Khaberni - The University of Sydney is waging a new awareness campaign to warn against what it has described as the "intimidation of consumers" phenomenon, practiced by influencers on social media to promote unnecessary medical examinations.
Although these tests are marketed as a tool to "empower" individuals to take control of their health, experts confirm that they can lead to overdiagnosis, psychological stress, and physical harm to healthy individuals.
According to a report published by "The Guardian", the initiative particularly focuses on three controversial tests: full-body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), testosterone level tests, and Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) tests, known as the "egg timer" or "ovulation calculator".
Dr. Brooke Nickel, from the Health Culture Lab in Sydney, notes that these tests are presented as proactive measures, but they lack evidence proving improved health outcomes for symptom-free individuals.
Some of the main risks identified by experts are:
Full-body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Promoted by celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton, however, medical authorities warn against it; as it often reveals "incidental findings" (minor disorders that will never cause health problems). This leads to unnecessary anxiety, biopsies, and surgeries.
The "egg timer" test (AMH)
Marketed as a crucial measure of a woman’s fertility, yet experts warn that it cannot predict the chances of natural conception. Misleading results may lead women towards costly egg freezing procedures or artificial insemination without a genuine medical need.
Testosterone tests
Heavily promoted among men to encourage them to take supplements. Experts confirm that unnecessary use of testosterone can lead to blood clots, heart problems, and reduced fertility.
"Wellness" clinics and companies that sell tests directly to consumers allow bypassing traditional medical consultation.
In conclusion, experts emphasize that real disease prevention depends on lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep, and exercise, not on scientifically unproven tests.
