Health & Wellness Health checks

Another thread, concerning a much-admired member now seriously ill, raised the topic of health checks - in that case PSA for prostate cancer.

In no way would I wish to 'hijack' that sensitive thread and take it off topic (only within it to discuss the specifics of prostate screening) so I opened this thread to ask if anyone has experience of health checks within the Philippines.

In my home country I regularly received colon cancer kits but never returned them and also had a check for aortic aneurysm - I attended that one as I have seen the results of a sudden aortic aneurysm and the need to put in blood as fast as it is being lost (up to 30 pints - a big problem here due to the lack of blood for transfusion).

Anyone any experiences of any local (or Cebu-based) important health checks?

 

To be honest I don’t have any kind of personal experience with doctors or hospitals in the Philippines.

Hence I am still working on rotation schedule, 8/3, I always saw the doctor abroad, but not in the Philippines.

Actually I am thinking about to settle finally in Duma. Am already 4 years here, 11 in total in the Philippines.

There is no doubt that having good doctors in place is an essential part of Expats life. Would appreciate if we could develop kind of list or summary here based on experiences and covering various disciplines.

 

I very recently wrote a piece here asking for experiences of various doctors so I could produce a list covering all areas of healthcare so that it is immediately at hand in case of urgency.

A number gave positive 'Agree' etc but no one actually recounted their experiences.

 

I just arrived and till yet I honestly speaking have no experience with doctors or hospitals or whatsoever.

Will try to interview some friends that are around here since a longer time than myself.

Anyway, we should follow up. It’s a serious matter and each of us could benefit of it.

 

True. Nice guy Mr S-N.

 

Our Silliman experience. Started with my wife following her pregnancy and eventually “C” Section birth of my son with lady GYN Doctor Uy 7 yrs ago, very positive experience. Man Pediatrician Dr. Ongkingko, 7 years caring for my son, very knowledgeable and positive experience, lady Neurologist Dr. Dipatado, helped me survive a serious stroke for the last five years, still alive so positive. My concern is all 3 of these specialists are getting old, my guess past senior age. Lots of experience will be lost when they retire. Younger doctors I used abd recommend are Urologist Dr. Ozzoa, and EEN doctor (forget his name). No complaints other than the clinic rather than appointment orocess sucks.

 

BUT .... ONLY about 1 death (0.1%) from prostate cancer would be avoided .... 120 of us (12%) would have a false-positive test result .... 100 (10%) would be diagnosed with prostate cancer, of whom at least 60 (6%) would have a serious complication from treatment.

Do the math.

 

I realise you are trying to be helpful, but I have only a 0.1% chance of avoiding death by taking the tests but a 12% chance of a false positive (thus causing me problems in treatment). We all have to balance risks and I prefer to take the 99.9% chance I am not the unlucky one (not that I want to open the thread again about luck!). Age is a factor in such decisions and as still a very young man you will not think in that way (and may never do).