Should I Be Tested for Cancer?: Maybe Not and Here's Why

by H. Gilbert Welch

Getting tested to detect cancer early is one of the best ways to stay healthy―or is it? In this lively, carefully researched book, a nationally recognized expert on early cancer detection challenges one of medicine's most widely accepted that the best defense against cancer is to always try to catch it early. Read this book and you will think twice about common cancer screening tests such as total body scans, mammograms, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.

Combining patient stories and solid data on common cancers, Dr. H. Gilbert Welch makes the case that testing healthy people for cancer is really a double-edged while these tests may help, they often have surprisingly little effect and are sometimes even harmful. Bringing together a body of little-known medical research in an engaging and accessible style, he discusses in detail the pitfalls of screening tests, showing how they can miss some cancers, how they can lead to invasive, unnecessary treatments, and how they can distract doctors from other important issues. Welch's conclusions are powerful, counterintuitive, and the early detection of cancer does not always save lives, it can be hard to know who really has early cancer, and there are some cancers better left undiscovered.

Should I Be Tested for Cancer? is the only book to clearly and simply lay out the pros and cons of cancer testing for the general public. It is indispensable reading for the millions of Americans who repeatedly face screening tests and who want to make better-informed decisions about their own health care.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Medicine, Science, Medical

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[BethK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gets you to think about the potential harms involved with testing, including overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Certainly, you do not want to be treated for cancer if you do not have cancer. It also brings up the notion of "pseudodisease" - you have cancer, but it is slow-growing, and will certainly not pose a problem in your lifetime. People with pseudodisease can only be harmed.

Tests are not risk-free. Having tests, tracking them, discussing them takes precious time from each healthcare encounter which might be better spent on actual conditions for which the patient is seeking treatment - which is often overlooked, leading to more expensive treatment later.

This book is now 13 years old, but his points have become more convincing, not less. The age of the book is why I only gave it 4-stars. A recent article put up by the European Journal of Clinical Investigation https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/f... has more up-to-date and indepth discussion than the book - and gets to the same points.

[Susan Mcardle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book didn't give the total answer, it did tell you what to ask and what to think about. I was surprised by a lot of the statistics in this book, the number of women likely treated for no reason, and the small amount of deaths saved by some tests. Defintely pays to ask questions when Doctors want to send you for a test. The only reason i didn't give this 5 stars, is it would have been helpful to have some statistics in the appendix.

[Ignatius Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for anyone who owns a body and goes to the doctor.
This is the best discussion of I've seen on how statistics matter in medicine and how, unfortunately, not being
willing to consider statistics causes us personal harm.

[Amber M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a very important book to read when it comes to screening for cancers. If you want to find any and all possible cancers, then this isn't the book for you. However, if you are healthy and feel fine, maybe you should reconsider looking for cancer through routine screenings. Are you ready for overtreatment and overdiagnosis that may result from the findings? Is finding cancer "early" always beneficial? What if it never actually becomes an aggressive cancer? Many people accidentally find cancer while being seen for something else. Now what do you do with that information? I really enjoyed reading this book and I think the author thoroughly explains his points while backing up what he is presenting. I think people should read this book and consider his arguments well before they have to deal with a possible cancer diagnosis.

[K.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this book is several years old, the premise is still relevant. While I believe that medical testing has its place and can play an important role in healthcare, I have long felt that 'routine' health screening tests are also a way for medical offices to generate more business. When I read this book, I realized that I am not alone in my thinking. Don't be put off by the passages dealing with statistics. The author quickly explains the point he is making by sharing them. I believe everyone should read this book prior to agreeing to routine cancer screenings. ~Karen Creamer, RN, author of Honor Your Health

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book was very informative in giving both sides of cancer testing. Challenged some of my beliefs. Recommended.

[Remy Jakobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. While screening for cancer might provide benefit in certain cases, the discussion around it has mostly ignored the other side of the argument. I'm deeply grateful for the author for bringing a more balanced perspective to the public. Screening is a choice and there is no clear right or wrong decision. It's comforting and reassuring to read a medical expert acknowledge and address this.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking and important book. I’m one of those women who had invasive breast cancer with no symptoms caught on a mammogram. And yet... I know so many women who have very aggressive treatment for stage 0 cancers. We need to change our approach to testing and treatment. This certainly makes me think about whether I want to put myself through a colonoscopy.

[E S · Rating 2 out of 5]

If cancer doesn't kill you something else will.