News

24/11/2022

Regular health check ups can help with everything from weight and blood pressure monitoring to early detection of more serious issues. Yet a significant proportion of people simply neglect to have them frequently. Indeed, according to a new national poll from NORC at the University of Chicago and the West Health Institute, around 40 percent of Americans reported skipping a recommended medical test or treatment. Meanwhile, 44 percent said they neglected to see a doctor despite being sick or injured in the last year because of cost. Separate research also reveals that men are more likely to miss health check ups, with a third of men thinking they do not need annual health screenings. The Harris Poll, which surveyed people nationally, also found that two-thirds of men believe they are “naturally healthier than others in general.” The benefits of regular health check ups First and foremost, regular health check ups can help detect medical conditions while they are still in their early stages, which can yield a number of follow on benefits. For example, an early cancer diagnosis can significantly improve a patient’s outcome. Treatment can be given sooner, increasing the chances of a patient responding positively. Furthermore, when medical conditions are diagnosed earlier, the chances of them becoming more severe are lessened. In turn, this means that healthcare interventions and associated costs are, inevitably, greatly reduced. Then there is the peace of mind that can be afforded through regular health check ups. Instead of wondering whether the few symptoms you are experiencing are serious, isn’t it better to get checked out and put your mind at ease? Finally, regular health check ups also serve to strengthen your relationship with doctors and physicians. By building mutual trust, more open and honest conversations can be had, which often lead to swifter diagnoses. Final thoughts When was the last time you had a health check up? On an annual basis wouldn’t be a bad start. Whether you are young or old, regular health check ups are important. Most medical conditions do not discriminate, which means staying abreast of any changes with your body is so important. Chances are you’ll be given a clean bill of health on a regular basis. But with regular health check ups, you stand a significantly greater chance of any potential medical issues being discovered early and, potentially, before they become a bigger problem. *Image by tomwieden from Pixabay 

05/04/2018

NHS England is in the process of introducing ‘one-stop cancer shops’ across the country, the aim of which is to afford quicker diagnoses for patients. At present, patients often face delays as they are sent for several tests to check for different forms of the illness. Despite cancer survival rates having increased over recent decades, patients who do not display obvious signs of cancer often face treatment delays. For example, individuals who have experienced unexplained weight loss, reduced appetite or abdominal pain can be referred several times for different tests, which delays valuable opportunities to begin treatment. The approach NHS England is now adopting was first introduced in Denmark and allows patients to undergo all the necessary tests under one roof. Cally Palmer, national director for cancer at NHS England, said: "Early diagnosis is crucial to saving lives and providing peace of mind for patients, which is why we are driving forward plans to revolutionise our approach to cancer in this country. "These new one-stop shops represent a real step change in the way people with unclear symptoms are identified, diagnosed and treated." The bottom line is that the rapid diagnosis and subsequent fast treatment of cancer is vital for saving lives. Initially, there will be 10 such centres spread across England at the following locations: Royal Free Hospital, London North Middlesex Hospital, London, University College Hospitals London Southend University Hospital Queens Hospital, Romford St James University Hospital, Leeds Airedale General Hospital, West Yorkshire University Hospital, South Manchester Royal Oldham Hospital, Greater Manchester Churchill Hospital, Oxford More centres will be added if the project is a success.

01/04/2014

Admittedly, going to your doctor or health clinic on a regular basis may not be the most fun thing on your ‘To Do’ list, but it is hugely important, extremely beneficial and something the medical team at France Surgery strongly recommend. If you’re not sure why, these four reasons should help give you a better idea: To be healthier and in control: Studies show that those of us who have regular check-ups throughout the year tend to lead healthier lives and are more aware of their overall physical conditions. To build an established medical history: This makes it much easier to spot things out of the ordinary later down the line. For preventative care: Regular check-ups will ensure you get the correct tests and immunisations according to your age and sex when you need them. For more effective treatment: If any surgery or treatments are needed, a regular health check will help ensure early diagnosis and treatment to have the best chance of success. Our recommendation? Make sure you get regular health check-ups. Not only will they give you better peace of mind, but they’ll allow you to get on with enjoying your life, making the most of good health.

13/02/2014

At France Surgery we can’t stress the importance of having regular health check-ups enough. Often regular check-ups can help find problems before they start. But perhaps more importantly, they can help to find problems that are in their early stages - when the chance for treatment and recovery are much greater.   For adults over the age of 40 we stress this point even more, since the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers increase. However regardless of age or whether you lead a healthy lifestyle, the doctors at France Surgery recommend having regular check-ups to help improve your chances of leading a long and healthy life. Our check-ups are adapted to suit each patient using the latest in preventive medicine and early diagnosis techniques. Depending on age, sex and lifestyle the types of tests and consultations we carry out during a regular check-up are: Blood & Urine Tests Gynaecological Test (for women) Heart Health Check Chest X-Ray MRI Scan Urological check Endocrinology consultation – to provide an overview of diseases related to hormones. Gastroenterology consultation – to provide an overview of diseases related to the digestive system. Cardiologist consultation - to provide an overview of diseases related to the heart. So what are you waiting for? Book your check-up appointment with us today and enjoy living a healthier life.