Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary Screening tests look for potential health problems before symptoms appear. Often, the earlier a disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that it can be cured or successfully managed. When you treat a disease early, you may be able to prevent or delay problems from the disease. Treating the disease early may also make the disease easier to live with. Screening tests can cause harm. Harm can come from: Commercial screening tests are offered by private companies. The company usually sells a package of tests based on your answers to questions about your age, weight, smoking history, health problems, and other issues. The company may have a doctor you can talk to about the tests. But this is not the same as going to your own doctor who knows your health history. Commercial bundles often include: You may see offers for these packages in local newspapers or on the Internet. They may be offered at health fairs, places of worship, malls, and fitness centers. A local hospital or group of doctors may sponsor an event where the tests are offered. No. Not all tests may be right for you. Experts look at research on how well screening tests work. They also look at how a test may help you, whether the test may lead to more tests and treatment, and whether there are any risks or problems with the test. Then they recommend tests based on your age, your gender, your overall health, the cost of testing, and your risk factors. Risk factors are things that make getting a disease more likely. Many screening tests are not needed unless you have risk factors. There are some important differences between commercial screening tests and tests a doctor may order. When you work with a doctor, the two of you can talk about the test in advance. This may not be possible when you buy a commercial package. With a doctor, you can ask: When you work with a doctor, the doctor gets the test results. You will be able to ask questions and talk about the results. You'll be able to ask about next steps. You may be able to take steps to prevent a disease or ask about more testing or treatment. How you get the results from a commercial package varies. The results may come to you and not to a doctor. A doctor with the company may talk about them with you. You may have to contact a doctor to talk about the results. And you can't be sure that the person who looked at the results was the best person to review them. If you do talk to a doctor, they won't know your health history. This doctor will not be able to order more tests or treat you. You'll need to find your own doctor for that. With a commercial package, you may not get copies of your medical images, such as X-rays or MRIs, or you may get copies only if they are abnormal. If you don't get copies, you will not have a record of the test. This means you may need to retake the test in the future. And another doctor won't have an earlier image to compare with images you may get in the future. Talk to your insurance provider to see if they pay for commercial screening. Because tests in commercial packages may not be recommended by expert guidelines, the tests may not be covered. Commercial packages often appear to be a good value. You get a lot of screenings for a low price. But you may be paying for tests that you don't need. Commercial screenings often include tests that most people don't need or that very few people need. For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not always recommend screening for: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I saw an ad about buying a number of screening tests for one low price. I called a number to talk about it. I wanted to know more about the tests and whether they were right for me. The person on the phone really couldn't help me. Then I called my doctor. She said screening could be a good idea, but that it was important to talk it over and see what I really needed. I'm going to see her to talk about this next week. Max, age 58 I understand that a commercial screening gives me tests that I may not really need. But I really want to know everything that is going on in my body. So I'm going to get a commercial package. If I have questions or a test shows something, I'll talk to my doctor about it. Ruth, age 66 I was on the Internet and saw a website for a company that offered screening packages. I checked into it. A lot of the tests they suggested I don't need at my age, or the tests are something a visit to a clinic could take care of. It sounds like a good deal, but actually I'd be paying for a lot I don't need. Carlos, age 48 I really like the idea of getting screening tests that I need at one time and at one place. This will save me a lot of time. But I know I don't need all of the screenings offered in a package. I'm going to call the company and ask about the three screenings I know I really need. Maybe I can get them for a good price. Cindy, age 62 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to use commercial screening Reasons not to use commercial screening I don't have a family doctor or insurance. I have a family doctor and insurance. I like the idea of getting a lot of tests at one time and in one place. It's very important that I talk things over with a doctor, even if it's not convenient. A screening package sounds like a good value. I only want to pay for tests that I really need. It does not bother me that I might not have the test results explained to me. I want my doctor to explain the results to me and answer my questions. I want to get all the tests available, even if I may not need some of them. I don't like the idea of getting tests that I don't need. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Buying a commercial screening package NOT buying a commercial screening package Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Screening tests look for potential health problems before symptoms appear. Often, the earlier a disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that it can be cured or successfully managed. When you treat a disease early, you may be able to prevent or delay problems from the disease. Treating the disease early may also make the disease easier to live with. Screening tests can cause harm. Harm can come from: Commercial screening tests are offered by private companies. The company usually sells a package of tests based on your answers to questions about your age, weight, smoking history, health problems, and other issues. The company may have a doctor you can talk to about the tests. But this is not the same as going to your own doctor who knows your health history. Commercial bundles often include: You may see offers for these packages in local newspapers or on the Internet. They may be offered at health fairs, places of worship, malls, and fitness centers. A local hospital or group of doctors may sponsor an event where the tests are offered. No. Not all tests may be right for you. Experts look at research on how well screening tests work. They also look at how a test may help you, whether the test may lead to more tests and treatment, and whether there are any risks or problems with the test. Then they recommend tests based on your age, your gender, your overall health, the cost of testing, and your risk factors. Risk factors are things that make getting a disease more likely. Many screening tests are not needed unless you have risk factors. There are some important differences between commercial screening tests and tests a doctor may order. When you work with a doctor, the two of you can talk about the test in advance. This may not be possible when you buy a commercial package. With a doctor, you can ask: When you work with a doctor, the doctor gets the test results. You will be able to ask questions and talk about the results. You'll be able to ask about next steps. You may be able to take steps to prevent a disease or ask about more testing or treatment. How you get the results from a commercial package varies. The results may come to you and not to a doctor. A doctor with the company may talk about them with you. You may have to contact a doctor to talk about the results. And you can't be sure that the person who looked at the results was the best person to review them. If you do talk to a doctor, they won't know your health history. This doctor will not be able to order more tests or treat you. You'll need to find your own doctor for that. With a commercial package, you may not get copies of your medical images, such as X-rays or MRIs, or you may get copies only if they are abnormal. If you don't get copies, you will not have a record of the test. This means you may need to retake the test in the future. And another doctor won't have an earlier image to compare with images you may get in the future. Talk to your insurance provider to see if they pay for commercial screening. Because tests in commercial packages may not be recommended by expert guidelines, the tests may not be covered. Commercial packages often appear to be a good value. You get a lot of screenings for a low price. But you may be paying for tests that you don't need. Commercial screenings often include tests that most people don't need or that very few people need. For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not always recommend screening for: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I saw an ad about buying a number of screening tests for one low price. I called a number to talk about it. I wanted to know more about the tests and whether they were right for me. The person on the phone really couldn't help me. Then I called my doctor. She said screening could be a good idea, but that it was important to talk it over and see what I really needed. I'm going to see her to talk about this next week." — Max, age 58 "I understand that a commercial screening gives me tests that I may not really need. But I really want to know everything that is going on in my body. So I'm going to get a commercial package. If I have questions or a test shows something, I'll talk to my doctor about it." — Ruth, age 66 "I was on the Internet and saw a website for a company that offered screening packages. I checked into it. A lot of the tests they suggested I don't need at my age, or the tests are something a visit to a clinic could take care of. It sounds like a good deal, but actually I'd be paying for a lot I don't need." — Carlos, age 48 "I really like the idea of getting screening tests that I need at one time and at one place. This will save me a lot of time. But I know I don't need all of the screenings offered in a package. I'm going to call the company and ask about the three screenings I know I really need. Maybe I can get them for a good price." — Cindy, age 62 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to use commercial screening Reasons not to use commercial screening I don't have a family doctor or insurance. I have a family doctor and insurance. I like the idea of getting a lot of tests at one time and in one place. It's very important that I talk things over with a doctor, even if it's not convenient. A screening package sounds like a good value. I only want to pay for tests that I really need. It does not bother me that I might not have the test results explained to me. I want my doctor to explain the results to me and answer my questions. I want to get all the tests available, even if I may not need some of them. I don't like the idea of getting tests that I don't need. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Buying a commercial screening package NOT buying a commercial screening package 1.
Do you need to have all the screening tests there are? 2.
It's helpful to talk to a doctor about screening tests before I get them. 3.
If I have an abnormal result, I'll have to get more tests or treatment. 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: October 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardHealth Screenings: Should I Buy Commercial Tests?
Health Screenings: Should I Buy Commercial Tests?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are screening tests?
Can screening tests cause problems?
What are commercial screening tests?
Are all screening tests needed?
What are the differences between commercial screening tests and those you get from a doctor?
Learning about the disease and the test
Getting your test results
Who pays for commercial screening?
What are some tests that it's best to talk to your doctor about?
Compare your options
Personal stories about deciding whether to buy a commercial screening package
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Health Screenings: Should I Buy Commercial Tests?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are screening tests?
Can screening tests cause problems?
What are commercial screening tests?
Are all screening tests needed?
What are the differences between commercial screening tests and those you get from a doctor?
Learning about the disease and the test
Getting your test results
Who pays for commercial screening?
What are some tests that it's best to talk to your doctor about?
2. Compare your options
Buy a commercial screening package Don't buy a commercial screening package What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about deciding whether to buy a commercial screening package
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Buy a commercial screening package Buy a commercial screening package
Don't buy a commercial screening package Don't buy a commercial screening package
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You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
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That's right. Whether you need a test depends on your age, gender, and health, and the types of treatment available for the disease you're getting tested for.
That's right. It's best to learn whether you really need the test. You can also ask how the test may help you, whether the test may lead to more tests and treatment, and whether there are any risks or problems the test might cause. You can also ask what you can do if the result shows a problem.
That's right. Sometimes an abnormal result is not right. Or the result may not be something to worry about. It's important to talk with a doctor about what abnormal results mean.
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Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits
References
Citations