There are risks associated with preventative health screenings. Doctors do not inform their patients about these risks. The patients aren’t ready to decide if these screenings are necessary or a total negative that isn’t worth the risks. The positives and downsides of preventative screening have been demonstrated in clinical trials.
Preventive Screenings: The Value of
Preventative screenings are provided by doctors to their patients in the hope of detecting an illness or disease that may be developing or getting worse so they can intervene. The doctors are well aware of the potential harm that screenings can cause and weigh it against the health benefits for the patient. Sometimes, the decision is made easier. For example, when testing for diabetes, hypertension, or cervical cancer. GRADE is a system that doctors use to guide them in making these decisions. It gives a strong recommendation. This system is based on research which weighs the risks and benefits of many screenings. It gives a weak or strong recommendation to a patient.
The GRADE system would give a low recommendation for breast, prostate, and lung cancer screenings. The doctor must then assess the patient’s concerns and health history to determine if screenings will be beneficial.
The risks of receiving preventative care
The doctors are aware of the risks, but they don’t share the information as readily with the patients. False-positive screening results are one of the greatest risks. It is stressful enough to be told you have a serious disease, but then have the message that your test was incorrect can cause even more stress. If the test is harmful, then if a patient is found to be in good health, there is no reason for them to be at risk.
In a lung cancer clinical trial, 90% of men who were given a positive lung cancer test result had a false positive. Most patients probably didn’t know that their test could give a false-positive result. Early warning signs are vital for patients to avoid unnecessary harm.
Overdiagnosis is another risk. The advancements in technology make it possible to detect even the smallest of changes. Overdiagnosis of cancers that do not progress is a common mistake.
The best outcomes for a patient’s wellbeing depend on the doctors making the right decisions when weighing the pros and cons associated with preventative health screenings.
