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Blogs by David W. Page
Is the doctor's exam worth it? 5/4/2015 8:20:28 AM
There are recommendations out there that suggest that routine physical examinations and blood work aren't necessary. Physicians are taught how to examine every organ in the body. We inspect, palpate (feel), listen with our trusty stethoscopes, and percussion -- that finger tapping thing. And now we're told that trying to assess the pancreas isn't a good idea. Ditto the spleen and liver -- although truth be told seriously enlarged spleens and livers are easy to detect. Thyroid exam? Testicular exam? Not so good after all (young men particularly should self-exam their testicles).
And imaging may lead you into trouble as well. A spot is found in your pancreas on CT scan that raises the ugly prospect of needing a huge operation even though no tissue (pathology) has been proven. A liver defect is found and the spread of cancer is suspected. A needle biopsy stirs up massive bleeding from what turns out to be a malformation of blood vessels, a knot of 'ready-to-bleed' arteries and veins sleeping innocently in a cluster and no threat to you.
So, what to do to be safe and vigilant about your health?
This alert doesn't mean you don't need to be examined by a competent doctor. It means that a 'finding' may lead to more tests and more danger and expense for you. Always ask questions about probabilities.
