When diagnosing colon cancer isn ’t in a patient’s best interest

So much of life depends upon timing. Sure, we plan, but we know how much of our life’s events are unplanned and unexpected. So often, our jobs and our mates — two of our most defining accomplishments — are the result of a chance encounter or a random act. Life does not reliably proceed in an orderly manner. This is often true in the medical profession. Here, physicians in our quest to seek out and squelch disease, often discover what would should have been left alone. For example, is discovering prostate cancer in an older man a true benefit if the tumor would have remained silent throughout the man’s life? Whenever possible, it is best to ask the question, “What will I do with the information?”, before recommending a diagnostic test to a patient. There is a risk to disturbing the natural order of things. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Conditions Gastroenterology Oncology/Hematology Source Type: blogs