I think what Pat said is only a slight exaggeration. It's just PR, just the party line.

I laugh too. Diagnosis and treatment often don't come until the symptoms and/or test findings are extremely obvious (if then), although many (or most) doctors no doubt try to treat serious symptoms that are affecting the patient's life.

It's telling that after six years of experience with doctors (previously I hardly ever saw them), I was very surprised when my new PCP (my fourth in six years) actually took the initiative to follow up on my cholesterol and blood pressure. All three previous PCPs had talked at the first appointment, said we will follow up, but never brought them up again.

Even such common, important, and perfectly objectively diagnosable problems as blood pressure and cholesterol can get ignored! So why not other diseases?

Nancy