Is private health screening worth it?

Why you need a health check

Do you tend to ignore your health until something goes wrong? And even then, if symptoms aren’t too bad, or life is busy, you might brush them aside and carry on?

Sounds familiar? Then you could be among those who suddenly find themselves in hospital having to undergo a string of frightening tests. But there are ways to safeguard your health.

What is health screening?

Health screening is all about getting the best preventative care so you can live a healthy life.

The Benefits

• Quick diagnosis. Sometimes before symptoms show
• Get the treatment you need fast
• Get peace of mind about your future health
• Explore a health concern

Dr Amarjit Raindi is a GP at private day clinic Twenty-five Harley street, and a great believer in the benefits of health screening and preventative medicine.

Booking in for a health screening with a private GP is where you have a consultation to identify your main health risks, using a holistic approach by looking at your current health, family history and lifestyle.

Targeted health screening

Heart disease

Risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Raised cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Being over weight 

Bowel conditions

Risk factors include:

• History of inflammatory bowel disease
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Polyposis syndromes (FAP) 
• A diet high in meat and low in fibre and vegetables

Faecal occult blood (FOB)

This is a stool test which identifies blood in the stools even if it’s not visible to the naked eye. This is useful for picking up conditions such as ulcers, haemorrhoids, diverticular disease and early signs of cancer. We recommend annual tests for patients over 50.

Colonoscopy

This test gives doctors a clear picture of the large bowel and is usually performed under sedation. This detailed test has the advantage of being able to take biopsies of any suspicious looking lesions. We recommend at least 10 yearly colonoscopy for low risk patients.

Lung conditions

Risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Passive smoking
• Exposure to asbestos
• Exposure to radiation

Breast Cancer

About a quarter of cases of breast cancer occur in younger women, before the age of 50, so there is a case for early screening. What’s more, early detection and a improved treatments have vastly improved outcomes. 

Risk factors include:

• Family history
• Certain genes
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• The combined contraceptive pill (small increase in risk)

The best screening tool is annual mammography after the age of 40, this uses X-rays to identify any suspicious breast lesions. However, we would consider both breast MRI and mammography in high risk individuals after the age of 30.

Prostate Cancer

Attitudes towards prostate cancer have developed into a more proactive approach towards diagnosis and management.

Risk factors include:

• Age
• Family history 
• Ethnicity (more prevalent in the Afro-Caribbean population)

We recommend combining a PSA (Prostate specific antigen) blood test with a detailed multiparametric prostate MRI using the latest state of the art 3T MRI scanners. A normal MRI scan can then avoid an unnecessary biopsy and furthermore any biopsies that are planned can be targeted to specific lesions.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis itself doesn’t cause any symptoms, but as a result of bones becoming thinner and more brittle, the first sign is a fracture, often in the hip, shoulder or wrist.

Fractures in the vertebrae of the spine can lead to chronic back pain and loss of height. 

Risk factors include:

• Women after the menopause
• Premature menopause
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Low BMI
• A family history
• Use of steroids
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• An underactive thyroid
• Diabetes (type 1)

Screening for osteoporosis is done by use of a risk assessment tool and a DEXA scan. Treatment can then be decided depending on the bone density (as measure by DEXA), the risk score and relevant history.

Lifestyle modifications are important – reducing alcohol intake, avoiding smoking, weight bearing exercises and eating a well-balanced diet with calcium rich foods. The use of calcium and vitamin D supplements as well as medication may be advised.

 Professor David Reid at Twenty-five Harley Street, is one of the UK’s leading expert on DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and can provide you with a Body Composition Scan.

Same day appointment with GP

You can get an appointment with a trusted doctor the same day at central London clinic Twenty-five Harley Street, which offers a 24/7 service – with appointments available at the clinic from 8.30am until 8pm at night. Dr Drashnika Patel explains, ‘Patients don’t need to be registered at Twenty-five Harley Street.’ Just dial up the usual number - 020 3883 9525 or email appointments@25harleystreet.co.uk .