Brain tumor found during preventive scan puts full-body MRIs back in the spotlight - Fox News

What the report says

Fox News reported that public attention has returned to preventive full-body MRI screenings after former “Bachelor” contestant Josh Seiter said a routine scan detected a brain tumor before he had symptoms. The report said celebrity endorsements and personal stories, including from Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton, have helped drive consumer interest in scans marketed as a way to find disease early.

According to the article, full-body scans may use MRI, CT or PET technology and are promoted as tools to identify signs of cancer, heart disease, aneurysms and other abnormalities. Dr. Daniel Durand, chief medical officer at Prenuvo, told Fox News Digital that the company’s MRI-based scan gathers extensive internal health information that is reviewed by licensed providers, who then discuss findings and next steps with patients. Fox reported that insurance usually does not cover whole-body scans for general screening, though coverage may be possible for some high-risk patients, and that costs can reach about $2,500 depending on the provider.

The story also emphasized medical caution. Dr. Mikhail Varshavski, known as “Dr. Mike,” said he does not advise routine MRI screening for low-risk, asymptomatic patients because of cost and unclear evidence of benefit. Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel also warned that broad scans can lead patients to chase findings that may not be clinically important and could distract from more targeted, guideline-supported testing.

The issue matters because preventive scans appeal to people seeking early detection, but doctors remain divided over whether the benefits outweigh risks such as false positives, overdiagnosis, unnecessary treatment and anxiety from incidental findings.