Although this book didn't give the total answer, it did tell you what to ask and what to think about. I was surprised by a lot of the statistics in this book, the number of women likely treated for no reason, and the small amount of deaths saved by some tests. Defintely pays to ask questions when Doctors want to send you for a test. The only reason i didn't give this 5 stars, is it would have been helpful to have some statistics in the appendix.
Feb 26, BethK rated it really liked it Shelves: medical , nonfiction. This book gets you to think about the potential harms involved with testing, including overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Certainly, you do not want to be treated for cancer if you do not have cancer.
It also brings up the notion of "pseudodisease" - you have cancer, but it is slow-growing, and will certainly not pose a problem in your lifetime. People with pseudodisease can only be harmed. Tests are not risk-free.
Having tests, tracking them, discussing them takes precious time from each healthcar This book gets you to think about the potential harms involved with testing, including overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Having tests, tracking them, discussing them takes precious time from each healthcare encounter which might be better spent on actual conditions for which the patient is seeking treatment - which is often overlooked, leading to more expensive treatment later.
This book is now 13 years old, but his points have become more convincing, not less. The age of the book is why I only gave it 4-stars. Nov 11, K. Even though this book is several years old, the premise is still relevant. While I believe that medical testing has its place and can play an important role in healthcare, I have long felt that 'routine' health screening tests are also a way for medical offices to generate more business.
When I read this book, I realized that I am not alone in my thinking. Don't be put off by the passages dealing with statistics. The author quickly explains the point he is making by sharing them.
I believe every Even though this book is several years old, the premise is still relevant. I believe everyone should read this book prior to agreeing to routine cancer screenings. Dec 10, Ignatius Brady rated it it was amazing. Required reading for anyone who owns a body and goes to the doctor. This is the best discussion of I've seen on how statistics matter in medicine and how, unfortunately, not being willing to consider statistics causes us personal harm.
Feb 24, Brent rated it it was amazing. Book was very informative in giving both sides of cancer testing. Challenged some of my beliefs. Nov 24, Carol rated it it was amazing.
A thought-provoking and important book. And yet I know so many women who have very aggressive treatment for stage 0 cancers. We need to change our approach to testing and treatment. This certainly makes me think about whether I want to put myself through a colonoscopy.
Oct 12, E S rated it it was ok Recommends it for: Hypochondriacs. If cancer doesn't kill you something else will. Gilbert Welch makes the case that testing healthy people for cancer is really a double-edged sword: while these tests may help, they often have surprisingly little effect and are sometimes even harmful. Bringing together a body of little-known medical research in an engaging and accessible style, he discusses in detail the pitfalls of screening tests, showing how they can miss some cancers, how they can lead to invasive, unnecessary treatments, and how they can distract doctors from other important issues.
Welch's conclusions are powerful, counterintuitive, and disturbing: the early detection of cancer does not always save lives, it can be hard to know who really has early cancer, and there are some cancers better left undiscovered.
Should I Be Tested for Cancer? It is indispensable reading for the millions of Americans who repeatedly face screening tests and who want to make better-informed decisions about their own health care. Gilbert Welch, M. It is unlikely that you will benefit 2.
You may have a "cancer scare" and face an endless cycle of testing 3. You may receive unnecessary treatment 4. You may find a cancer you would rather not know about 5. Understand the culture of medicine and why we are pushed to test 8. Understand the limits to research—even genetic research and why it is hard to be sure there really are benefits to screening Develop a strategy that works for you Appendix: Summary of cancers discussed in this book Glossary Notes Index.
Books Journals. But imperfect tests, false positives, and overdiagnosis mean that sometimes the tests do more harm than good, and in recent years, there have been more recommendations to reduce some kinds of screening, including pap smears, colonoscopies , mammograms, and even annual pelvic exams. Gilbert Welch, a professor of medicine, public policy, and business administration at Dartmouth College, and author of the book Should I Be Tested for Cancer?
The more you look for disease, the more you find it. The panel gave the example of prostate cancer, which is very common in men—one in seven American men will be diagnosed with it in their lifetimes.
Preventive Services Task Force. The possibility of a false positive is another downside. Ultimately, it comes down to a weighing of the benefits and the harms, and, in the absence of clear evidence, the preferences of the patient.
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