This jot down of test has recently gained a ton of popularity.

I didnt think nothing of it.

Wades healthcare provider ordered a full-body MRI scan, which detected something on my kidneys, he said.

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radiologist and medical director of breast imaging at MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center

I didnt go in for my kidneys.

I went in to check what was going on my stomach and my prostate, he added.

A second follow-up MRI showed a suspicious mass on his kidney.

close up of person drinking a green smoothie that may cause their poop to be green

Once the mass was analyzed, he was diagnosed with stage 1 cancer.

Since the surgery, Wade is now cancer-free.

“Thank God that we caught it early,” he said.

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“This wasnt something that was able to grow.

It was about 3 centimeters on my kidney.”

But should we all be getting full-body MRI scans?

cup of matcha green tea sitting on a wooden ledge

radiologist and medical director of breast imaging at MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center

Heres what our experts want you to know.

Do you actually need a full-body MRI scan?

As a result, this isnt something thats accessible or affordable for the average person.

LOS ANGELES - FEB 10: Patrick Schwarzenegger at the White Lotus Season 3 Premiere at Paramount Studios on February 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA

However, he stresses its not usually the best option.

However, there are some downsides to consider.

The biggest harm is that people having the test think theyre OK if the test is negative.

Woman drinking a protein meal replacement shake in the kitchen

But the science isnt there to back it up, Dr. Reitherman explains.

That, to me, is the biggest risk, he adds.

There is a risk of going down the rabbit hole of getting poked and prodded, he says.

MRIs are definitely useful, but not for general screening, he says.

Those are still the best and most effective ways of detecting cancer, Dr. Mark says.

Melanoma, for example, is not going to show up on MRI, he says.

If youre symptomatic, there are clear, recommended medical work-ups in place that can help, he says.

They can order the proper diagnostic exams and recommend treatment options, should they be necessary for you.

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