Research Finds 3 Common Treatments Often Unnecessary for Patients Over 75
Updated
Updated · Daily Kos · May 25
Research Finds 3 Common Treatments Often Unnecessary for Patients Over 75
2 articles · Updated · Daily Kos · May 25
New studies and editorials say repeat colonoscopies, routine actinic keratosis removal and some levothyroxine use often deliver little benefit for older adults while adding risk, pain or monitoring burdens.
Among nearly 92,000 VA patients over 75, prior adenomas raised 10-year colon cancer deaths only to 0.5% from 0.4%, while almost half died of other causes; another study found nearly 7% had hospitalization or ER visits within a month of colonoscopy.
For actinic keratoses, a large Medicare study found almost 30% of beneficiaries were diagnosed over five years, yet the chance an average lesion becomes skin cancer is under 1 in 1,000, supporting watchful surveillance instead of painful removal in many cases.
In a Dutch trial of 370 adults over 60 with subclinical hypothyroidism, a quarter stopped levothyroxine after a 30-week taper and still maintained healthy thyroid function a year later, though experts said patients should not discontinue the drug without monitoring.
The findings add to a broader push to scale back low-value care in old age, as doctors and patients reassess long-standing habits around cancer screening and lifelong medication.
As doctors reduce treatments for seniors, are they saving lives or just cutting costs?
Is your doctor's routine advice actually harmful? New research is changing senior healthcare.
Rethinking Routine Care for Seniors: Why Less Can Be More After Age 75
Overview
Medical care for older adults is changing, moving away from the idea that more treatment is always better. This shift is driven by concerns that too many tests and treatments can bring unnecessary risks, lower quality of life, and offer little real benefit for seniors. New research and updated guidelines now recommend making decisions based on each person’s health, life expectancy, and personal goals, especially for cancer screenings. By recognizing the unique challenges of aging—like different abilities and risks—healthcare is becoming more personalized, aiming to protect seniors from overtreatment and focus on what matters most to them.