Dwyane Wade discovered he had kidney cancer after getting a full-body scan - and it might have saved his life. This fancy scan is the latest health trend among celebrities. But is it something regular people should consider?
The former NBA star said he had surgery in December 2023 to remove a tumor from his right kidney. The mass was found after Wade experienced urinary issues and decided to get checked out. What really caught the cancer? A full-body scan. That scan revealed a three-centimeter tumor that doctors later confirmed was cancerous.
Celebrities Are All In On Full-Body Scans
Wade is not the only celebrity who’s sung praises for this high-tech scan. Maria Menounos caught pancreatic cancer early thanks to one. Rick Springfield discovered an old brain injury. Even Kim Kardashian posted about it, saying the scan saved her friends' lives. But just because it is celebrity-approved doesn’t mean it is the right move for everyone.
Ezra / The scan Wade got is a whole-body MRI or CT scan. It takes detailed pictures of your entire body, sometimes in just minutes.
The idea sounds great: spot problems early and stay ahead of serious diseases like cancer. The keyword here is "early detection." That is what makes these scans so tempting. Who wouldn’t want to catch something before it becomes deadly?
They are Pricey and Not Always Helpful
But here is the thing: full-body scans are not cheap. They usually cost between $1,000 and $3,000 and are not covered by most insurance plans. You are paying out of pocket, often just for peace of mind. And while that may sound worth it, doctors say it is not always helpful.
Dr. Patrick Kenney, a urologic oncologist at Yale Cancer Center, says these scans can do more harm than good for the average person. They might spot things that look suspicious but are totally harmless. That can lead to stress, more tests, and even unnecessary surgeries. Imagine going under the knife for something that was not going to hurt you in the first place.
Small Kidney Masses Often Don’t Need Surgery
Kenney also pointed out that many small kidney masses don’t need treatment at all. If a mass is under four centimeters, most doctors recommend “active surveillance.” That means checking in with scans every few months, not jumping to surgery. In Wade’s case, his tumor was right at that border - three centimeters. His doctors chose to operate, removing 40% of his right kidney.
Wade / IG / That surgery might have saved Wade’s life, and for him, the scan was clearly worth it. But that doesn’t mean it is a must-do for everyone.
Just because a celebrity caught something early doesn’t make it the right move for your health. What works for one person, especially someone with access to elite care, might not be helpful - or safe - for someone else.
Scans Can Create More Anxiety Than Answers
Full-body scans are also known to stir up anxiety. You go in thinking you are being proactive, and then you leave with a long list of “maybes.” Maybe it is cancer. Maybe it is not. Maybe you need a biopsy. Maybe you don’t. That uncertainty can eat at you, especially when the findings turn out to be nothing at all.
Plus, there is the problem of overtreatment. Doctors might feel pressure to do something - anything - about the scan results, even if doing nothing is the safer call. More surgeries mean more risks, longer recoveries, and higher bills. All for something that may never have caused trouble in the first place.
