Are health checks worthwhile ?

[Doc Alan]

I quite often receive letters inviting me to join in a "private" health screening programme costing around £175. I've never taken it up since I appear fit and healthy, but do regularly participate in the free health MOT screening at work ...... Cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, etc.

I hope the thread has proved useful Rosie .


Of course there's NO perfect screening test for apparently well people – always right, neither invasive nor unpleasant, with a cure that’s always successful and with no side effects .

In a screening programme, the gamble is taken that ultimately it will cause more good than harm. Medics and the general public need to be aware that there should be evidence in favour of the " good " for ANY screening test, whether already on offer " for free " on the NHS, or paid for by other means. That’s why there’s no widespread screening for some serious illnesses.


We’ve reached the stage – at least in the UK - where apparently healthy people have become patients, through abnormalities detected at screening ; our bodies have become equated to cars requiring regular " MOTs " ; and patients have become customers or clients !


I'm sure members will make their own minds up before being " checked and screened " into becoming patients !




http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Patient-.../dp/1780660006

[Rosie1958]

I hope the thread has proved useful Rosie .

Most definitely, Doc Alan, thank you for posting I had already tried to acknowledge with a rep but the system is preventing me from doing so. Next time