Investigators question common medical routines for older patients
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 2
Investigators question common medical routines for older patients
7 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 2
The review highlights three examples: repeat colonoscopies after 75, removal of actinic keratoses and thyroid medication that many older patients may safely stop.
Doctors say age can shift the balance of benefit and harm, as procedure risks such as bleeding, anaesthesia reactions and interrupted blood thinners may outweigh limited gains.
The reassessment reflects growing evidence that routine screening, treatment and minor procedures should be tailored more carefully for advanced age rather than continued automatically.
Could stopping routine screenings and medications in older adults actually improve their quality of life, or are we risking missing critical diagnoses?
How can older patients and families navigate the decision to discontinue treatments when medical opinions and guidelines are rapidly changing?