Letters to the Editor: I’d prefer medical screening to a funeral

'Anxiety comes with not knowing what’s wrong with our bodies. I will go for my scan, they will say “sure it’s grand” and my anxiety will go away. If, on the other hand, my scan shows an issue, my GP and I will make a plan to manage or fix the issue and, like magic, my anxiety will disappear.' File picture

In response to the opinion piece by GP Mike Thompson, my blood pressure has actually gone up.

Later this morning, I will actually be attending my own GP practice to discuss fiddling around with the medication I use to control my hypertension. Elevated blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it frequently has no noticeable symptoms and can cause serious damage to vital organs. It could kill me so I think it’s worth respecting as there is some slight organ damage.

I have been with that practice for more than 30 years and I like to think we have grown up together. I will be insisting on some further diagnostics to determine what the next course of action, if any, may be required.

The article states: “Over-screening and over-testing fuel patient anxiety and divert resources from those who need it most.”

I’m here wondering if Dr Thompson would see me as an imminent danger to the Irish health system and I want to apologise now if patients like me cause him any anxiety.

Anxiety comes with not knowing what’s wrong with our bodies. I will go for my scan, they will say “sure it’s grand” and my anxiety will go away. If, on the other hand, my scan shows an issue, my GP and I will make a plan to manage or fix the issue and, like magic, my anxiety will disappear.

Dr Thompson states: “GPs act as gatekeepers to secondary care and the balance between vigilance and restraint is delicate.” I don’t need a gatekeeper who will ration healthcare based on what mood they are in.

In his article, Dr Thompson mentions prostate screening and mammograms.

According to the Irish Cancer Society “about 4,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Ireland. This means that one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime” and “each year in Ireland, almost 3,600 women and approximately 30 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. It is more common in women over 50, but it can affect younger women too.”

While I fully understand his false positive/ negative argument that is not a reason for not screening. I would rather be viewed by Dr Thompson as a drain on scarce resources than viewed in a funeral home by sympathisers at my funeral.

My own brother died at 38, he went in to a diabetic coma and slipped away. A diagnosis of pre-diabetes means you have a fighting chance to manage it and you, unlike my brother, might even see your children grow up. Getting checked does not make you a time-waster it makes you a responsible human being who takes disease prevention seriously.

He is concerned with “expanded and lowered definitions for disorders or diseases”. ADHD would not have even been considered in girls 30 years ago.

It is a disorder that, without proper identification, treatment and management, can have serious and long-lasting consequences and/or complications for an individual.

If, as an adult, you feel ADHD has been the cause of difficulties throughout your life, fight the ‘gate-keepers’ and get an assessment.

If you suspect your child may have ADHD, fight the gate-keepers and get them the help your child needs.

Report after report points to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) being a dysfunctional organisation. It appears to be underfunded, mismanaged and understaffed. .

It might be better use of Dr Thompson’s time to advocate for better Camhs, instead of pitting parents against each other.

I’m sorry Dr Thompson has to work in the dysfunctional Irish health care system. From where I stand, medics in Ireland are absolutely overworked and undervalued. But the patient did not cause that and doctors are not the gatekeepers to health care.

Perhaps Dr Thompson should look at the cause of the malaise in Irish health care next time.

Noreen Murphy, Ballyvolane, Cork

Bono on Gaza

The commentary on U2’s, and in particular Bono’s, reactions to the situation in Gaza, deserves a reaction.

There is little doubt that Bono has been active in providing aid to underdeveloped countries, especially in Africa. Practical, targeted support is critical.

However the decision by Trump’s government to, effectively, withdraw from funding aid, needs a proper reaction from high profile activists such as Bono.

If his comment on the situation in Gaza is, as has been noted, based on not upsetting Mr Trump, it is a pathetic failure.

If Mr Trump stopped supplying weaponry to Israel it would be the proper reaction. Bono should illustrate his reaction properly.

Barry Mahon, Kilmoon, Sherkin Island

Eating disorders

It makes for stark reading, your article on children with eating disorders.

Eating disorders are complex medical conditions that not only affect the young person concerned but also their loved ones, family and friends. It strikes me that wraparound care is essential, requiring an increase in investment at a national level.

Not every treatment will work successfully for every person that presents at a hospital, or is diagnosed with an eating disorder.

If any reader, or professional working with young people wants an insight into this issue, I strongly recommend Evanna Lynch’s memoir, The Opposite of Butterfly Hunting. It is a harrowing, haunting, honest and unflinching account and yet, a beautifully crafted read that reflects the author’s own journey with and ultimately overcoming an eating disorder.

Let us hope that these numbers do not continue to rise.

Stephen O’Hara, Carrowmore, Sligo

No need to worry

I was glad to read Esther McCarthy’s column — Signing up to the We Do Not Care Club — as it reminded me of a club my mother, wise beyond her years, and even wiser again now she has those years, signed me up to many moons ago, the ‘Don’t You Have More Important Things to Be Worried About’ club.

When it comes to matters such as whether your outfit is actually suitable for the occasion (or worse, suitable for your body); comments on a lack of de-hairification while being seen in public, or the infamous ‘are you sure you should be having that drink?’ — this club’s advice is a roll of the eyes, a shake of the head accompanied by a fully justified sigh, while uttering ‘don’t you have more important things to be worried about?’. Then you do have that drink — it being even more necessary having have been annoyed. Annoyed again.

The problem is, it seems a lot of people really don’t have more important things to be worried about.

Oh, to live such a charmed life. Bless.

Niamh O’Donovan, Douglas, Cork

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