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For the first time in my life, I have hit my deductible AND reached my out-of-pocket maximum. I now have three months of actual free healthcare, which is unheard of in the US. What should I get done? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Reverendender@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Biologically male procedures only. EDIT: If the two people who downvoted this question could explain their reasoning, I would be super interested. No judgements. This is a safe space!

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[–] sorrybookbroke@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Huh, I'm always happy to proven wrong. thank you for bringing this up.

Is this still relevant however with blood testing becoming more prevelant? The main reasons listed are due to harms caused by probing both physical and psychological along with false positives which out-weigh the positives of a 0.128% life saving outcome. It's been 6, nearly 7 years now and prostate testing is both more accurate and non-invasive

Either way, this body is currently in the final research plan stage of updating the recommendation.
https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-update-summary/prostate-cancer-screening-adults
I'd agree we should stand by the current assessment though until it changes. Thank you for the correction

[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 3 points 2 months ago

There are primarily 2 stool tests available today, one has significant false positives, the other doesn't.

I forget the names, or I'd send you a link. It's been about a year since I looked it up. I know my insurance uses the more accurate one, fortunately.

[–] evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I have no clue, it's just something I've read about a little. It's definitely not my area of expertise, so take this with a grain of salt.

From what I understand, prostate cancer is usually very slow, and it's possible to have a little spot of it for years that doesn't affect you. For some people, the right answer to finding a prostate tumor is to just monitor it, but obviously, people freak out when they have cancer, and want treatment. Cancer treatments are all no joke, so it seems that you could sacrifice a lot to treat something that would have just chilled there not hurting you.

I have no clue about the blood tests. If it's like a "yes or no" for prostate cancer, it might have that same disadvantage. If it tells the Dr something more like type of prostate cancer or growth, it's a different story.

[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 3 points 2 months ago

Not sure if your link is the same as I've read, but yes, the thing with prostate cancer is that treatment doesn't seem to change the outcome.

This is most likely because it usually doesn't develop until mid-50's or later, and grows so slowly that it doesn't have time to kill you.

I think the concern would be it occurring in younger ages, or it growing faster than typical.

So test and monitor is likely a good thing, treatment shouldn't be a given, unless there are clear signs.