Doctors Name Treatments That Bring Little Or No Benefit

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37732497

The first one is that women don't need a blood test, to see if they have started the menopause. My three brothers attest that a blood test is entirely unneeded, as there is a wealth of other, more reliable indicators !

[Tilly2]

I received my bowel screening kit today. That's obviously one test that is thought to be worthwhile.

[Sqad]

;-0.....^^^

[mikey4444]

Tilly....do remind me ! If they an annual event for a 63 years old, my 2016 one is due any day !

Not the most fun I have ever had in bathroom, I can tell you !

Sqad....I have an annual PSA test...should I carry on with these ? My Doctor isn't overly concerned after he does his Marigold Gloves bit.

[Sqad]

mikey

\\\\\Sqad....I have an annual PSA test...should I carry on with these ? \\\

If you recognise the limitations of this test, then yes, i would. This is not a very scientific answer, I know, but if the test was normal, it would reassure me, but if it was raised, depending upon the degree, then i would seek Urological help. There is a little more to the management of patients than just consultation, examination and questionable tests.

[Mamyalynne]

Bowel Screening every two years Mikey.

[mikey4444]

Thanks Sqad....there is a bit of a history of prostate cancer in my family, and I keep coming across men, mostly old than myself, that have have problems.

Thanks Mamy....that put my mind at rest for another year !

[Peter Pedant]

I was surprised about the PSA test
altho the bulletin said - it didnt have an effect on overall survival
rather than - do you feel happier if you have one....

and slaney - is she still there ?
I wondered what she thought about the chemotherapy recommendations

also the article seems to have asked - "what do you think is a waste of time" rathegr than "has it been shown to be a waste of time ?"

sqad might say: anything from the neck down
and slaney: I think blood tests are very good but surgery I think is a waste of time on the whole - and neurosurgery is a complete waste of time and money ( you do better on steroids)
and I might say: paeds of central importance - but close the geriatric wards I mean they're all gonna die anyway arent they ? what's wrong with dying on the street ......

none of it seems to be evidence based

[Mamyalynne]

Surely also a lot of this is based on looking back and saying, 'Well that was a waste of time' - but you didn't know it at the start did you?


I have personal experience of that one.

It's a difficult area to quantify and nail down really.

[Bathsheba]

Peter.....geriatric wards? Is there such places?

Baths
x x

[jno]

pieces of cardboard, Tilly, I can remember when the little sticks were made of sterling silver

[Mamyalynne]

More commonly 'Elderly Medicine' these days Baths , well at our main Hospital it is.

Same thing different word.

[woofgang]

well that didn’t last long, both the weblinks in that article have vanished

[Bathsheba]

Best answer to belladonner at 14.16.
Mamya, yes, I think you're right.
There's a dept at The Christie that always gives me the shivers when I read the sign "Nuclear Medicine" :)

Baths
x x