Early Cancer Detection and Health Checks

What are Health Checks?

Health checks are comprehensive examinations designed to assess various aspects of your well-being, focusing on the early detection of potential health issues. In the context of gastrointestinal cancer screening, health checks involve a series of tests and evaluations aimed at identifying signs of cancer in the digestive system before symptoms occur. 

They typically include a 

• Review of the patient's medical history and physical exam,
• Laboratory tests, 
• Imaging tests
• Endoscopic procedures

Importance of Health Checks

Regular health checks and care plans are essential for several reasons:

• Early Detection: Regular health checks can help detect potential health problems early when they are more treatable or curable. For example, a colonoscopy can detect polyps (the precursors to cancer), which can be easily removed or colon cancer in its early stages.
• Prevention: Regular health checks can help prevent specific health problems from developing. For example, investigation and management of chronic liver disease to prevent progression to liver cirrhosis, which is a major risk factor for liver cancer.
• Monitoring: Regular health checks can help monitor the progression of a chronic condition and assess the effectiveness of treatment. t.
• Personalised Care: Regular health checks and care plans help ensure individuals receive personalised care tailored to their specific needs.
• Cost-effective: By detecting and preventing health problems early, regular health checks and care plans can help reduce the overall cost of healthcare.

By identifying health issues and cancer at an early stage, healthcare professionals can implement timely and targeted therapies, potentially avoiding the need for more aggressive treatments in the later stages of the disease. Health checks empower individuals to actively participate in their well-being and make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle. Consult with our doctors to determine the appropriate schedule and types of health checks and care plans that are right for you.

Who is Suitable for Early Cancer Detection?

Early cancer detection is suitable for everyone. Here are some general guidelines for early cancer detection:

• Men and women: Both should undergo regular colon cancer screening starting at age 50. The recommended screening tests include colonoscopy, stool tests (faecal occult blood test, i.e. FOBT), or CT colonography.
• Smokers and overweight individuals: Although there are no clear guidelines on screening for these individuals, smoking and obesity may be risk factors for various gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach, pancreas, and bowel cancer. 
• Those with a family history: Individuals with a family history of certain cancers or a hereditary syndrome such as Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatosis polyposis (FAP), and serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS), may be at higher risk and should discuss screening options with their healthcare provider.
• Those with certain medical conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. These individuals may require more frequent screening and surveillance.

Stages of Early Cancer Detection

Early cancer detection involves several stages that aim to detect cancer before spreading to other body parts. The stages of early cancer detection include:

• Cancer risk assessment: The first stage in early cancer detection is to assess an individual's risk for developing cancer. This may involve evaluating personal and family medical history, lifestyle factors, and genetic testing.
• Cancer screening: Involves testing for cancer in people with no disease symptoms. Regular screening is essential for early cancer detection, as it can detect cancer early when it is more treatable.
• Diagnostic testing: If a screening test indicates the possibility of cancer, diagnostic testing is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. This may include imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, PET scans, laboratory tests, and endoscopy.
• Staging: This determines the extent to which cancer spreads in the body. This is an essential stage in early cancer detection, as it helps doctors determine the appropriate treatment and predict the outcome of the disease. Staging may involve imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, and biopsies.
• Treatment: Depending on the cancer stage and the patient's overall health, treatment options may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

Limitations of Cancer Screening

• False positives: Cancer screening tests can produce false positives, which means the test indicates that cancer may be present when it is not.
• False negatives: Cancer screening tests can produce false negatives, which means that the test indicates that cancer is not present when it is.
• Overdiagnosis: Cancer screening can lead to diagnosing cancers that may not have caused symptoms or become life-threatening. This can lead to unnecessary treatment and can cause harm.

Endoscopy

What is Endoscopy? 

Endoscopy is a medical procedure that involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera into the body to view the inside of the organs. Endoscopy includes gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasound. Endoscopy is used to screen for several types of cancer, including colon, esophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancer. 

First, it can identify abnormal growths or tumours in the digestive tract's lining, which can be biopsied and tested for cancer. Second, it can identify changes in the structure and appearance of tissues, such as inflammation or ulcers, which may indicate the presence of cancer. Third, it can detect precancerous lesions, which can be removed before they become cancerous.

Detecting and Preventing Cancer through Quality Endoscopy

Quality endoscopy is critical for accurate cancer detection and prevention. Here are some ways in which quality endoscopy can help:

• Accurate diagnosis: Doctors can view the inside of the body and take tissue samples for testing.
• Early detection: Detect cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat, reducing the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body.
• Precancerous polyp removal: Help prevent cancer by detecting and removing precancerous polyps before they become cancerous.
• Minimally invasive: Can be performed on an outpatient basis, making it convenient and accessible for patients.

What is a Care Plan?

A care plan is a personalised plan of care that outlines the steps that will be taken to manage a person's health and well-being. 

It is typically developed by a healthcare provider or a care team and includes information about the patient's medical conditions, medications, and other relevant information. 

Care plans ensure that patients receive the appropriate care and treatment and that their healthcare providers are aware of any changes in their condition.

Book your Health Check Today

Book with us to schedule regular health checks and to discuss what types of health checks and care plans are appropriate for you. 

You can also check with your insurance provider to see what health checks and care plans they cover. They might have a list of recommended health checks that they suggest or even require you to take.