A former reality show contestant’s brain tumor discovery during a preventive scan is drawing new attention to full-body MRI screenings and reigniting debate over their value for people without symptoms.

Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton and Josh Seiter have publicly shared their experiences with preventive body scans, fueling consumer interest despite ongoing disputes among physicians about their usefulness.

These scans can employ magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography or positron emission tomography to look for early signs of cancer, heart disease and other issues, according to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Dr. Daniel Durand, chief medical officer at Prenuvo, described the scan as a “virtual physical” that allows radiologists to see inside the body in ways traditional exams cannot.

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Prenuvo uses MRI technology to gather what Durand called a “vast amount of health data,” which is then analyzed by two licensed providers who explain its relevance and suggest next steps.

However, most insurance plans do not cover preventive full-body scans. Dr. Mikhail Varshavski, a New Jersey primary care physician known as “Dr. Mike,” said coverage “varies widely” and that screening scans are “usually not covered” due to limited proof of benefit.

Durand expressed hope that insurance companies will eventually expand reimbursement as more data accumulates from ongoing research.

At present, scans can cost up to $2,500, with Prenuvo and Ezra being two of the leading U.S. providers.

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Florida neurologist Dr. Brett Osborn called full-body MRIs a major diagnostic advance, noting that MRI allows a noninvasive view of cancers, infections and vascular issues without radiation exposure.

Durand added that MRI changes often appear before symptoms develop, enabling early detection and potentially earlier treatment.

Still, some doctors are urging caution. Dr. Mike said many celebrities receive free scans through promotional deals, which can blur marketing lines and confuse consumers about the technology’s proven benefits.

He said he favors targeted testing led by physicians who understand what they are seeking, saying that “with the current level of technology,” full-body scans can produce unnecessary follow-ups and anxiety.

Fox News medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel also advised against these scans, arguing they are oversensitive, expensive and can divert patients from more appropriate diagnostics based on symptoms or genetics.

Siegel emphasized that personalized, AI-supported healthcare may soon allow more focused investigations—instead of broad, bodywide imaging.

Among the risks outlined by Dr. Mike are false positives, overdiagnosis and overtreatment. He also cited possible mental strain, including claustrophobia during the scan and stress from incidental findings.

Even a clear scan may provide only fleeting relief, he said, since results often reveal abnormalities that require further study. Research published in 2020 indicated that 95 percent of scanned individuals had at least one imaging abnormality.

During a podcast interview, Prenuvo CEO Andrew Lacy acknowledged that long-term outcome data on these screenings are still lacking. Without that information, Varshavski said, he cannot recommend the scans for healthy patients.

Durand pointed to an internal study of more than 1,000 Prenuvo patients showing a 2.2 percent cancer detection rate after one year, with most cancers found at early stages.

Yet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration remains unconvinced, stating that it has no scientific proof that whole-body scans help symptom-free individuals more than they harm them.

The agency also warned of radiation exposure from CT-based scans, though it clarified that such risks are outweighed in diagnostic situations. For preventive screening, officials said, the benefits remain “questionable.”

The American Academy of Family Physicians also advises against full-body scans for detecting tumors in people without symptoms.

As medical debate continues, experts agree that patients considering these high-cost scans should carefully discuss potential risks and benefits with their doctors before making a decision.