Unnecessary Tests: ‘Prostate Ultrasound’
“No need for both CT and ultrasound together”
Essential Test: ‘Colonoscopy’
As the end of the year approaches and more people plan their health check-ups, a medical specialist has advised against opting for certain paid tests that are unnecessary in addition to the basic examination items.
On November 13th, Dr. Woo Chang-yoon, an internal medicine specialist at Seoul Asan Hospital, appeared on YTN Radio’s ‘Wise Radio Life’ to discuss health check-up items.
Dr. Woo explained, “Prostate ultrasound is often included in check-up packages, but prostate cancer is more sensitively detected with a blood test like the PSA test.” He added that the prostate ultrasound is typically used to measure size in cases of an enlarged prostate and that for detecting prostate cancer, a blood test is more appropriate, recommending that the ultrasound can be omitted from check-ups.
“No Need for Both CT and Ultrasound Unless There’s a Specific Purpose”
Dr. Woo also suggested that there is no need for both CT and ultrasound unless there is a specific reason. For example, for a mid-40s man, an abdominal ultrasound might be sufficient if overweight, but there’s no need for an abdominal CT. Typically, many cancers can be screened with chest and abdominal CTs and gastroscopy and colonoscopy according to Dr. Woo.
“MRI is Not Necessarily Recommended”
When asked if an MRI is essential, Dr. Woo answered, “No.” He explained that while MRIs are commonly used for brain scans, they are not used for cancer detection. The incidence of brain cancer in middle-aged groups is very low, so routine recommendations are not given, citing a lack of cost efficiency. However, since MRI does not involve radiation exposure, it is safe, and an individual might consider one if personally concerned.
Essential Test: ‘This One’
So, which examinations are necessary? Dr. Woo recommended a ‘colonoscopy.’ He mentioned that according to national guidelines, stomach cancer screenings should start at age 40 and colon cancer at age 50. However, with the recent increase in young-onset colon cancer, symptoms like bleeding, changes in bowel habits, or discomfort should prompt a check-up. Young people are more likely to have polyps, which can develop into colon cancer over time, and a colonoscopy can identify and remove these. Korea offers affordable and accessible colonoscopies, making them highly recommended.
Meanwhile, the National Health Insurance Service has warned of increasing cases of fraudulent messages posing as the Service. These messages might include phrases like ‘completion of health checkup report dispatch,’ accompanied by a URL. Clicking the link could infect the mobile device with malware, leading to personal and financial information leaks, and caution is advised.