vrdiver wrote:Bouleversee wrote:Well, I am over 74 and I really don't understand why it should stop at that age, not that I remember getting any before I reached 74. What is the rationale behind that other than they want you to drop off the perch at that point? I didn't have much wrong with me before then other than accidental damage and I think that what is wrong with me now could probably have been avoided with simple blood tests. Prevention is a heck of a lot cheaper than cure, which may not be available if found too late.
I'd love to be able to answer that, but have no logical answer other than the one you imply (i.e. cost saving over life quality and/or quantity). I need to try my own GP's approach to this, as I'm in the right age bracket (previously employee health insurance covered similar tests); just a case of waiting for the Covid-19 situation to dissipate first, as I can't imagine this being a priority in normal times, let alone currently
I suppose statistically the older you get the more likely it is that they'll find something wrong if they go looking for it. But also statistically there's a fair chance that some hidden condition isn't actually going to harm or kill you (because something else gets you first, to be blunt!).
So on balance the quality of life might be reduced if they start some invasive treatment, rather than not looking for a condition in the first place.
And of course they save money by not doing it too.
Scott.