health screening article charter medical

8/7/2019 Health Screening Article Charter Medical

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January 2011 SundayTribune

Make a major investment in yourself

ven during the best of times,ur health has always been ourreatest asset. But, like mosthings of value, it needs to beurtured and protected - andish people are all too familiar

with a seemingly healthy assetuddenly turning against them.

Nobody, even in the full flush ofouth, can take their health forranted, but the older we get,he more important it becomeso take a greater interest in ourverall wellbeing. This is whyealth screening needs toecome an important element

n our lives, so that we can iden-fy minor issues now thatould become major issues inhe future.

Charter Medical was estab-shed in 2006 to provide hos-ital-standard care in theommunity. Its state-of-the-artacility at Smithfield in theeart of Dublin, which is staffedy experienced doctors andther medical professionals,as been designed to offer aest-in-class medical and well-eing service which includes a

ully-functioning diagnosticnit complete with MRI and CTcanning.

Charter also offers a com-rehensive health and wellnesscreening programme, sup-orted by some health insur-nce companies, which isimed at practically every sec-on of society. This screening

ervice is offered over a varietyf levels, from the most basicHealth MOT” to an “Executive

Health Screening”, as well aspecific screening for such

ssues as cervical cancer inwomen.

“Health screening is a toolwhich allows people to main-ain and enjoy their normallyealthy lifestyles,” explained Drichard Aboud, Medical Direc-

or of Charter Medical. “Thewhole purpose is to identify

ny risk factors now that couldause problems going forward,uch as heart disease, obesity,iabetes, glaucoma or respira-

tory problems. It can identifythe warning signs at an earlystage, and we can recommendsome minor lifestyle changes;this is always preferable towaiting until something moreserious arrives.”

For example, the “HealthMOT” is a 40 minute servicewhich covers everything fromBody Mass Index (BMI) anddiabetes screening to checkson blood pressure, liver andkidney functions, as well as ahearing and sight analysis. Buteven these basic tests can havea far reaching effect on a per-son’s overall wellbeing. A BMIof above 25 or 30 could high-light some major lifestyleissues that need to beaddressed – and if people con-tinue their lifestyle in the samemanner, they could be verymuch at risk of diabetes. Othertests such as blood pressuremonitoring could point toissues with cardiovascular dis-ease and stroke, while glauco-ma screening could helpeliminate the danger of blind-ness in later life.

Other levels of screeninginclude the Standard HealthScreen, the MediScreen andthe Full Executive Screen(including extra thyroid func-tion and cardiac tests), eachoffering different levels ofscreening and aimed at differ-ent age and risk groups. Butevery screen offered by Char-ter Medical offers a snapshot intime of a person’s overall

health, which not only has amajor predictive value, butwhich also comes with real rec-ommendations on what a per-son should do to maintain andimprove on their current healthand wellbeing.

Even with the most in-depthscreening services, results willbe returned within a week(some will be available immedi-ately, others within a 24 to 48hour window). In addition togeneral recommendations onlifestyle or diet, there may alsobe a medical element to therecommendations which canmitigate or eliminate any of therisks that the screening hasbrought to light.

“Some of what we recom-mend will be common sense,but some will require medicalintervention,” explained DrAboud. “For example, cardio-vascular disease is particularlyprevalent in Ireland, and thereis often a genetic link that noamount of exercise can allevi-ate. But if we identify the issuesduring a screening, then wecan add a medical element toour recommendations, and therisks go away.”

In addition to its generalscreening services, CharterMedical also offers a discreetscreening service for cervicalcancer and sexually transmit-ted illnesses (STIs). Cervicalcancer screening can savehundreds of lives every year,but it can be an expensiveprocess – which is why CharterMedical offers its cervical can-cer screening on a not-for-prof-it basis.

Cervical cancer is causedlargely by the HPV virus, whichis present in the majority of thesexually active population(HPV also more commonlyleads to genital warts). Howev-er, the Gardasil vaccination,which is offered by CharterMedical for just €390, protectsagainst four strains of the HPVvirus – two which cause cancerand two which cause genitalwarts.

“The evidence is quite clearthat all young girls should be

vaccinated, but the main issueis the price, and this will remainan issue as long as there arelimitations under national vac-cination program,” explainedDr Sarah Ibrahim, a GP with aspecial interest in STI’s whopractices at Charter Medical.“This is why we offer the vacci-nation on a non-profit basis,and this service caters for girlsnot covered by the state’s ownvaccine program.”

Of course, cervical cancer isnot the only sexually-relatedissue that Charter Medicaldeals with as part of its special-ist STI service. Because of their

ease of transfer and their fre-quent lack of symptoms, STIscreening is important for any-one who has ever been sexuallyactive with more than one sex-ual partner, even those now in astable relationship.

“Issues around STIs areoften overlooked and under-

resourced,” explained DrIbrahim. “It can be an embar-rassing and sensitive topicwhich people are still not com-fortable discussing, but thereality is that STIs are nowmore prevalent than ever. Thisis why screening is highly rec-ommended for anyone whohas unprotected sex, anyonethinking of moving into rela-tionship with someone whohas been sexually active, orpeople who are consideringchanging from barrier forms ofcontraception.”

STI screening involves a sim-ple blood and urine test. This

process accurately detects theprevalent infections that is ofconcern to most patients.There are certain at-riskgroups, but everyone is sus-ceptible – and like any form ofscreening, it is better to actnow than have to correct a

more significant infection “People may be dealing

reduced incomes and unctainty with their jobs, but ea Lottery would not alter thneed the keep body and mworking at peak performanadvised Dr Aboud. “And escially during these times o

stress, your health can be greatest asset, which is whis so important to maintainlooking after your baselinehealth will contribute posihelping you deal with the clenges ahead – invest in yoself, it’s a very smart moveFor more details on CharMedical screening packayou can contact them ondetails below:Charter Medical phone:01-657 9000Charter Medical email:medical@chartermedicaCharter Medical fax:01-657 9035

The evidence is quite

clear that all young

girls should be vacci-

nated, but the main

issue is the price, and

this will remain anissue as long as there

are limitations under

national vaccination

program

Health screening is a

tool which allows

people to maintain

and enjoy their

normally healthy 

lifestyles

Health Focus

Dr Richard Aboud, MedicalDirector of Charter Medical

Dr Sarah Ibrahim, a specialistin STIs who practices atCharter Medical