9 January 2011 SundayTribune
Health Focus
Make a major investment in yourself
Dr Richard Aboud, Medical
Director of Charter Medical
Even during the best of times,
our health has always been our
greatest asset. But, like most
things of value, it needs to be
nurtured and protected - and
Irish people are all too familiar
with a seemingly healthy asset
suddenly turning against them.
Nobody, even in the full flush of
youth, can take their health for
granted, but the older we get,
the more important it becomes
to take a greater interest in our
overall wellbeing. This is why
health screening needs to
become an important element
in our lives, so that we can iden-
tify minor issues now that
could become major issues in
the future.
Charter Medical was estab-
lished in 2006 to provide hos-
pital-standard care in the
community. Its state-of-the-art
facility at Smithfield in the
heart of Dublin, which is staffed
by experienced doctors and
other medical professionals,
has been designed to offer a
best-in-class medical and well-
being service which includes a
fully-functioning diagnostic
unit complete with MRI and CT
scanning.
Charter also offers a com-
prehensive health and wellness
screening programme, sup-
ported by some health insur-
ance companies, which is
aimed at practically every sec-
tion of society. This screening
service is offered over a variety
of levels, from the most basic
“Health MOT” to an “Executive
Health Screening”, as well as
specific screening for such
issues as cervical cancer in
women.
“Health screening is a tool
which allows people to main-
tain and enjoy their normally
healthy lifestyles,” explained Dr
Richard Aboud, Medical Direc-
tor of Charter Medical. “The
whole purpose is to identify
any risk factors now that could
cause problems going forward,
such as heart disease, obesity,
diabetes, glaucoma or respira-
Dr Sarah Ibrahim, a specialist
in STIs who practices at
Charter Medical
tory problems. It can identify
the warning signs at an early
stage, and we can recommend
some minor lifestyle changes;
this is always preferable to
waiting until something more
serious arrives.”
For example, the “Health
MOT” is a 40 minute service
which covers everything from
Body Mass Index (BMI) and
diabetes screening to checks
on blood pressure, liver and
kidney functions, as well as a
hearing and sight analysis. But
even these basic tests can have
a far reaching effect on a per-
son’s overall wellbeing. A BMI
of above 25 or 30 could high-
light some major lifestyle
issues that need to be
addressed – and if people con-
tinue their lifestyle in the same
manner, they could be very
much at risk of diabetes. Other
tests such as blood pressure
monitoring could point to
issues with cardiovascular dis-
ease and stroke, while glauco-
ma screening could help
eliminate the danger of blind-
ness in later life.
Health screening is a
tool which allows
people to maintain
and enjoy their
normally healthy
lifestyles
Other levels of screening
include the Standard Health
Screen, the MediScreen and
the Full Executive Screen
(including extra thyroid func-
tion and cardiac tests), each
offering different levels of
screening and aimed at differ-
ent age and risk groups. But
every screen offered by Char-
ter Medical offers a snapshot in
time of a person’s overall
9
health, which not only has a
major predictive value, but
which also comes with real rec-
ommendations on what a per-
son should do to maintain and
improve on their current health
and wellbeing.
Even with the most in-depth
screening services, results will
be returned within a week
(some will be available immedi-
ately, others within a 24 to 48
hour window). In addition to
general recommendations on
lifestyle or diet, there may also
be a medical element to the
recommendations which can
mitigate or eliminate any of the
risks that the screening has
brought to light.
“Some of what we recom-
mend will be common sense,
but some will require medical
intervention,” explained Dr
Aboud. “For example, cardio-
vascular disease is particularly
prevalent in Ireland, and there
is often a genetic link that no
amount of exercise can allevi-
ate. But if we identify the issues
during a screening, then we
can add a medical element to
our recommendations, and the
risks go away.”
In addition to its general
screening services, Charter
Medical also offers a discreet
screening service for cervical
cancer and sexually transmit-
ted illnesses (STIs). Cervical
cancer screening can save
hundreds of lives every year,
but it can be an expensive
process – which is why Charter
Medical offers its cervical can-
cer screening on a not-for-prof-
it basis.
Cervical cancer is caused
largely by the HPV virus, which
is present in the majority of the
sexually active population
(HPV also more commonly
leads to genital warts). Howev-
er, the Gardasil vaccination, ease of transfer and their fre- The evidence is quite more significant infection later.
which is offered by Charter quent lack of symptoms, STI “People may be dealing with
Medical for just €390, protects screening is important for any- clear that all young reduced incomes and uncer-
against four strains of the HPV one who has ever been sexually tainty with their jobs, but even
virus – two which cause cancer active with more than one sex- girls should be vacci- a Lottery would not alter the
and two which cause genital ual partner, even those now in a need the keep body and mind
warts. stable relationship. nated, but the main working at peak performance,”
“The evidence is quite clear “Issues around STIs are issue is the price, and advised Dr Aboud. “And espe-
that all young girls should be often overlooked and under- cially during these times of
vaccinated, but the main issue resourced,” explained Dr this will remain an stress, your health can be your
is the price, and this will remain Ibrahim. “It can be an embar- greatest asset, which is why it
an issue as long as there are rassing and sensitive topic issue as long as there is so important to maintain it,
limitations under national vac- which people are still not com- looking after your baseline
cination program,” explained fortable discussing, but the are limitations under health will contribute positively
Dr Sarah Ibrahim, a GP with a reality is that STIs are now national vaccination helping you deal with the chal-
special interest in STI’s who more prevalent than ever. This lenges ahead – invest in your-
practices at Charter Medical. is why screening is highly rec- program self, it’s a very smart move”
“This is why we offer the vacci- ommended for anyone who For more details on Charter
nation on a non-profit basis, has unprotected sex, anyone Medical screening packages,
and this service caters for girls thinking of moving into rela- process accurately detects the you can contact them on the
not covered by the state’s own tionship with someone who prevalent infections that is of details below:
vaccine program.” has been sexually active, or concern to most patients. Charter Medical phone:
Of course, cervical cancer is people who are considering There are certain at-risk 01-657 9000
not the only sexually-related changing from barrier forms of groups, but everyone is sus- Charter Medical email:
issue that Charter Medical contraception.” ceptible – and like any form of medical@chartermedical.ie
deals with as part of its special- STI screening involves a sim- screening, it is better to act Charter Medical fax:
ist STI service. Because of their ple blood and urine test. This now than have to correct a 01-657 9035