Needless medical tests may lead to a mortal end

Needless medical tests may lead to a mortal end (Photo: iStock)

We live in a health-conscious age. Advice on eating habits, smoking, alcohol, exercise and much more are commonplace. There are all sorts of well-being health checks, pills and screening tests to prevent disease. But some have taken it too far, occasionally ending up worse.

Disease prevention strategies are a mix of lifestyles and pre-emptive medical interventions. We routinely screen for cancers and other chronic medical conditions. Screening tests must have a good balance between benefit and harm.