On the contrary, they can even cause harm, says general practitioner and researcher Minna Johansson at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg to Sveriges Radio's Science News.
15 years ago, it was unusual, but now it happens very often that they contact us because they don't know what to do with the result, she says to Science News.
Most often, an abnormal result has no significance at all for a healthy person. But those who get an abnormal result often seek out regular healthcare for follow-up examinations, such as sampling and X-rays. And that can, in the worst case, harm the person, according to Minna Johansson.
Moreover, it pushes aside care for other patients.
When a person contacts me with these tests and I have to spend time explaining and maybe taking follow-up samples, then other patients are left without care, says Minna Johansson.
