what health checks? cancer etc

oompaloompa · #1 10-08-2014

sorry to bring you down, but got to thinking, as had a shock of 2 young - 30s to 40s friends getting cancer.....one of which just found out when doing a routine check for something else (apparently that happens alot)...

anyone do those full/part MRI body scans...colonoscopy...etc for preventative reasons?

GreenBean · #2 10-08-2014

Do you?

oompaloompa · #3 10-08-2014

no checks just yet, always followed the wait til you are ill and get it checked out, rather than preventative but the 1 friend got the tumour caught earlier purely because it was seen during a check for something else, it may have saved her life, do not know yet, fingers crossed...so interested in exploring the logic of preventatives and other peoples experiences etc....

**ilcarletto** · #4 10-08-2014

Sorry to hear that oompa,
mammography and "light" preventive checks are quite common in Italy.

Even regular blood test could give you some "alarm" in that direction.

Me and my family usually do. You'll never be 100% safe but it does help.

GreenBean · #5 10-08-2014

I have blood tests every 3 months.

Mammograms & pap smears are done yearly.

I am also check for melanomas because of previous removals.

Results of the blood tests determine the next steps should they be needed.

Sighs.

xShevaa7x · #6 10-08-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBean

I have blood tests every 3 months.

Mammograms & pap smears are done yearly.

I am also check for melanomas because of previous removals.

Results of the blood tests determine the next steps should they be needed.

Sighs.

Yes, blood tests can tell a lot of things.

Foreveryoung789 · #7 10-08-2014

I make blood tests from time to time. Other checks would be good to make too.

donkeykong2012 · #8 10-08-2014

This thread has hit a nerve for me.

Just got back from a break feeling great, but a little depressed reading about EBay's latest exploits and now this thread.

For the record, both of my Parents have had near misses and survived.

My Father had a heart attack about 10 years ago. The day he was made redundant. He is now fine, retired and is on medication for life.

My Mother had breast cancer a few years earlier. She *chose* to have her whole breast removed as a precaution. She is also fine. However her Sister died from Lung Cancer one month later having not being diagnosed as she suffered from Arthritis, and this disguised the symptoms. She just finished a Law degree before diagnosis.

And me. I have always had chest pains through stress. Probably through my previous Job and also with EBay/Paypal issues. I am a total stress head.

I had an ECG earlier this year and Blood Tests for all kind of checks. All fine with no issues.

Interestingly the chest pains have almost disappeared. They must have been psychological.

It makes you think doesn't it?

donkeykong2012 · #9 10-08-2014

Just remembered something else.

A few years ago, I had a spot on the side of my head. It began to bleed and started to grow outwards. In the end I had to grow my hair to disguise it.

If I touched it it would bleed uncontrollably. It was very worrying.

I forget the medical term for it, the Doctor sussed it out quick.

I needed to have it surgically removed, however there was a variant that could be cancerous. However this was not.

The Doctors and Nurses who assisted on my few hours in hospital were amazing.

rsot · #10 10-08-2014

GB's steps are right for women - blood tests every 3 months aren't really needed except when medical condition is present which needs to be monitored.

@xShevaa, blood tests do show a lot BUT they tend to show more "acute" issues...chronic, insidious issues like hypertension, cancer, and such are not always caught early.

DEFINITELY - if your family line has a predisposition for colon cancer, do the colonoscopy early in life...if there are genetic disorders, do the appropriate testing. Annual check ups should be done.

IF you have habits like smoking, drinking, drugs, lifestyle issues...those need to be addressed quickly.

/end of PSA

oompaloompa · #11 10-09-2014

interesting guys.

so GB is this all private or on the Oz NHS/ or work scheme etc?

over here, NHS caters for if you have symptoms and they are quite good. The private insurance, which I have, again is not for preventatives but for symptoms and referal via dr.

there are private health check companies, but it is not a routine thing here (prob due to NHS reliance) - expensive, which is not an issue IF useful.

it is all the internal stuff you cannot see, wondering about this MRI scan maybe every 5 years, colonoscopy - need balance risks with benefits......

oompaloompa · #12 10-09-2014

@donkey, I suffer with my nerves too, and it is hard to control, it just happens, I am scared of situations happening that I know will give me physical symptoms.

Wish I could float through life, like some others do...

rsot · #13 10-09-2014

There is a catch 22 with doing these scans oompa...whether MRI or colonoscopy. The issue is that if something is found, should it be acted upon?

That's the dilemma of gung-ho medicine...if you go searching all over, you may find something that is NOT causing issues...and you end up with unnecessary measures/surgery/medication use

GreenBean · #14 10-09-2014

ompappa,

Choice of everything.

We even have preventative health check companies becoming more popular. At the moment their fees can be claimed as a tax deduction.

colt63 · #15 10-09-2014

Oompaloompa,

I know just how you feel, it is always difficult hearing that someone close to you has been diagnosed with 'that' dreaded illness.

It really makes you think very hard about your own health, life, etc.

My family have been through 'that' illness a couple of times now, and when you, as a child, loses both parents to the illness, it is even more scary.

However, I don't know if I would have the courage to undergo a full body scan.....

GreenBean · #16 10-09-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by colt63

However, I don't know if I would have the courage to undergo a full body scan.....

Sorry to hear this. I have family history of cancers as well as actual diagnosis.

May I suggest trying to speak to your Doctor about your concerns. Mine worked out a plan to use if my health indicated issues.

Please take care of yourself, my Friend.

astralman · #17 10-09-2014

You can try to learn about fixing up body problems with food (search online) (i'm not kidding different people different bodies react to different stuff, but yea always go to a doctor as you learn from both sides. Before I ever get some kind of surgery or something I prefer to try alternative ways.

rsot · #18 10-10-2014

The food attack on body problems is pretty hit and miss.