Overdiagnosis

• Specifically, having flat feet was believed to predispose individuals to future pain and other musculoskeletal problems (i.e.
• Flat feet were believed to be a kind of time bomb.
• We demonstrate that the theory that having flat feet inevitably leads to pain or other musculoskeletal problems, is unfounded.

Where does this theory come from?

• This theory became central to the educational programs of health professionals.
• In fact, science has never validated the theory: it has remained at the hypothesis stage.
• Nevertheless, over the years up until the present, many health professionals have continued to support the theory that flat feet pose a major risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders.

Do flat feet cause musculoskeletal injuries?

• Furthermore, a systematic review and a meta-analysis concluded that runners with flat feet are no more at risk of injury than those with regular feet.
• These analyses call into question the idea that people with flat feet have a substantial risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.
• Unfortunately, this frequently results in people having unnecessary interventions, such as using orthopaedic shoes or custom-made foot orthoses for asymptomatic flat feet.

Setting the record straight

• Based on current scientific knowledge, assessing whether a person has flat feet to determine their risk of injury is ineffective and counterproductive.
• While it is possible for a person with flat feet to develop a musculoskeletal injury, this does not necessarily mean that flat feet caused the injury.
• It is quite possible for two variables to be present at the same time without there being a causal link.
• A cause-and-effect relationship implies that a change in one variable (the cause) leads to a change in another variable (the effect).

Reducing overdiagnosis in health care

• Reducing overdiagnosis in health care has become crucial.
• Since overdiagnosis often leads to overtreatment, avoiding unnecessary treatments will help to alleviate patients’ concerns about their flat feet.
• It’s time to change our perspective and our approach to the significance of flat feet and to recognize their natural diversity in the context of overall foot health.

Gabriel Moisan is a member of the Ordre des Podiatres du Québec (College of Podiatrists Québec). He has received funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the War Amps of Canada and the Réseau provincial de recherche en adaptation-réadaptation (REPAR).

• In the 1980s, companies co-opted messaging about female autonomy to encourage women’s consumption of unhealthy commodities, such as tobacco and alcohol.
• Today, feminist narratives around empowerment and women’s rights are being co-opted to market interventions that are not backed by evidence across many areas of women’s health.
• Some of these health technologies, tests and treatments are useful in certain situations and can be very beneficial to some women.

The AMH test

• The AMH test is a blood test associated with the number of eggs in a woman’s ovaries and is sometimes referred to as the “egg timer” test.
• Although often used in fertility treatment, the AMH test cannot reliably predict the likelihood of pregnancy, timing to pregnancy or specific age of menopause.

• Despite this, several fertility clinics and online companies market the AMH test to women not even trying to get pregnant.
• Some use feminist rhetoric promising empowerment, selling the test as a way to gain personalised insights into your fertility.
• 'Egg timer' tests can't reliably predict your chance of conceiving or menopause timing

  Our recent study found around 30% of women having an AMH test in Australia may be having it for these reasons.

Breast density notification

Breast density is one of several independent risk factors for breast cancer. It’s also harder to see cancer on a mammogram image of breasts with high amounts of dense tissue than breasts with a greater proportion of fatty tissue. While estimates vary, approximately 25–50% of women in the breast screening population have dense breasts.

• Stemming from valid concerns about the increased risk of cancer, advocacy efforts have used feminist language around women’s right to know such as “women need to know the truth” and “women can handle the truth” to argue for widespread breast density notification.
• Yet, there is no or little mention of the lack of robust evidence showing that it prevents breast cancer deaths.
• While stronger patient autonomy is vital, campaigning for breast density notification without stating the limitations or unclear evidence of benefit may go against the empowerment being sought.

Ensuring feminism isn’t hijacked

• But we need to ensure the goals of feminist health advocacy aren’t undermined through commercially driven use of feminist language pushing care that isn’t based on evidence.
• Health professionals and governments must also ensure that easily understood, balanced information based on high quality scientific evidence is available.

Brooke Nickel receives fellowship funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). She is on the Scientific Committee of the Preventing Overdiagnosis Conference. Tessa Copp receives fellowship funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). She is also on the Scientific Committee of the Preventing Overdiagnosis Conference.

• This strategic move reinforces Pearsanta’s dedication to enhancing patient outcomes through early disease detection and the power of precision diagnostics.
• The platform includes a rich biomarker portfolio addressing a wide range of high-priority health concerns beyond oncology, extending into areas of substantial medical need.
• Highlights from the asset portfolio include:
  The Mitomic Endometriosis Test (MET™) is in development as a blood-based assay for diagnosis of endometriosis.
• The overarching goal is to enhance clinical outcomes by offering non-invasive or minimally invasive testing at the early stages of disease progression.

• Cleveland Diagnostics, Inc. , a leading commercial-stage biotechnology company, is launching its inaugural Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign this September: ‘ A PSA on PSA.
• For every fact sheet download, Cleveland Diagnostics will make a donation to ZERO Prostate Cancer to fund research and other important support initiatives.
• During the month of September, donations will be doubled by Golf Fights Cancer in celebration of the awareness month.
• "By collaborating with Cleveland Diagnostics on the 'A PSA on PSA' campaign, we are empowering men to take charge of their prostate health.