A Recommended Downgrade: PRELIMINARY

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, History of Science, Nature of Science, Health, Medicine

Ed Hessler

This is about an announcement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: currently it is a draft guidance on the use of a daily aspirin to prevent heart disease.  Your physician/cardiologist is theperson to ask about what to do, especially when it becomes final. Don't rely on newspaper headlines which hint that we should do it now.

In a report from STAT, primary care physician John Wong who is a task force member, noted that "'Aspirin use can cause serious harms, and risk increases with age." What you should know is that "the guidance of the Task Force (has been) posted online for public comments" until November 8, after which a final decision will be made.

Dr. Wong made an astute comment about the back and forth nature of preventive medicine...of science.. It will leave some "patients frustrated and wondering why scientists can't make up their minds." To which he responded "'It's a fair question. What's really important to know is that evidence changes over time.'" (my emphasis) 

This is the nature of science.

The essay by A.P.'s Lindsey Tanner may be read here and includes some comments from  Dr. Wong and non-task force physicians other physicians as well as from patients.