When Too Much Medicine Hurts: The Rising Danger of Overtesting

A groundbreaking new study has shaken the medical world with an uncomfortable truth: over-testing is not only unnecessary in many cases—it may actually be causing harm, including increasing the risk of cancer. For years, patients have been conditioned to believe that “more testing” equals better care, but this new research is forcing the medical community to reconsider that narrative.

The study, published in a leading peer-reviewed journal, analyzed tens of thousands of cases across multiple healthcare systems. It found that a significant percentage of diagnostic tests—particularly imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs—offered little to no clinical benefit. More alarmingly, repeated exposure to radiation from these tests has been linked to a measurable increase in cancer risk, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Among those speaking out on the implications of the study is Andrew Rudin, MD, a respected internal medicine physician based in Tennessee. Known for his thoughtful, patient-centered approach to care, Dr. Rudin is calling for a shift in how both doctors and patients view diagnostic testing—not as an automatic first step, but as a carefully considered decision.

“We’ve reached a point where some patients are being tested not because it’s medically necessary, but because it’s routine, expected, or defensive,” said Andrew Rudin, MD. “That’s a dangerous path, especially when we’re talking about tests that involve radiation exposure.”

The Normalization of Over-Testing

Modern medicine has grown increasingly reliant on diagnostic tests—blood panels, imaging scans, biopsies, and more. These tools have saved lives by catching serious conditions early. But the line between prudent screening and excessive probing has blurred.

The study’s authors noted a trend among physicians toward “defensive medicine,” where tests are ordered to avoid potential legal liability rather than out of clinical necessity. This approach, while understandable in a litigious environment, has led to a surge in testing that often uncovers incidental findings—abnormalities that are benign but trigger further invasive procedures.

These “incidentalomas,” as they’re sometimes called, can lead to anxiety, biopsies, unnecessary surgeries, and now—as the study shows—a measurable uptick in radiation-induced cancers over time.

Andrew Rudin, MD, has seen the consequences firsthand. “I’ve had patients go down a rabbit hole of testing based on something that was never going to be a threat to their health. And by the time they come out the other side, they’ve undergone biopsies, radiation, sometimes even surgery—without ever having had a life-threatening condition,” he explains.

A Culture of Fear and the Illusion of Control

Part of the problem lies in patient psychology. Many patients equate thoroughness with quality, believing that more tests mean more care. But in reality, excessive testing can provide a false sense of security—or worse, create new problems.

There’s also the issue of fear-based medicine. Physicians often feel pressured to over-order tests because “it’s better to be safe than sorry.” But Andrew Rudin, MD, challenges this idea.

“There’s a difference between being thorough and being reckless,” he says. “We’re not just talking about costs or inconvenience anymore. We’re talking about genuine harm—especially from cumulative radiation and follow-up procedures.”

The study estimated that for every 10,000 patients receiving multiple unnecessary CT scans, 50 to 80 might develop radiation-related cancers later in life. That may seem small on a per-patient basis, but across millions of Americans, the numbers add up alarmingly.

Rethinking Risk and Responsibility

So what’s the solution? The researchers and physicians like Andrew Rudin, MD, advocate for a cultural shift—away from automatic testing and toward what’s being called “evidence-guided restraint.” This means doctors must weigh not only the potential benefits of a test, but its risks, the patient's medical history, and whether the results would actually change the course of care.

The study recommends improved shared decision-making between doctors and patients, using decision aids and updated guidelines that clearly communicate the potential downsides of unnecessary testing.

Dr. Rudin is already practicing this model. In his Tennessee clinic, he takes time to explain why a test may not be necessary, even when patients come in asking for it. “I don’t want to deny people information—but I want them to understand what they’re asking for, and why sometimes the best test is no test at all.”

The Path Forward: Educating the Public and the Profession

Changing habits—on both sides of the exam room—is not easy. Many patients feel reassured by tests, even when they offer no meaningful information. Some equate a battery of diagnostics with thorough care. And some doctors worry that if they don’t order a test and something goes wrong, they’ll be held liable.

But the data is becoming hard to ignore. The study's authors stress that the risks of over-testing are real, and they go beyond radiation: false positives, unnecessary surgeries, exposure to infections, and psychological distress are all on the rise.

For physicians like Andrew Rudin, MD, the findings are a call to return to the fundamentals of medicine—listening to the patient, performing a detailed physical exam, and using tests selectively and strategically.

“Technology is a tool—not a substitute for judgment,” he says. “We have to resist the idea that more is always better. Sometimes, doing less is what truly serves the patient best.”

Conclusion: The Need for Medical Mindfulness

The new study on over-testing underscores a critical inflection point in modern medicine. As tools become more powerful and data more abundant, the temptation to test everything grows stronger. But as Andrew Rudin, MD, and other thoughtful clinicians emphasize, good medicine isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.

Moving forward, both patients and providers must engage in more mindful, informed conversations about testing. With the risks now clearer than ever—including the possibility of test-related cancer—it’s time to rethink what “better care” really means.

Because in healthcare, as in life, more is not always better. And sometimes, the most powerful medicine is knowing when to say no.