These 10 Medical Treatments Are Often Not Needed

 A recent study on medical care in the United States has put forward 10 diagnostic procedures and treatments that were overused during 2016. The aim of the study was to highlight ways that the medical system could be made more efficient and effective.

While doctors do an amazing job with limited resources, sometimes trying to strike a balance between time and costs means pills and procedures get prescribed to patients when they don’t really require them. 

The team that carried out this study went through journal articles in the PubMed archive, using search terms such as over-treatment, inappropriate, unnecessary, and overuse. They looked at 2,252 papers, of which 1,224 addressed the overuse of medicine directly. The researchers then agreed on the following top ten.

1. Transesophageal Echocardiography 

 

This ultrasound procedure takes pictures of your heart by inserting a tube into your esophagus. A doctor might use this instead of an electrocardiogram, but research suggests that any extra detail it might provide isn’t worth the risk of being sedated.

2. Computed Tomography Pulmonary 

Angiography This is a diagnostic test that uses a CT scan to provide images of pulmonary arteries in patients suffering from respiratory problems. It’s non-invasive, but it hits the patient with a dose of radiation. Furthermore, waiting for the results can increase the risk of complications developing.

3. Computed Tomography in Any Patients with Respiratory Symptoms 

Any type of CT scan in a patient with non-life threatening respiratory symptoms does little to improve a patient’s outcome. To add to this, these scans raise the risk of false positives, where the test indicates a non-existent pathology. 

4. Carotid Artery Ultrasonography and Stenting
Carotid ultrasounds test the width of arteries in the neck to determine the patient’s risk of having a stroke. Early diagnosis could save someone’s life, but the researchers found that 9 out of 10 tests carried out on asymptomatic patients led to an artery-widening stent being unnecessarily inserted. 

5. Aggressive Management of Prostate Cancer 

Prostate cancer is a condition that can be treated easily if found early. A blood test that searches for markers called prostate antigens can do that, but it’s hard to tell if they’re produced by an aggressive tumor that needs to be dealt with quickly or a slow-growing one that the patient can take to their grave. 

6. Supplemental Oxygen for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 

Giving more oxygen to those with COPD didn’t make their lungs work better or improve their health. However, it can cause them to retain carbon dioxide in their body, which isn’t good. 

7. Surgery for Meniscal Cartilage Tears 

Tearing the shock-absorbing discs of cartilage inside your knee is a serious issue, but getting it repaired surgically was found to have few benefits that couldn’t be achieved through conservative rehabilitation and management.

8. Nutritional Support in Medical Inpatients
Malnutrition doesn’t do a patient any good, but, on the other hand, giving nutritional support to critically ill patients seems to make no difference in terms of hospital stays or mortality. 

9. Use of Antibiotics 

A 2016 study found that, between 2011 and 2016, 506 prescriptions were being written for every 1000 people. Out of these 506 prescriptions, only 353 could be considered appropriate. The CDC aims to reduce inappropriate outpatient antibiotic use by 50% within the next couple of years. This will help to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. 

10. Use of Cardiac Imaging 

Cardiac imaging for patients with chest pain has tripled over the last decade, while doing nothing for low-risk patients. This leads to unnecessary hospital stays and interventions. Therefore, according to the researchers, doctors should share their decision-making with their patients.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Reshaping Prostate Cancer Therapies with Biomarker-Driven Strategies

 TARGETED treatments for prostate cancer were a central theme at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025, where speakers highlighted how advances in biomarker-driven approaches are reshaping patient management across the metastatic disease spectrum. Two presentations in particular, one on overcoming resistance through next-generation androgen receptor (AR) targeting, and another on exploiting vulnerabilities in homologous recombination repair (HRR), revealed both the opportunities and ongoing challenges of tailoring therapy based on tumour biology, from decoding AR alterations to expanding the role of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition.

TARGETING ANDROGEN RECEPTOR ALTERATIONS

Alice Bernard-Tessier, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France, gave an insightful overview of the evolving landscape of targeting AR alterations in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Her talk highlighted the importance of the AR axis in prostate cancer pathology, and the clinical complexity of overcoming resistance driven by AR pathway reactivation.

Bernard-Tessier explained that AR alterations are the most frequent genomic events that occur in mCRPC, and that they accumulate as the disease progresses under the selective pressure of AR-targeted therapies. Describing the role of the androgen receptor as both a problem and a solution, Bernard-Tessier explained that, although AR alterations are well established as prognostic markers, they have not yet consistently demonstrated predictive value for treatment selection. She outlined the three main classes of AR alterations: amplification, splicing variants, and mutations, explaining that each have different prevalences and prognostic implications. AR amplification is common (present in 40–60% of patients), and is associated with worse prognosis. Splicing variants, particularly AR-V7, are also prognostic, and emerging evidence suggests that their presence may predict greater efficacy of chemotherapy compared to AR pathway inhibitors. AR mutations increase in frequency with cumulative AR-directed treatment exposure, and are likewise associated with poorer outcomes. These alterations have been known about for decades, Bernard-Tessier revealed, yet developing targeted agents remains an ongoing challenge. Challenges in Targeting Androgen Receptor Alterations

Bernard-Tessier described the challenges in translating the biological understanding of AR alterations into therapeutic success. Several targeted approaches have failed to progress, including galeterone, a CYP17 inhibitor evaluated in patients with AR-V7-positive mCRPC, which was terminated early due to a high screening failure and early dropout. Additionally, third-generation AR antagonists, including compounds designed to more effectively inhibit the ligand-binding domain, have failed to demonstrate efficacy in patients who have experienced disease progression on an AR pathway inhibitor.

Emergence of Androgen Receptor Degraders

In contrast, AR degraders have recently emerged as a promising therapeutic avenue. Bernard-Tessier highlighted BMS-986365, a novel drug candidate that is a dual AR degrader and antagonist capable of inducing AR degradation while retaining antagonistic activity.⁸ In an early-phase trial in patients with heavily pre-treated mCRPC, progression-free survival responses in both AR-wild-type and AR-mutant disease were achieved, with particularly notable activity in the mutant subgroup. Among patients with AR mutations, prostate-specific antigen ≥50% was achieved in 55% of patients, with a median progression-free survival of 8 months. A similar pattern was observed with the AR degrader ARV-766, in which prostate-specific antigen ≥50% was achieved in 43% of patients with AR ligand-binding-domain mutant tumours.⁹ Why AR degraders demonstrate enhanced activity in mutant disease remains under investigation, Bernard-Tessier explained, but hypotheses include increased binding affinity and a heightened dependency of mutated tumours on AR signalling. Despite this promising research, Bernard-Tessier emphasised that toxicity associated with AR degraders remains an important consideration, with common side effects including gastrointestinal adverse events and prolonged QT on ECGs.^8,9

Ongoing Research

Looking ahead, Bernard-Tessier explained that most upcoming trials have not been designed to target AR alterations specifically. Instead, for some of them, AR mutations are a stratification biomarker, and for others, they are “not even part of the pre-plan analysis.” On reflection, she stated that we are still a long way from achieving precision medicine in this space. Advancing precision medicine will require more refined biomarkers and better detection methods. She highlighted circulating tumour DNA as a promising biomarker technique, although optimal timing and reimbursement remain unresolved challenges.

EXPLOITING HOMOLOGOUS RECOMBINATION WITH POLY (ADP-RIBOSE) POLYMERASE THERAPY

In the next session, the spotlight fell on HRR alterations and the rapidly evolving role of PARP inhibitors across the prostate cancer continuum. Neeraj Agarwal, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, USA, began by establishing the prevalence of HRR alterations, noting that around 12% of men with metastatic prostate cancer carry germline pathogenic variants.¹⁰ His own large somatic sequencing study, conducted with Foundation Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and involving more than 3,400 patients, identified HRR alterations in roughly 25% of tumours,¹¹ emphasising the clinical importance of this population and the urgent need to expand genomic testing.

Evidence from Key Trials

Agarwal then outlined how PARP inhibitors (drugs that target DNA-repair defects) entered the mCRPC landscape. He highlighted a Phase II trial that was the first prospective evidence of their efficacy in this setting, whereby patients demonstrated radiographic progression-free survival and overall survival.¹² He then moved on to the pivotal Phase III PROfound and TRITON3 trials, explaining that both olaparib and rucaparib significantly improved radiographic progression-free survival compared with alternate AR pathway inhibitors, with TRITON3 also showing superiority over docetaxel.^13,14 The PROfound trial, he emphasised, demonstrated an overall survival benefit despite a 67% crossover rate from the control arm. These findings led to regulatory approvals for both agents in patients with mCRPC and HRR alterations.

Next, Agarwal devoted much of his session to combination strategies, explaining the rationale behind this approach being that AR inhibition appears to upregulate PARP activity, while PARP inhibition suppresses AR signalling. He explained that the link between these pathways inspired the PROpel, MAGNITUDE, and TALAPRO-2 trials.^15-17 Although their designs differed, ranging from all-comer cohorts to strictly biomarker-selected populations, and they involved different PARP inhibitors, all three trials showed substantial reductions in the risk of progression when a PARP inhibitor was added to an AR pathway inhibitor. The most significant effects were seen in BRCA1/2-mutated tumours, where PROpel and TALAPRO-2 demonstrated risk reductions of up to 80% for risk of progression or death. In TALAPRO-2, Agarwal added, for patients with HRR-altered mCRPC, enzalutamide plus talazoparib reduced the risk of death by 40%, extending median survival from around 31 months to 45 months. He described the data as “striking, with an unprecedented survival benefit.”

Sequencing versus Upfront Combination

On the question of sequencing versus upfront combination, Agarwal acknowledged the absence of direct comparative trials to answer this question, but pointed to the Phase II BRCAAway study for insight.¹⁸ In this study, sequential therapy yielded combined progression-free survivals of about 16 months, whereas upfront abiraterone plus olaparib extended this to 39 months. Although the trial was small, he described the difference as convincing. He also highlighted high attrition rates as a reason to use upfront combination, as real-world data show that fewer than half of patients proceed to second-line therapy.¹⁹ “If we don’t combine upfront, we lose half the patients to prostate cancer,” Agarwal said. Looking ahead, he described emerging data in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, which are expected to further define the role of these agents earlier in the disease course. Agarwal closed with a call to action, stressing that the advantages of PARP inhibition can only be realised through broader adoption of genomic testing. “It is unacceptable that NGS testing happened in fewer than 30% of patients in the USA in 2023,” he said, urging clinicians to improve identification of biomarker-eligible patients and maximise benefits.

IN SUMMARY

Together, the presentations by Bernard-Tessier and Agarwal illustrated the expanding possibilities of biomarker-guided therapy in prostate cancer while highlighting persistent gaps in precision implementation. Both speakers emphasised that therapeutic innovation must go hand-in-hand with better biomarker detection. As the field moves towards next-generation AR degraders, earlier PARP inhibitor use, and more refined genomic stratification, the future of prostate cancer therapy will increasingly depend on integrating biological insights into routine clinical decision-making.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

 

Mallow: A Wonder-Plant with Amazing Health Benefits

   

While many aren’t familiar with the mallow plant family which includes the marshmallow, musk mallow, common mallow and high mallow, they should be, as they offer many therapeutic properties. In this article we'll delve deeper into the high mallow, also known as Malva sylvestris. High Mallow is among the more nutritious and healthy plants and if you are considering incorporating it into your diet, you should know that it is tasty, healthy and full of medicinal properties and anti-inflammatory ingredients. To enjoy its qualities, read our guide to mallow's health benefits and some wonderful bonus recipes that make use of this delicious plant.

A little about mallow 

The mallow plant blooms between January and April and is at its peak after the rainy season, which causes the leaves to go soft and get a deeper taste. Since the flavor of mallow resembles the taste of spinach, you can swap almost any recipe with spinach or chard with an equal amount of mallow. You can use and eat the various parts of the plant: stalk, leaves, and fruit and add them to countless dishes. 

 

As already mentioned, mallow has many health and nutritional benefits and is considered in alternative and Chinese medicine to be very effective in treating a variety of problems and diseases. The plant is rich in protein, iron, minerals, and vitamins B, A and C, and also contains the antioxidants polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids that fight free radicals in the body. In order to benefit from the healing benefits of mallow, it is recommended that you consume the plant extract as an infusion. 

 

Health Benefits of Mallow:

Treats a cough, phlegm, difficulty breathing, asthma and bronchitis 

 

Mallow contains polysaccharides with antiviral and antiseptic properties that help treat respiratory disorders and a chronic dry cough. The active ingredients of the plant help to remove mucus from the throat and have a calming effect in addition to their ability to treat asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other respiratory diseases. The German Food and Drug Administration has officially confirmed the healing properties of the plant and has approved the use of the drugs containing mallow for the treatment of a sore throat and a dry cough.

Treats infections, skin sores, and burns 

 

The anti-inflammatory components of mallow are effective in treating a variety of skin problems. The plant is used to soothe rashes, wounds, burns, insect bites and eczema, since the polysaccharides, which nourish and soothe the skin, are also slightly anesthetic. If you suffer from dry, irritated skin affected by weather, rubbing mallow extract infusion on your skin will soften and moisturize it naturally. To soothe redness, swelling, and tingling, apply the mallow extract tea directly to the irritated area, or to use a cloth soaked in the plant’s sap. 

Protects the gums from infections  

 

The mallow leaves contain antibacterial and anti-inflammatory components that protect the gums and oral cavity from diseases and infection. The polyphenols present in the plant prevent the development of bacterial plaque by their ability to fight free radicals. Those of us who suffer from inflamed gums know that this is a disturbing and recurring phenomenon that affects our quality of life and many people find it difficult to find a permanent solution. Using mallow tea as a mouthwash may be a natural and effective way to treat the health of your oral cavity regularly. 

 

Relieves constipation and irritable stomach 

 

The mallow’s polysaccharide mucilages cause relaxation and lubrication of the intestinal walls and better absorption of food. This substance also helps to reduce gastric acidity which causes stomach discomfort. Eating mallow or consuming the plant as a tea infusion helps people who suffer from constipation, irritable stomach, and intestinal cramps and need a soothing supplement. In addition, the mallow is considered a laxative plant and is used in a variety of dietary supplements to relax and calm the stomach. 

 

Treatment of kidney stones and urinary tract infections 

 

Many people use cranberry juice as a means of reducing burning sensations, frequency, and urgency in urination and pain in the lower abdomen, but it is far from being the only natural remedy for this problem. The mallow plant is an excellent alternative to treating such problems because it has an anti-inflammatory component that helps in the healing of such infections. Mallow has another important feature in this context - it is a diuretic that helps clean up waste from the kidneys and prevents the development of stones in them.

Anti-aging properties and its use in natural cosmetics  

 

The use of home masks and facial creams that contain mallow plant extract are effective for the treatment of premature aging of the skin. Cosmetic companies use plant extracts in various cosmetic products such as soaps, makeup, and skincare products. The reason for this is that mallow is rich in components that fight free radicals which damage our skin cells and cause wrinkles. In addition, vitamin A gives the skin a radiant and younger look. It is also effective for hair care and is recommended for use in people with fragile hair. Applying moisturizing essences or infusions to the skin can contribute greatly to its health and restore its elasticity and strength. 

 

Prevents prostate cancer and strengthens the immune system 

 

Like other leafy greens, mallow is rich in chlorophyll, a green, anti-carcinogenic pigment that cleans our internal organs. Beyond its ability to prevent various types of cancer, it is particularly effective in preventing and healing prostate cancer. Researchers who studied the mallow plant discovered a substance called beta-sitosterol, which is known for its ability to prevent tumors in the prostate gland. The plant can be used as a preventative measure for people at risk of developing this cancer. 

 

Beta-sitosterol is a substance that also helps the white blood cells function in our immune system, which are necessary for fighting various diseases. This means that consuming the mallow plant contributes greatly to cancer patients undergoing immunosuppressant therapies. In a study that examined the use of mallow for prostate cancer patients who had radiotherapy and had pain during urination, researchers found that the plant significantly reduced patient pain. Even people who do not have a chronic disease can benefit from strengthening the immune system using the herb, but it is important to do so only after consulting a healthcare professional.

Treats Insomnia 

 

Mallow plant extract can be found in a variety of numbing, insomnia, anxiety and stress medications, and even in the anesthetics that dentists use. The various components of the plant help calm the nervous system and promote a sense of peace and relaxation. A 2013 study also demonstrated the efficacy of mallow extract in the treatment of sleep disorders compared to the use of a drug similar to valium. If you suffer from sleep disorders and find it difficult to fall asleep at night, it is time to go out outdoors and pick yourself some mallow to solve the problem. You can drink mallow tea before bedtime, or use the oil extracted from the plant.

For recipes using mallow leaves and flowers, kindly see my recipe blog.

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs