Measure Health

08/06/2026

Whole Body MRI Scans

I have been carrying out private health screening for several years now and Whole Body MRI scanning (WB MRI) is one aspect to the health screen.

It is important to know that WB MRIs often picks up incidental findings which are unexpected abnormalities that are usually harmless but can sometimes lead to anxiety and unnecessary follow-up tests if they’re not interpreted correctly.

That’s why the quality of the scanner used and, even more importantly, the expertise of the reporting radiologist really matter..

Leading centres such as the Paul Strickland Scanner Centre (where I refer my patients to) is World leading in its technology as well as in the Consultant Radiologists that report the scan.

They use a structured system called ONCO-RADS to help grade findings according to their clinical significance. The aim isn’t simply to find more things—it’s to identify what genuinely needs further investigation and what doesn’t.

When it comes to whole-body MRI, it is important to ensure both the quality of the scanner as well as radiologists who are experts in the interpretation of WB MRI scans.

13/05/2026

25/02/2026

I recently reviewed a case of a 45-year-old, non smoker, who had presented to the GP with pain across her chest which had been ongoing for a couple of weeks. It was initially thought to be muscular.

She re-presented 4 weeks later as the symptoms had not improved. She was now also experiencing breathlessness at night. A chest X-ray was arranged which showed some unusual changes and this was followed by a CT scan of her chest. She was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer globally

Symptoms/signs to look out for:

•Persistent or Recurrent Chest Infections: Chest infections that do not go away.

•Cough: New or changed cough lasting >3 weeks.

•Physical Signs: Change in the shape of your finger nails (finger clubbing), swelling in the neck/face, or new lymph nodes in the neck.

•Pain/Breathlessness: Chest/shoulder pain, or unexpected shortness of breath.

•Systemic Symptoms: Unexplained fatigue, weight loss, or loss of appetite.

awareness

04/02/2026

MEASURING BMI VS WAIST TO HEIGHT RATIO

When I was at medical school, we were taught that BMI was the tool to use when deciding whether a patient needed to make changes to their weight.

But the problem with this is that the BMI doesn’t tell us where fat is stored.

Two people can have the same BMI and very different health risks

BMI only looks at weight and height. It:

•Doesn’t distinguish fat from muscle
•Ignores fat distribution
•Misses people with “normal weight” but high abdominal fat


Carrying fat about the tummy area is strongly linked to:

•Heart disease
•Type 2 diabetes
•High blood pressure
•Stroke

Why waist-to-height ratio is better

•Measuring your weight:height ratio focuses on central obesity, which is a key driver of cardiovascular risk.


The rule is simple:

•Your waist should be less than half your height

•This predicts cardiovascular risk better than BMI

BMI can be a starting point — but it should never be the only metric.

Measure your waist. Know your risk. Protect your heart.







Kind regards

Dr Shonella Singh MBBS (Dist.) BSc (Hons) MRCP MRCGP
GP Clinical Lead for Measure Health

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www.measurehealth.co.uk

19/01/2026

***Food as medicine – spotlight on Fibre***

What is fibre?

Dietary fibre is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot fully digest. Instead of being broken down and absorbed, fibre passes through the digestive system, where it performs important functions.

What are the good sources of fibre?

Fibre is found naturally in plant foods. Sources include:

🌾Whole grains (oats, brown rice, wholemeal bread, barley)
🫐 Fruits (apples, pears, berries, oranges)
🌽 Vegetables (broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, peas)
🫘Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans)
🥜Nuts and seeds (chia seeds, flaxseeds, almonds)


What are the benefits of fibre in the diet?

High-fibre diet offers several health benefits, including:

•Improved digestion and gut health, reducing constipation and supporting healthy gut bacteria

•Better blood sugar control, especially helpful for people with insulin resistance or diabetes

•Helps lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia

•Weight management, as fibre helps you feel fuller for longer

•Reduced risk of bowel disorders, including diverticular disease and colorectal cancer

How much fibre should I have in a day?

30g

14/01/2026

***Why health screening matters***

The top three causes of death worldwide are cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia.
Interestingly, there are common lifestyle factors that increase the risk of all three:

Physical inactivity
Unhealthy diets with ultra-processed foods
Smoking/vaping
Excess alcohol consumption
Overweight
Poor sleep
Chronic stress

Lifestyle choices we make today will determine what our life will look life in 10-15 years time.

Health screening allows us to pick up and address lifestyle factors early, reversing the potential for future problems. Shouldn’t we all do this? What is more important than optimising our health?

Follow me for tips on longevity and health screening
www.measurehealth.co.uk