On the other hand, doctors can over treat for symptoms and what they consider medical problems. There are pills for everything. It is being reported by latest studies, many women are being over treated for breast cancer. There are hundreds of different types of cancer, but doctors often lump all varieties in one diagnosis, cancer. This alarms patients to the degree they want the most care to eliminate cancer, often including chemo, radiation, surgery. It's called the "gold standard" of care. My question is "gold" for who?
I agree, 37 years is a long time to go without a check up. But I do feel everyone should really understand what they're being treated for and what are the side effects and how will that affect my quality of life. I do not always follow my doctors recommendations. I almost had my gall bladder removed because the ultrasound saw gallstones.I did not make the surgical appointment and found out I did not have gallstones at all, after a CT scan and a 2nd ultrasound. I had a twisted small intestine blockage which is more painful than childbirth. I did not have surgery, but an NG tube that removes bile from the intestine and relaxes the blockage.
Do I want a medicine that can destroy my liver or kidneys to solve a problem that can be corrected by a good diet and exercise? Just saying, I'm skeptical, but I do see my doctor regularly. Sometimes blocked arteries go unnoticed until the massive heart attack. Happened to a friend of mine who sees her doctor regularly. She had open heart surgery, but had no symptoms before the heart attack.
