Would Less Testing Make for Better Medical Care?

When it comes to cancer, the watchword has long been "early detection," routine testing for common forms of the disease. But the United States Preventative Services Task Force says testing for common cancers may do more harm than good, to men as well as to women. First it was mammograms for breast cancer; now it's the PSA test for cancer of the prostate gland. In both cases, there's been a powerful blacklash. We focus on the prostate findings, which some specialists say they plan to ignore. Are they afraid of lawsuits? Will patients demand early detection? Will insurance companies deny reimbursement? Will the findings cut the cost of health care by establishing a form of rationing?