Talk Cancer

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Susan Fein wrote: > x-no-archive: yes > In article <20030813210803.06755.00000…@mb-m03.aol.com>, > franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) writes: >>She is trying to sell her books here. > That’s a separate issue from her signature, though, Sharon.  If someone has a > commercial interest, it actually protects other posters by alerting them to it. > Actual selling tactics are a different matter, but a sig line is perfectly > acceptable. > Susan

No it isn’t. It’s a sales tactic. Someone selling otc progesterone cream isn’t allowed to post her site here. A fraud posing a medical specialist isn’t allowed to sell her crap here either.

Response:

>No it isn’t. It’s a sales tactic. Someone selling otc progesterone cream >isn’t allowed to post her site here. A fraud posing a medical specialist >isn’t allowed to sell her crap here either.

Actaully anyone is allowed to post here – it’s an unmoderated newsgroup. If someone puts a pot on the NG which is selling stuff/spam, it may well violate their ISP terms of service and it may result in having their account stopped, but technically, there’s nothing to stop anyone posting. Cheers, helen s ~~~~~~~~~~ This is sent from a redundant email Mail sent to it is dumped My correct one can be gleaned from h$**$*$el$**e$n$**$d$**$o$*$t**$$s$**$im$mo$ns*@a$**o$l.c$$*o$*m*$ by getting rid of the overdependence on money and fame ~~~~~~~~~~

Response:

In article <bhes9t$cf…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Priscilla Ballou wrote: > > In article <bhefap$5v…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> > > wrote: > >>What exactly is a "urogynecologist" and how does one obtain > >>certification allowing one to bill oneself as one? > > You’ve never heard of a urogynecologist?  There are several in the > > Boston area (well, we’re loaded with doctors of many kinds).  IME, they > > tend to specialize in urinary incontinence and other urological problems > > of women. > > Priscilla > I’ve heard of gynecologists who specialize in female urology but they > must be board certified as both gyns and urologists. Gillespie is board > certified as neither, but she uses a title that suggests she is both.

You expressed ignorance of the field of urogynecology, so I gave you some information.  That’s all.  Has nothing to do with Gillespie. Priscilla

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -wafflyDIRTYcatLITTERhcsBOX wrote: >>No it isn’t. It’s a sales tactic. Someone selling otc progesterone cream >>isn’t allowed to post her site here. A fraud posing a medical specialist >>isn’t allowed to sell her crap here either. > Actaully anyone is allowed to post here – it’s an unmoderated newsgroup. If > someone puts a pot on the NG which is selling stuff/spam, it may well violate > their ISP terms of service and it may result in having their account stopped, > but technically, there’s nothing to stop anyone posting. > Cheers, helen s > ~~~~~~~~~~ > This is sent from a redundant email > Mail sent to it is dumped > My correct one can be gleaned from > h$**$*$el$**e$n$**$d$**$o$*$t**$$s$**$im$mo$ns*@a$**o$l.c$$*o$*m*$ > by getting rid of the overdependence on money and fame > ~~~~~~~~~~

Commercial posts are forbidden on any newsgroup that does not specifically allow them. Therefore such post violate usenet rules and therefore people who post such messages may lose their accounts. Technically, no one can prevent anyone from posting a commercial message to a newsgroup. However, members of the group can make such posters unwelcome, which is what Sharon was doing with her justified and timely anti-spam post.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Priscilla Ballou wrote: > In article <bhes9t$cf…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> > wrote: >>Priscilla Ballou wrote: >>>In article <bhefap$5v…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> >>>wrote: >>>>What exactly is a "urogynecologist" and how does one obtain >>>>certification allowing one to bill oneself as one? >>>You’ve never heard of a urogynecologist?  There are several in the >>>Boston area (well, we’re loaded with doctors of many kinds).  IME, they >>>tend to specialize in urinary incontinence and other urological problems >>>of women. >>>Priscilla >>I’ve heard of gynecologists who specialize in female urology but they >>must be board certified as both gyns and urologists. Gillespie is board >>certified as neither, but she uses a title that suggests she is both. > You expressed ignorance of the field of urogynecology, so I gave you > some information.  That’s all.  Has nothing to do with Gillespie. > Priscilla

What you read as "ignorance of the field of urogynecology" was actually a question to this self-proclaimed specialiust to outline what credentials such a specialist needs to have – credentials she does not possess.

Response:

Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> quoth: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Priscilla Ballou wrote: >> In article <bhes9t$cf…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> >> wrote: >>>Priscilla Ballou wrote: >>>>In article <bhefap$5v…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> >>>>wrote: >>>>>What exactly is a "urogynecologist" and how does one obtain >>>>>certification allowing one to bill oneself as one? >>>>You’ve never heard of a urogynecologist?  There are several in the >>>>Boston area (well, we’re loaded with doctors of many kinds).  IME, they >>>>tend to specialize in urinary incontinence and other urological problems >>>>of women. >>>I’ve heard of gynecologists who specialize in female urology but they >>>must be board certified as both gyns and urologists. Gillespie is board >>>certified as neither, but she uses a title that suggests she is both. >> You expressed ignorance of the field of urogynecology, so I gave you >> some information.  That’s all.  Has nothing to do with Gillespie. >What you read as "ignorance of the field of urogynecology" was actually >a question to this self-proclaimed specialiust to outline what >credentials such a specialist needs to have – credentials she does not >possess.

Sounds like ignorance to me.  What you said was: >>>>>What exactly is a "urogynecologist" and how does one obtain >>>>>certification allowing one to bill oneself as one?

Next time you don’t want to sound ignorant about something, I suggest you not ask what it is. Just an idea. Priscilla

Response:

Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> wrote in news:bhefap$5v5$1@bob.news.rcn.net: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> When did you pass your state boards as a urologist? > What exactly is a "urogynecologist" and how does one obtain > certification allowing one to bill oneself as one? > According to the CA State Medical Board, it appears you still havent > cleared up that minor problem with suspension of your license. > Worthless and unnecessary medical procedures are "Dr." Gillespie’s stock > in trade according to an LA Times article published in Feb of 1998. > Transvaginal ultrasound, or any other kind of ultrasound is a really > lousy way to diagnose ovarian cancer. It is most definitely not > recommended by any reputable medical organization as an annual screening > test for ovarian cancer. Out of every 100 women who have a positive > ultrasound, one will have ovarian cancer. The other 99 get to undergo > exploratory surgery for benign cysts and artifacts. > The unfortunate truth is that there is no good test for ovarian cancer. > None.

Dog, Terri, you’re wonderful!  What an investigator you are, and how lucky we are that you frequent this ng.  Thanks for doing all that research.   As for the .sig line, I come down on the side of those who feel it’s helpful in showing possible (in this case, certain) bias, but I also applaud Sharon for bringing it up.  The discussion is helpful, especially to newbies who aren’t aware of these finer details.   Well done all around. Chakolate

Response:

>Therefore such post violate usenet rules and >therefore people who post such messages may lose their accounts.

Indeed, as I put in my reply – they might lose their ISP account. >Technically, no one can prevent anyone from posting a commercial message >to a newsgroup.

Indeed, as I put in my original reply. >However, members of the group can make such posters >unwelcome, which is what Sharon was doing with her justified and timely >anti-spam post.

Didn’t say her post wasn’t timely, etc., etc.. Cheers, helen s ~~~~~~~~~~ This is sent from a redundant email Mail sent to it is dumped My correct one can be gleaned from h$**$*$el$**e$n$**$d$**$o$*$t**$$s$**$im$mo$ns*@a$**o$l.c$$*o$*m*$ by getting rid of the overdependence on money and fame ~~~~~~~~~~

Response:

On 11 Aug 2003 23:18:50 GMT, franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) wrote: >>From: Terri vl-hb…@erols.com >>Date: 8/11/03 4:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time >Where is the link to the article? I may be able to find it myself.

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/health/index.html I posted the index list, there are some other interesting articles too. Kathryn

Response:

>From: Kathryn droz…@shaw.ca >Date: 8/11/03 5:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time >>Where is the link to the article? I may be able to find it myself. >http://www.nytimes.com/pages/health/index.html

Thanks! Sharon…………A warm toll-house cookie is an experience not unlike a religious epiphany.

Response:

Priscilla Ballou <p…@world.std.com> wrote in message <news:phb-3C102B.19342311082003@news.verizon.net>… > In article <bh97n4$al…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> > wrote: > > Other tests are superfluous for other reasons. Feeling the ovaries in a > > pelvic exam is not a good way to find ovarian cancer, according to the > > Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American College of > > Physicians; by the time a tumor can be felt, the cancer is probably too > > advanced for treatment to help. Not finding anything is not necessarily > > reassuring because small tumors cannot be felt anyway, the group adds." > What *is* a good way to find ovarian cancer? > Priscilla

Hello. Best way to find it is with transvaginal ultrasound. THis eliminates the "hand" technique which was horrible etc. As a urogynecologist I can attest to how much "guessing" is done by the manual exam. Every woman should have an annual trans vaginal ultrasound as part of the standard gyn checkup. Larrian Gillespie MD http://www.hormonediva.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->From: lgill…@interserv.com  (Hormone Diva) >Date: 8/13/03 2:12 PM Pacific Daylight Time >Priscilla Ballou <p…@world.std.com> wrote in message ><news:phb-3C102B.19342311082003@news.verizon.net>… >> In article <bh97n4$al…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> >> wrote: >> > Other tests are superfluous for other reasons. Feeling the ovaries in a >> > pelvic exam is not a good way to find ovarian cancer, according to the >> > Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American College of >> > Physicians; by the time a tumor can be felt, the cancer is probably too >> > advanced for treatment to help. Not finding anything is not necessarily >> > reassuring because small tumors cannot be felt anyway, the group adds." >> What *is* a good way to find ovarian cancer? >> Priscilla >Hello. Best way to find it is with transvaginal ultrasound. THis >eliminates the "hand" technique which was horrible etc. As a >urogynecologist I can attest to how much "guessing" is done by the >manual exam. Every woman should have an annual trans vaginal >ultrasound as part of the standard gyn checkup. >Larrian Gillespie MD >http://www.hormonediva.com

We don’t allow commercial promotion on this newsgroup. I’m sure your advice was meant well,but did you have to post your website too? Sharon…………A warm toll-house cookie is an experience not unlike a religious epiphany.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hormone Diva wrote: > Priscilla Ballou <p…@world.std.com> wrote in message <news:phb-3C102B.19342311082003@news.verizon.net>… >>In article <bh97n4$al…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> >>wrote: >>>Other tests are superfluous for other reasons. Feeling the ovaries in a >>>pelvic exam is not a good way to find ovarian cancer, according to the >>>Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American College of >>>Physicians; by the time a tumor can be felt, the cancer is probably too >>>advanced for treatment to help. Not finding anything is not necessarily >>>reassuring because small tumors cannot be felt anyway, the group adds." >>What *is* a good way to find ovarian cancer? >>Priscilla > Hello. Best way to find it is with transvaginal ultrasound. THis > eliminates the "hand" technique which was horrible etc. As a > urogynecologist I can attest to how much "guessing" is done by the > manual exam. Every woman should have an annual trans vaginal > ultrasound as part of the standard gyn checkup. > Larrian Gillespie MD > http://www.hormonediva.com

When did you pass your state boards as a urologist? What exactly is a "urogynecologist" and how does one obtain certification allowing one to bill oneself as one? According to the CA State Medical Board, it appears you still havent cleared up that minor problem with suspension of your license. Worthless and unnecessary medical procedures are "Dr." Gillespie’s stock in trade according to an LA Times article published in Feb of 1998. Transvaginal ultrasound, or any other kind of ultrasound is a really lousy way to diagnose ovarian cancer. It is most definitely not recommended by any reputable medical organization as an annual screening test for ovarian cancer. Out of every 100 women who have a positive ultrasound, one will have ovarian cancer. The other 99 get to undergo exploratory surgery for benign cysts and artifacts. The unfortunate truth is that there is no good test for ovarian cancer. None.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Priscilla Ballou wrote: > In article <bh97n4$al…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> > wrote: >>Other tests are superfluous for other reasons. Feeling the ovaries in a >>pelvic exam is not a good way to find ovarian cancer, according to the >>Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American College of >>Physicians; by the time a tumor can be felt, the cancer is probably too >>advanced for treatment to help. Not finding anything is not necessarily >>reassuring because small tumors cannot be felt anyway, the group adds." > What *is* a good way to find ovarian cancer? > Priscilla

There’s no such thing.

Response:

In article <bhefap$5v…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> wrote: > What exactly is a "urogynecologist" and how does one obtain > certification allowing one to bill oneself as one?

You’ve never heard of a urogynecologist?  There are several in the Boston area (well, we’re loaded with doctors of many kinds).  IME, they tend to specialize in urinary incontinence and other urological problems of women. Priscilla

Response:

In article <20030813184217.27503.00001…@mb-m24.aol.com>,  suf…@aol.comnospam (Susan Fein) wrote: > x-no-archive: yes > In article <20030813172908.06755.00000…@mb-m03.aol.com>, > franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) writes: > >We don’t allow commercial promotion on this newsgroup. I’m sure your advice > >was > >meant well,but did you have to post your website too? > As I understand usenet protocol, a commercial signature is perfectly > acceptable, and alerts readers to possible poster bias.

Yup.  What she said. Priscilla

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->From: Priscilla Ballou p…@world.std.com >Date: 8/13/03 6:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time >In article <20030813184217.27503.00001…@mb-m24.aol.com>, > suf…@aol.comnospam (Susan Fein) wrote: >> x-no-archive: yes >> In article <20030813172908.06755.00000…@mb-m03.aol.com>, >> franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) writes: >> >We don’t allow commercial promotion on this newsgroup. I’m sure your >advice >> >was >> >meant well,but did you have to post your website too? >> As I understand usenet protocol, a commercial signature is perfectly >> acceptable, and alerts readers to possible poster bias. >Yup.  What she said.

She is trying to sell her books here. Sharon…………A warm toll-house cookie is an experience not unlike a religious epiphany.

Response:

In article <20030813210803.06755.00000…@mb-m03.aol.com>, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text - franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) wrote: > >From: Priscilla Ballou p…@world.std.com > >Date: 8/13/03 6:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time > >In article <20030813184217.27503.00001…@mb-m24.aol.com>, > > suf…@aol.comnospam (Susan Fein) wrote: > >> x-no-archive: yes > >> In article <20030813172908.06755.00000…@mb-m03.aol.com>, > >> franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) writes: > >> >We don’t allow commercial promotion on this newsgroup. I’m sure your > >advice > >> >was > >> >meant well,but did you have to post your website too? > >> As I understand usenet protocol, a commercial signature is perfectly > >> acceptable, and alerts readers to possible poster bias. > >Yup.  What she said. > She is trying to sell her books here.

Yes, but that doesn’t change netiquette. Priscilla

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->From: Priscilla Ballou p…@world.std.com >Date: 8/13/03 6:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time >In article <20030813210803.06755.00000…@mb-m03.aol.com>, > franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) wrote: >> >From: Priscilla Ballou p…@world.std.com >> >Date: 8/13/03 6:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time >> >In article <20030813184217.27503.00001…@mb-m24.aol.com>, >> > suf…@aol.comnospam (Susan Fein) wrote: >> >> x-no-archive: yes >> >> In article <20030813172908.06755.00000…@mb-m03.aol.com>, >> >> franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) writes: >> >> >We don’t allow commercial promotion on this newsgroup. I’m sure your >> >advice >> >> >was >> >> >meant well,but did you have to post your website too? >> >> As I understand usenet protocol, a commercial signature is perfectly >> >> acceptable, and alerts readers to possible poster bias. >> >Yup.  What she said. >> She is trying to sell her books here. >Yes, but that doesn’t change netiquette.

Technically,maybe. But she’s spamming nonetheless. Sharon…………A warm toll-house cookie is an experience not unlike a religious epiphany.

Response:

Priscilla Ballou wrote: > In article <bhefap$5v…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> > wrote: >>What exactly is a "urogynecologist" and how does one obtain >>certification allowing one to bill oneself as one? > You’ve never heard of a urogynecologist?  There are several in the > Boston area (well, we’re loaded with doctors of many kinds).  IME, they > tend to specialize in urinary incontinence and other urological problems > of women. > Priscilla

I’ve heard of gynecologists who specialize in female urology but they must be board certified as both gyns and urologists. Gillespie is board certified as neither, but she uses a title that suggests she is both.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Frankenmel wrote: >>From: Priscilla Ballou p…@world.std.com >>Date: 8/13/03 6:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time >>In article <20030813210803.06755.00000…@mb-m03.aol.com>, >>franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) wrote: >>>>From: Priscilla Ballou p…@world.std.com >>>>Date: 8/13/03 6:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time >>>>In article <20030813184217.27503.00001…@mb-m24.aol.com>, >>>>suf…@aol.comnospam (Susan Fein) wrote: >>>>>x-no-archive: yes >>>>>In article <20030813172908.06755.00000…@mb-m03.aol.com>, >>>>>franken…@aol.comDONT (Frankenmel) writes: >>>>>>We don’t allow commercial promotion on this newsgroup. I’m sure your >>>>advice >>>>>>was >>>>>>meant well,but did you have to post your website too? >>>>>As I understand usenet protocol, a commercial signature is perfectly >>>>>acceptable, and alerts readers to possible poster bias. >>>>Yup.  What she said. >>>She is trying to sell her books here. >>Yes, but that doesn’t change netiquette. > Technically,maybe. But she’s spamming nonetheless.

Yes, she is. *And* claiming credentials she doesn’t have to make her stuff appear more authoritative. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sharon…………A warm toll-house cookie is an experience not unlike a > religious epiphany.

Response:

In article <bh97n4$al…@bob.news.rcn.net>, Terri <vl-hb…@erols.com> wrote: > Other tests are superfluous for other reasons. Feeling the ovaries in a > pelvic exam is not a good way to find ovarian cancer, according to the > Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American College of > Physicians; by the time a tumor can be felt, the cancer is probably too > advanced for treatment to help. Not finding anything is not necessarily > reassuring because small tumors cannot be felt anyway, the group adds."

What *is* a good way to find ovarian cancer? Priscilla

Response:

Frankenmel wrote: >>From: Terri vl-hb…@erols.com >>Date: 8/11/03 4:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time > Where is the link to the article? I may be able to find it myself.

Try Google news – health section. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Annual Physical Checkup May Be An Empty Ritual >>Some interesting quotes: >>"It found no evidence, for example, that routine pelvic, rectal and >>testicular exams made any difference in overall survival rates for those >>with no symptoms of illness. >>It warned that such tests can lead to false alarms, necessitating a >>round of expensive and sometimes risky follow-up tests. And even many >>tests that are useful, like cholesterol and blood pressure checks, need >>not be done every year, it said in reports to doctors, policy makers and >>the public." >>and then there’s this: >>"Proponents of evidence-based medicine acknowledge that repeated tests >>like chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, rectal exams, pelvic exams, >>urinanalyses and blood work do occasionally find problems before >>symptoms emerge. But that does not make them necessary or even >>advisable, said Dr. David Atkins, the science adviser to the United >>States Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts >>that advises the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. >>For example, Dr. Atkins said, urinanalysis can detect bacteria in the >>urine of 5 to 10 percent of women who have no symptoms of bladder >>infection. But when such patients were studied, it turned out there was >>no difference in the outcomes between women given antibiotics and those >>given placebos. >>Although the bacteria disappeared in most women’s urine after they began >>taking antibiotics, they often came back after the drugs were stopped. >>In the end, just as many patients in each group ended up with >>symptomatic bladder infections. The only difference was that the group >>of women who took antibiotics early on had more side effects. >>Other tests are superfluous for other reasons. Feeling the ovaries in a >>pelvic exam is not a good way to find ovarian cancer, according to the >>Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American College of >>Physicians; by the time a tumor can be felt, the cancer is probably too >>advanced for treatment to help. Not finding anything is not necessarily >>reassuring because small tumors cannot be felt anyway, the group adds." > Sharon…………A warm toll-house cookie is an experience not unlike a > religious epiphany.

Response:

>From: Terri vl-hb…@erols.com >Date: 8/11/03 4:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time

Where is the link to the article? I may be able to find it myself. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Annual Physical Checkup May Be An Empty Ritual >Some interesting quotes: >"It found no evidence, for example, that routine pelvic, rectal and >testicular exams made any difference in overall survival rates for those >with no symptoms of illness. >It warned that such tests can lead to false alarms, necessitating a >round of expensive and sometimes risky follow-up tests. And even many >tests that are useful, like cholesterol and blood pressure checks, need >not be done every year, it said in reports to doctors, policy makers and >the public." >and then there’s this: >"Proponents of evidence-based medicine acknowledge that repeated tests >like chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, rectal exams, pelvic exams, >urinanalyses and blood work do occasionally find problems before >symptoms emerge. But that does not make them necessary or even >advisable, said Dr. David Atkins, the science adviser to the United >States Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts >that advises the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. >For example, Dr. Atkins said, urinanalysis can detect bacteria in the >urine of 5 to 10 percent of women who have no symptoms of bladder >infection. But when such patients were studied, it turned out there was >no difference in the outcomes between women given antibiotics and those >given placebos. >Although the bacteria disappeared in most women’s urine after they began >taking antibiotics, they often came back after the drugs were stopped. >In the end, just as many patients in each group ended up with >symptomatic bladder infections. The only difference was that the group >of women who took antibiotics early on had more side effects. >Other tests are superfluous for other reasons. Feeling the ovaries in a >pelvic exam is not a good way to find ovarian cancer, according to the >Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American College of >Physicians; by the time a tumor can be felt, the cancer is probably too >advanced for treatment to help. Not finding anything is not necessarily >reassuring because small tumors cannot be felt anyway, the group adds."

Sharon…………A warm toll-house cookie is an experience not unlike a religious epiphany.

Response:

Annual Physical Checkup May Be An Empty Ritual Some interesting quotes: "It found no evidence, for example, that routine pelvic, rectal and testicular exams made any difference in overall survival rates for those with no symptoms of illness. It warned that such tests can lead to false alarms, necessitating a round of expensive and sometimes risky follow-up tests. And even many tests that are useful, like cholesterol and blood pressure checks, need not be done every year, it said in reports to doctors, policy makers and the public." and then there’s this: "Proponents of evidence-based medicine acknowledge that repeated tests like chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, rectal exams, pelvic exams, urinanalyses and blood work do occasionally find problems before symptoms emerge. But that does not make them necessary or even advisable, said Dr. David Atkins, the science adviser to the United States Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts that advises the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. For example, Dr. Atkins said, urinanalysis can detect bacteria in the urine of 5 to 10 percent of women who have no symptoms of bladder infection. But when such patients were studied, it turned out there was no difference in the outcomes between women given antibiotics and those given placebos. Although the bacteria disappeared in most women’s urine after they began taking antibiotics, they often came back after the drugs were stopped. In the end, just as many patients in each group ended up with symptomatic bladder infections. The only difference was that the group of women who took antibiotics early on had more side effects. Other tests are superfluous for other reasons. Feeling the ovaries in a pelvic exam is not a good way to find ovarian cancer, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the American College of Physicians; by the time a tumor can be felt, the cancer is probably too advanced for treatment to help. Not finding anything is not necessarily reassuring because small tumors cannot be felt anyway, the group adds."

Response: