3 medical routines that older people may not need

Key Points:

• Recent research suggests that the benefits of repeat colonoscopies after age 75 are minimal, with increased risks such as bleeding and complications from discontinuing blood thinners for some patients.
• Actinic keratoses, common skin lesions in older adults, rarely progress to cancer, and treatments can be painful and burdensome; experts recommend active surveillance rather than routine removal.
• Many older adults with subclinical hypothyroidism may safely discontinue levothyroxine under medical supervision, as it often provides no clear benefit and carries risks like cardiac arrhythmias and bone loss.
• Colonoscopy screening in patients over 75 shows very low colon cancer mortality benefits, with higher risks of complications and limited impact on longevity, leading some doctors to recommend stopping routine screenings in this age group.
• Despite evidence, many older patients and doctors continue screenings and treatments beyond recommended ages due to established medical norms and patient preferences, though some patients welcome the option to forgo unnecessary procedures.