4 ms·

"Every other treatment we use medically is aimed at some existing pathology—from a cold to cancer" Really? prenatal care, circumcisions, postnatal care, colon

"Every other treatment we use medically is aimed at some existing pathology—from a cold to cancer" Really? prenatal care, circumcisions, postnatal care, colonoscopies, x-rays, ultrasounds (to name a few) Are all preventative/diagnostic procedures that may not accompany a disease.

Nursie 6y ago
Several of those aren't treatments (colonoscopies, x-rays, ultrasounds don't actually aim to treat or change anything) and actually the whole statement could be considered tautological - Every treatment is aimed at an existing pathology, by definition, otherwise can we really call it a "treatment"? For what does it treat? Circumcision is not really preventative of anything much, it's a cultural thing at this point.
- maxerickson 6y ago
  Colonoscopies do create an opportunity for treatment, the removal of polyps. It's among the most effective anti-cancer interventions we have, so worth being clear that there is potential to benefit from treatment during a colonoscopy.
  - Nursie 6y ago
    Didn't mean to imply they weren't useful :)
- mgamache 6y ago
  Vaccines are not treatments ether if you want to be strict about the definition. You can't treat something you don't have, right? They are medical procedures that have a risk/benefit ratio.
TheAceOfHearts 6y ago
Circumcisions are unethical and offer no significant health benefits.
- mgamache 6y ago
  I think Circumcisions are questionable, but are offered as a medical procedure.
- thaway-201230 6y ago
  (throwaway for an apparent reason) As someone who had been suffering from persistent balanitis and phismosis for over a year until getting a Circumcision which magically fixed all my problems, I disagree vehemently.
thisiscorrect 6y ago
While I agree with the broader point you're making, circumcision is an odd addition to the list of preventative medical procedures. It may offer mild benefits for reducing transmission rates and infection time for STDs later in life, but it also comes with risks.
MauranKilom 6y ago
What you listed are examinations and diagnostics, not treatments.

Nursie 6y ago

Several of those aren't treatments (colonoscopies, x-rays, ultrasounds don't actually aim to treat or change anything) and actually the whole statement could be considered tautological - Every treatment is aimed at an existing pathology, by definition, otherwise can we really call it a "treatment"? For what does it treat? Circumcision is not really preventative of anything much, it's a cultural thing at this point.

maxerickson 6y ago
Colonoscopies do create an opportunity for treatment, the removal of polyps. It's among the most effective anti-cancer interventions we have, so worth being clear that there is potential to benefit from treatment during a colonoscopy.
- Nursie 6y ago
  Didn't mean to imply they weren't useful :)
mgamache 6y ago
Vaccines are not treatments ether if you want to be strict about the definition. You can't treat something you don't have, right? They are medical procedures that have a risk/benefit ratio.

TheAceOfHearts 6y ago

Circumcisions are unethical and offer no significant health benefits.

mgamache 6y ago
I think Circumcisions are questionable, but are offered as a medical procedure.
thaway-201230 6y ago
(throwaway for an apparent reason) As someone who had been suffering from persistent balanitis and phismosis for over a year until getting a Circumcision which magically fixed all my problems, I disagree vehemently.

thisiscorrect 6y ago

While I agree with the broader point you're making, circumcision is an odd addition to the list of preventative medical procedures. It may offer mild benefits for reducing transmission rates and infection time for STDs later in life, but it also comes with risks.

MauranKilom 6y ago

What you listed are examinations and diagnostics, not treatments.