Radical Diagnosis

Mammograms, prostate tests and other preventative health care tests are meant to keep us well. Conventional medical wisdom says that if you detect the bad things early, you can nip them in the bud and enjoy a long, healthy life. Dr. Nortin Hadler disagrees.

In a new book, Hadler, a Harvard-educated physician, argues that many routine medical procedures, including bypass surgery and mamograms, are largely unnecessary. Americans, he argues, have become professional patients and worriers.

Hear a conversation with Dr. Nortin Hadler about his dire diagnosis of the health-care system and his prescription to cure it.

Guests:

Dr. Nortin Hadler, author of "Last Well Person: How to Stay Well Despite the Health-Care System"

Dr. Therese Beavers, Medical Director of Clinical Cancer Prevention and Prevention Outreach programs at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Jack Beatty, On Point News Analyst, senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly.