride on mortality and morbidity in non-hypertensive individuals is not as pronounced as in those with hypertension, there is evidence suggesting potential health risks. These risks are mediated through mechanisms like salt sensitivity and vascular changes, which can contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Reducing sodium intake is generally recommended to mitigate these risks, even in individuals without hypertension.

References

  1. Salt Sensitivity: Causes, Consequences, and Recent Advances
    HYPERTENSION. Bailey et al. 7 citations, 2023
    This narrative review considers the foundational concepts of salt sensitivity and the underlying effector systems that cause salt sensitivity, and considers recent updates in preclinical and clinical research that are revealing new modifying factors that determine the blood pressure response to high salt intake.

  2. Sodium Intake and Hypertension, Nutrients, Grillo et al., 306 citations, 2019
    The effects of sodium intake on vascular hemodynamics and their implication in the pathogenesis of hypertension are focused on and include changes in the structure and function of large elastic arteries, modification in sympathetic activity, and in the autonomic neuronal modulation of the cardiovascular system.

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#17

He did mention that he wished he had done Prenuvo instead because they’re considered the “gold standard” (no idea how they compare to Simon One), but they didn’t have Prenuvo available in the Seattle area at the time he did the scan (but they do now).

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#18

Prenuvo is $2499, Simon One is $1250 for body and head/neck.
I cannot find the details for sure on their website, but I believe the Prenuvo is a MRI of the Head/Neck, whereas Simon One is also doing MRA.
So on a cost basis 50% of the cost. Also I have a number of my patients doing CTCA with Cleerly Analysis with them, I believe $1100 self pay.

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