Don't Be Fooled by "High-End" Checkups! Deciphering Unnecessary Medical Examinations

Don't Be Fooled by "High-End" Checkups! Deciphering Unnecessary Medical ExaminationsPreface:Today, we will delve into some seemingly high-end but actually unnecessary medical examinations. These examinations are often overhyped but can potentially cause unnecessary harm to our bodies

Don't Be Fooled by "High-End" Checkups! Deciphering Unnecessary Medical Examinations

Preface:

In the era of information explosion, health information inundates our lives, and various health secrets and health guides emerge endlessly. Faced with a myriad of information, we should maintain rational thinking and avoid being misled by various gimmicks.

Today, we will delve into some seemingly high-end but actually unnecessary medical examinations. These examinations are often overhyped but can potentially cause unnecessary harm to our bodies.

I. CT Scan: Don't Let "Environmental Radiation Dose" Become Your "Health Stealth Killer"

CT scans, with their clear three-dimensional cross-sectional images, play a crucial role in disease diagnosis, earning the title of the crown jewel of contemporary medicine. However, it can also become a stealth killer that harms health.

1. Radiation Risk Cannot Be Ignored

The reason why CT scans can obtain clear cross-sectional images of the human body is that X-ray beams rotate rapidly around the body and are processed by a precise computer to generate images. However, frequent exposure to X-ray scanning bombardments poses a risk of radiation accumulation.

Despite the continuous iteration and upgrade of modern CT technology, radiation doses have significantly decreased. However, not all hospitals are equipped with the latest CT equipment. According to statistics, in China, CT equipment with 16 rows or less still accounts for a considerable proportion of those in use. For example, an older 16-row CT for the abdomen can emit a radiation dose of about 10 mSv, equivalent to the radiation from 500 chest X-rays, far exceeding the safe threshold for environmental radiation dose.

2. Excessive Examinations Pose Hidden Dangers

Excessive CT examinations are not uncommon in clinical practice. A study in the United States revealed that trauma patients received an average of 4.4 CT scans; research in Europe indicated that up to one-third of CT scans were unnecessary. If a person undergoes 3-4 CT scans per year, it is equivalent to long-term immersion in a strong radiation environment. Over time, the risk of cancer will significantly increase.

3. Wise Choice is Key

To avoid the dangers of CT radiation, we need to learn to weigh the pros and cons and become informed patients.

• Accept When Necessary, Don't Panic Excessively. If a medical condition truly requires a CT scan for diagnosis, there is no need to worry excessively; simply accept the examination.

• For Less Severe Conditions, Choose Carefully. If the condition is not serious and the examination results will not significantly affect treatment decisions, you can discuss with your doctor and consider alternative non-radiation examinations like ultrasound or MRI. Studies have shown that for patients with abdominal pain, 40% can avoid CT scans by first undergoing ultrasound examinations.

• Learn to Ask Questions and Seek Second Opinions. When confronted with a CT scan ordered by a doctor, you can proactively ask questions: "Doctor, what is the purpose of this examination? How will the results impact my diagnosis and treatment plan?" If the doctor's explanation is insufficient, don't blindly follow; seek a second opinion to ensure the necessity and safety of the examination.

II. Endoscopic Examination: Concerns Behind "Getting a Clear View"

Endoscopic examinations, by peering into our digestive tract from the inside, visually observe the lining of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and intestines, playing a significant role in diagnosing and treating digestive diseases. However, excessive endoscopic examinations can also pose potential risks.

1. "Invasive Procedure," Not Light

Endoscopic examinations are considered invasive procedures and will inevitably cause some pain to the digestive tract. Even though endoscopic equipment is becoming increasingly gentle and thin like noodles, it is still a foreign object invading the body, stimulating the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. In particular, colonoscopy examinations can cause discomfort such as abdominal pain and bloating in many individuals; some may even trigger complications like arrhythmia or breathing difficulties.

2. Cross-Infection, Latent Risk

Excessively frequent endoscopic examinations can also lead to cross-infection risks. If the endoscope is not properly cleaned and disinfected, the unmentionable from the previous patient can potentially meet the next patient through the lens. A survey in the United States revealed that up to 15% of endoscopic examinations failed to meet disinfection standards, including some large hospitals.

3. Moderate Examinations, "Used on the Cutting Edge"

When faced with a doctor's recommendation for endoscopic examinations, we don't have to be afraid of the scope; the key is to understand the indications and avoid blind examinations.

• Obvious Symptoms, Examination Necessary. For patients with obvious symptoms like upper gastrointestinal bleeding or dysphagia, endoscopic examinations are necessary.

• Health Checkup, No Need to Force It. If it is only for a health checkup and there are no obvious digestive symptoms, there is no need to force yourself to look in the mirror.

• Inform of Risks, Weigh Pros and Cons. If you are taking long-term medication like aspirin or have abnormal blood clotting, inform your doctor beforehand and weigh the risks and benefits of endoscopic examinations.

• Regular Screening, Disease Prevention. Studies suggest that people over 50 years old or with a family history of digestive tract tumors should consider regular colonoscopy screenings to detect polyps early and prevent colorectal cancer.

III. Tumor Marker Testing: When Early Cancer Screening Meets "Deceptive" Indicators

Tumor marker testing, which detects the levels of certain substances in the blood to identify potential cancer signals early on, is an important method for early cancer screening. However, the misuse of tumor marker testing can not only lead to financial burdens but also cause psychological stress and even excessive treatment.

1. Elevated Indicators, Not "Set in Stone"

So-called tumor markers refer to substances abnormally secreted by tumor cells during tumor development and growth, reflecting the presence and growth of tumors. Common markers include alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Elevated levels of these indicators do not necessarily mean that cancer cells exist in the body; their specificity and sensitivity are far from as magical as one might think.

For instance, CEA can be elevated due to various benign conditions like smoking, cirrhosis, or pancreatitis. AFP elevation can be caused by pregnancy, not just liver cancer.

2. High False-Positive Rate, Psychological "Carcinogenesis"

With advancements in detection technology, tumor marker detection rates are getting higher, but a positive result does not necessarily mean that cancer has actually developed. One study found that in cancer screening, the false-positive rate for various tumor markers can be over 50%.

This means that many people may experience a psychological shift from perfectly healthy to cancer patient due to a deceptive indicator, leading to immense psychological pressure and embarking on a long and arduous anticancer journey, investing significant time, energy, and money, without necessarily being truly afflicted.

3. Scientific Application, a True Weapon

Of course, tumor markers are not entirely useless. For high-risk individuals like hepatitis B carriers or those with a family history of tumors, regular monitoring of tumor marker levels is essential. However, this should be done under the guidance of a professional doctor, taking into account other auxiliary examinations and clinical manifestations, rather than blindly trusting a single indicator.

4. Rational Approach, Avoid Anxiety

In the future, we should adopt a rational attitude and use tumor marker testing technology appropriately under professional guidance, neither blindly worshipping it nor dismissing it altogether. "Not every lump is cancer, but every cancer starts from a lump." We should scientifically weigh the pros and cons and allow tumor marker testing to truly become a weapon to protect health, not a tool for paying for anxiety.

IV. Conclusion:

Faced with various high-end medical examinations, we must maintain a clear mind, think rationally, and avoid being misled by excessive promotion.

• Consult with Doctors, Choose Wisely. Don't blindly follow the crowd; choose suitable examinations based on your health condition and doctor's recommendations.

• Understand Risks, Weigh Pros and Cons. Every examination has its risks; understand the purpose, methods, risks, and benefits of the examination, and communicate fully with your doctor.

• Seek Second Opinions, Ensure Safety. If you have any questions about the doctor's recommendations, seek a second opinion to ensure the necessity and safety of the examination.

Ultimately, we should prioritize health, choose the most suitable medical plan for ourselves, avoid unnecessary risks, and truly enjoy a healthy life.