Burgess wrote:I too recommend Dr. Gilbert Welch's book, Over-Diagnosed.
http://anti-itisdiet.blogspot.com/2011/ ... lbert.html
The book contains a lot of information, but following the author's line of argument is easy. The issues are intellectually and emotionally difficult for everyone -- not only patients, but physicians as well.
I have not read all the sections of the book. Some sections -- such as the ones on breast cancer and risky pregnancies -- do not apply to me.
I agree with the author's general conclusion: Modern medicine can solve certain problems that very sick people encounter, and modern medicine deserves credit for that. Patients, however, should be very cautious about screening (testing before there are even any symptoms of illness) and premature diagnoses of "problems" that are unlikely to injure or kill the patient.
The time to read this book, or at least most sections of it, is now -- not when one is frightened by an emerging medical problem.
Mahalo, for bumping this thread up again. What a great article to print to share. And I went back and listened to "Is Preventive Medicine Actually Overtreatment?" And Skip's response to my post is so clear, it is so hard to emotionally disengage from our social herd mentality that medicine is so wrapped around, where food as food for thought is the solution. I have the book on my ipod... and will have to begin to read it again. Hopefully it will come out on audio... Mahalo again.. patty