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Several weeks back, I received an invitation to undergo a comprehensive body screening in London's east end. The health screening facility uses ECG tests, blood work, and a talking skin-scanner to examine patients. The facility asserts it can detect multiple potential circulatory and energy conversion issues, determine your probability of contracting pre-diabetes and detect questionable moles.

When viewed from outside, the clinic resembles a vast crystal mausoleum. Internally, it's akin to a curve-walled wellness center with pleasant changing areas, personal examination rooms and pot plants. Unfortunately, there's no pool facility. The whole process takes less than an one hour period, and features multiple elements a predominantly bare scan, multiple blood draws, a test for grasping power and, at the end, through rapid data analysis, a physician review. Typical visitors depart with a generally good health report but awareness of potential concerns. Throughout the opening period of business, the organization says that one percent of its clients were given potentially critical intel, which is significant. The concept is that this information can then be provided to healthcare providers, point people towards required care and, ultimately, prolong lifespan.

The Screening Process

My experience was quite enjoyable. The procedure is painless. I enjoyed moving through their light-hued areas wearing their soft slippers. Additionally, I appreciated the unhurried experience, though this is probably more of a demonstration on the condition of national health services after years of financial neglect. Overall, perfect score for the experience.

Value Assessment

The real question is whether the value justifies the cost, which is harder to parse. In part due to there is no benchmark, and because a glowing review from me would rely on whether it identified problems – at which point I'd possibly become less interested in giving it five stars. Additionally, it's important to note that it doesn't perform X-rays, MRIs or body imaging, so can only detect blood irregularities and dermal malignancies. Members in my genetic line have been affected by tumors, and while I was reassured that my skin marks look untoward, all I can do now is live my life waiting for an problematic development.

Healthcare System Implications

The trouble with a two-tier system that begins with a paid assessment is that the burden then lies with you, and the public healthcare system, which is likely left to do the complex process of treatment. Healthcare professionals have noted that these scans are higher-tech, and incorporate additional testing, in contrast to conventional assessments which screen people ranging from 40 and 74.

Proactive aesthetics is stemming from the pervasive anxiety that eventually we will appear our age as we actually are.

Nevertheless, professionals have commented that "addressing the rapid developments in commercial health screenings will be difficult for national systems and it is vital that these screenings contribute positively to individual wellness and avoid generating additional work – or patient stress – without obvious improvements". Though I suspect some of the clinic's customers will have additional paid health plans available through their resources.

Broader Context

Early diagnosis is vital to treat serious diseases such as cancer, so the attraction of testing is clear. But such examinations tap into something more profound, an version of something you see with specific demographics, that vainglorious cohort who truly feel they can live for ever.

The organization did not initiate our obsession about extended lifespan, just as it's not news that wealthy individuals live longer. Various people even look younger, too. Cosmetics companies had been fighting the natural progression for hundreds of years before contemporary solutions. Early intervention is just a new way of expressing it, and commercial early detection services is a logical progression of youth-preserving treatments.

In addition to aesthetic jargon such as "gradual aging" and "preventive aesthetics", the goal of prevention is not stopping or turning back aging, concepts with which compliance agencies have taken issue. It's about slowing it down. It's indicative of the lengths we'll go to meet unattainable ideals – an additional burden that women used to criticize ourselves about, as if the blame is ours. The industry of preventive beauty appears as almost questioning of anti-ageing – particularly surgical procedures and minor adjustments, which seem undignified compared with a night cream. Yet both are based in the constant fear that someday we will show our years as we really are.

Personal Reflections

I've experimented with many topical treatments. I appreciate the process. And I dare say various items improve my appearance. But they aren't better than a proper rest, favorable genetics or adopting a relaxed approach. Nonetheless, these constitute solutions to something outside your influence. Regardless of how strongly you accept the interpretation that ageing is "a perceptual issue rather than of 'real life'", the world – and aesthetic businesses – will still have you believe that you are elderly as soon as you are past your prime.

Theoretically, such screenings and their like are not concerned with avoiding mortality – that would represent absurd. Furthermore, the advantages of prompt action on your wellbeing is evidently a distinct consideration than early intervention on your facial lines. But ultimately – scans, products, regardless – it is fundamentally a conflict with the natural order, just approached through distinct approaches. Having explored and utilized every inch of our earth, we are now seeking to colonise ourselves, to overcome mortality. {