Recommendations ,where to get a complete physical?

It truly is a crap shoot. Years ago I passed a Hazmat certification physical that was quite through and included an EKG. One week later I suffered a massive heart attack and damn near died. I asked my cardiologist how this could happen, and he explained that an EKG will only tell that you have had a heart attack in the past, it can't predict the future. I'm all for targeted diagnostic testing, but the shotgun approach is a waste of time and money in my opinion. For example, I got a nuclear stress test last year before I came over here and will get another soon, and I am constantly checked for blood sugar, as I am the only member of my extended family who has not had diabetes. That, and a CBC is all you need unless you have symptoms, in my opinion.

Medicine will never be exact , sadly, so many variables, the only things I think will improve will be the detection issues and improved pro active health measures. Get people to think it, they will detect it quicker ?

They developed a vaccination now for Cervical Cancer, simple , easy , cost effective. Significant benefits world wide.

Public Awareness is a key issue:

eg Females - if you have lumps, bumps, etc, get a mamogram, if you have amenorrhea or PV bleeding, get a PAP smear etc

Males - increased frequency in urination, associated with painful output etc. Lumps and bumps in the breasts are also prominant.

Skin cancers - look for changes in colour, bleeding associated. If a freckle goes black and bleeds, its got to come off ASAP.

Medicine needs the patient to get to the Doctor , the longer you wait with your symptoms affects their ability to treat any disease process etc.

That 5000 baht u tried to save for the future, might cost u a lot more to extend your future.

Wazza, you mentioned a blood test for colon cancer. Do you know the medical term for this test? Is this the stool sample test where they look for traces of blood under a microscope?

My body is a mess. I'm about due for another colonoscopy since they found and removed benign polyps on the last one. Did get to look at some pretty pictures in color of the polyps before they snipped them off. Anyone know of a place in Udon or Khon Kaen where colonoscopies are performed? Can always go to Bumrungrad for it, I suppose.

Aznyron, you asked about MRI testing? MRI Clinic is across from the Udon Museum on Phosi Road. I had one done on my neck for 8000 baht.

Polehawk

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/conte ... _found.asp

For some reading on the blood test. - The American Cancer Society Site is well accreditted obviously

Im sure the Colonoscopy can be done in Udon , Simple and day surgery only.

They developed a vaccination now for Cervical Cancer, simple , easy , cost effective. Significant benefits world wide.

if referring to HPV vaccine, that has rightly been recieving some negative news, along w/32 people in the stattes diying from it, not to mention many with side effects. again, if getting yearly pap smear, Hpv is not really necessary, unless worried about gential warts, lol, and a bit active with a few diffenent suitors. seemed to me a good idea, but now seems to be back to the 'doom and gloom', merck money machine in the works.

but agree, yearly check ups are you best protection for your health. i go to camillian hospital in bkk, like their services, pricing, lab work. agree with another member, that their GYN program sucks, though fine for pap smear, though wouldn't want them to do anything else. have website w/pricing. we usually get the deluxe program, has pull down menu, maybe 3rd one over, in thai, but self explanatiory. if need explanation of terms, pull up bumreguard's in english and compare. had my barium enima done at pavytvinter/paolo for 2700 inclusive, professionally done, attention to details. a few do colonscopes now, though udon gov't hospital is cheapest and most experienced in the area, if you can deal with the hassles of gov't hosp. i can't anymore, last 2 times i almost lost it, so don't bother going there. if you go there for colonscope, you DO NOT need an EKG, to stick camera in you arse, just a pump the bill thing, refuse it.

good luck.

Wazza, thanks for that link. Definitely worth bookmarking as a keeper.

Looks like FOBT (fecal occult blood test) is the one I referred to earlier. Appears that the colonoscopy would be in my best interests because of the polyps. Will ask my doctor at AEK Udon next visit if I can have it done someplace locally.

Steering back to the topic, I have enough confidence in my doctor at AEK Udon (Dr. Aram) to get a complete physical under his direction anytime, make your own choice of the packages offered. He speaks very good English and will take the time to listen, which is always important. Better than a lot of doctors I saw in the US. I can highly recommend him.

LA, just noticed your mention of Udon Hospital doing colonoscopies. Thanks.