Think Twice: 7 Tests Doctors Recommend That You Might Not Need

Unnecessary screenings may lead to unwarranted stress, false positives, and harmful exposureโ€”here’s why you might want to reconsider them.

Are routine medical screenings always beneficial? Each year, millions of Americans willingly participate in these tests with the intent of safeguarding their health. Yet, emerging evidence indicates that certain screenings may be unnecessary and potentially jeopardize one’s well-being.

The High Price of Excessive Medical Screening

The United States spends twice as much on health care per person compared to other industrialized nations, yet the returns in terms of life expectancy are dishearteningly meager. Despite the high expenditures, the United States lags behind twelve high-income countries in numerous health indicators.

While America tops the charts in screening rates for breast and colorectal cancer, second only to Sweden and the Netherlands respectively, the efficacy of such frequent screenings is debatable.

“Over-testing is at the root of many of our problems,” report Dr. Jerome Greenberg and Dr. Jonas B. Green in an American Journal of Medicine commentary. They highlight that when tests are unnecessary, “time can be more appropriately spent counseling patients, listening to them, and redoubling efforts to follow well-supported preventive guidelines.”

A recent JAMA review reveals that up to $935 billion in annual health care spending is wasted, a substantial portion resulting from unnecessary tests or procedures. Drs. Greenberg and Green highlight that over-testing often stems from the โ€œbelief that ordering many tests will help detect subclinical disease, defensive medicine, lack of knowledge, patient expectations, and profitโ€ motives.

Over-screening carries a significant economic burden, but its human cost is even more profound. Unwarranted tests can result in anxiety, false alarms, and harmful exposures. Drs. Greenberg and Green emphasize that the drawbacksโ€”low diagnostic yield, high costs, and the emotional strain of false positivesโ€”are often overlooked when prescribing screenings for asymptomatic individuals.

7 Tests You May Not Need, and That May Even Cause Harm

  1. Cardiac Stress Test
  2. Coronary Calcium Scan
  3. CT Scanย or MRI
  4. Bone Density Scans
  5. Colonoscopies
  6. Prostate Screening Test (PSA)
  7. Pap Smears

Byย Sheramy Tsai

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting โ€“ period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

โ€˜This One Time, at Groomer Campโ€™

All Camp Brave Trails programs focus on helping LGBTQ+ youth find what they need most to thrive: their people, their place, and their passion.

News

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to US to Face Criminal Charges

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, is on his way back to the US, where he will face criminal charges for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGEโ€™s Future Amid Muskโ€“Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGEโ€™s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmartโ€™s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.

Tax Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing

Itโ€™s not always beneficial to itemize. With IRSโ€™s current standard deduction for 2025 most Americans who canโ€™t itemize go with standard deduction.

US Economy Adds 139,000 New Jobs in May, Topping Market Forecasts

U.S. economy added 139,000 new jobs last month, surpassing economistsโ€™ expectations and indicating U.S. labor market remains in a robust position.
spot_img

Related Articles