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There are literally thousands of tests that can be done, but the question is, are they needed? Prostate cancer is usually not seen until late 50's or early sixties so is prostate check needed at 40? Not according to the american cancer society. Chest X-ray? Again unless there are symptoms of a problem, the cumulative exposure to radiation on a yearly basis is not worth the rare x-ray that shows something. A physical is a general check up with attention/tests paid to specific complaints. It is not a fishing trip to perform every test you can think of, nor are the resources(wherever you live) available to do every test. That is why organizations such as the American Cancer Society list testing guidelines.
I have some experience in this area- as a family physician I perform 4-5 physicals a day.
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For me there is only the traveling on paths that have heart, on any path that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge is to traverse its full length. And there I travel, looking, looking, ...breathlessly.
-Carlos Castaneda
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