Britons too embarrassed to visit a doctor, says new BUPA report

75px-Bupa.pngMore than half of Britons ignore potentially serious health problems in the hope that they will go away. Others worry about wasting GPs time and still more are too embarrassed to visit a doctor.

Others  listed the difficulties of getting to see a doctor as an excuse.  And surprisingly the unemployed are most likely to delay seeing a doctor in the face of serious health symptoms.

In this video below Dr Annabel Bentley, Medical Director at Bupa Health and Wellbeing reveals that these  worrying figures obtained via YouGov research of almost 4,400 Britons and provides her advice on what symptoms to look out for and when to make an appointment with your GP.

Research published by Bupa reveals that two in five people (39%) have delayed visiting their doctor; even if they believed their symptoms could be potentially serious. The study also identified that the unemployed are the most likely to delay visiting a GP (50%) when potentially grave symptoms appeared – even though early stage diagnosis is associated with better survival rates for many diseases, including cancer. Over half of Britons say they have put off having their symptoms checked out because they hoped they would ‘simply go away’, with 1 in 10 saying they had delayed making an appointment due to embarrassment. 
One in three people (32%) put off having their worrying symptoms checked out because they didn’t want to waste their GP’s time and three in ten (29%) delayed calling the doctor because it was difficult to make an appointment or find a convenient time. Yet, early stage diagnosis can be hugely important, especially in cancer cases where Department of Health figures1 show that of those diagnosed early with bowel cancer (England’s third most common cancer), more than nine out of ten people survive for at least five years, compared with less than one in ten (6%) of those diagnosed at a late stage. 
However Bupa’s survey shows that less than half of people (44%) would make an appointment with their GP if they noticed a change in their bowel habits over a few weeks – a common symptom of the illness. 
The research also revealed that potentially serious symptoms could be going unchecked owing to a lack of awareness of what to look out for. Well-known serious symptoms including unexpected lumps or a change in a mole were more likely to prompt a trip to the GP, but other serious symptoms – which could turn out to be more significant than they seem – were less likely to do so: · Five in ten people (53%) would not make an urgent appointment if they suffered a persistent cough or hoarseness that lasted for more than a few weeks. 
People aged over 55 were more aware of most symptoms listed apart from impotence – only one in six of over-55s (16%) would visit the doctor about impotence, compared to one in three 18-24 year olds (32%). Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other medical conditions so it’s very important for men to talk to their doctor about it. · Four in ten people (42%) would not make an urgent appointment if they suffered unexplained weight loss.
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Dr Nick Delgado – California

10% discount on Gold Rejuvenation Programme

Dr Nick Delgado PhD, CHT is a leading authority on anti-ageing and sexual medicine. He also specialises in hormone replacement therapy and nutraceuticals to aid rejuvenation.

To find out more:

www.ultimatemedresearch.com

Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic, Harley Street, London

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20% discount on all treatments
Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic
98 Harley Street
London
W1G 7HZ
T: + 44 (0)20 7935 0986
Website: www.harleystreetskin.co.uk
Email: enquiries@harleystreetskin.co.uk

About the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic
The Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic, offers the best advice and treatments to protect, repair and cosmetically enhance the appearance and texture of your skin, all from our conveniently located clinic, in the heart of London. Dr Aamer Khan is one of the most experienced medical professionals in the UK in the field of injectables and beauty aesthetics, including fillers and body sculpting such as SmartLipo.

Doctor fined for prescribing diet pills for giant cyst

Wellington: A New Zealand doctor has been fined for prescribing diet pills for a woman after he failed to detect a giant 14.7 kg cyst in her abdomen.

The doctor, who was not named, was fined 22,500 dollars ($14,860) by a disciplinary tribunal after he was found to have failed to meet the standards required of a doctor.

The patient had visited the doctor several times in 2003 and 2004 complaining of stomach pain and weight gain. But the doctor failed to examine her, give her a blood test or an ultra sound scan and instead prescribed diet pills.

The 44-year-old woman later had to be rushed to hospital where the cancerous cyst, containing 10 litres of fluid, was removed and a hysterectomy performed.

Sir Roy Meadow – UK – 16 July 2005

PROFESSOR Sir Roy Meadow, whose evidence led to three mothers being wrongly convicted of murdering their babies, was struck off the medical register yesterday.

The 72-year- old doctor was found guilty of serious professional misconduct after he was found to have given ‘erroneous’ and ‘misleading’ evidence in court which led to long jail terms for the women, Sally Clark, Angela Cannings and Donna Anthony.

The decision by the General Medical Council destroys his reputation. He was knighted for his work as a paediatrician, and even after he was accused of making mistakes he was still in demand as a lecturer in child health around the world.

The verdict was greeted with relief by the families torn apart by Meadow’s evidence.

Mrs Clark’s father, 75-year-old retired police superintendent Frank Lockyer – who brought the case against Meadow – was in tears.

His daughter, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was jailed in 1999 for smothering her two sons, 12-week- old Christopher and eight-week-old Harry, but was freed on appeal in 2003.

Mr Lockyer said: ‘Now perhaps we as a family can put the last seven years of hell behind us and move on.

‘I remember the words of my daughter on the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice when she said there are no winners here, only tragedy.

‘Clearly the system of expert witnesses has got to be looked at.’

Mr Lockyer added: ‘The Royal College of Paediatrics has a lot to answer for because the hierarchy have persistently refused to accept that there was something wrong. They buried their heads in the sand.’

George Hawks, solicitor for Donna Anthony, who was jailed for life in 1998 after being convicted of the murder of her 11-month old daughter Jordan and four-month-old son Michael, said she took no pleasure in Meadow’s downfall.

He said: ‘He was being paid to give expert evidence and he got it horribly wrong. It’s never nice for anyone to have their career ruined in this way.’ The three women were all convicted of murdering their babies and jailed for life after Meadow, a world-renowned expert in child abuse, testified against them.

In the case of Sally Clark, Meadow said the probability of two cot deaths in the same family was 73million to one.

However, studies suggest the figure is probably closer to 64 to one, and experts say that the statistics presented by Meadow did not take into account the genetic link between siblings which could result in both dying through natural causes.

Meadow also likened the deaths of Mrs Clark’s two children as being equivalent to the chances of picking four different horses to win the Grand National in consecutive years at odds of 80-1.

In the case of Donna Anthony, who was accused of of killing her daughter Jordan, aged 11 months, and her son Michael, aged four months, in 1998, Meadow said the chances of two cot deaths in a case such as hers were one in a million, another statistic later discredited.

Mary Clark-Glass, head of the GMC’s disciplinary panel, said Meadows had to be struck off the medical register to safeguard the public interest. She told him: ‘You are an eminent paediatrician whose reputation was renowned throughout the world and so your eminence and authority carried with it a unique responsibility to take meticulous care in a case of this grave nature.

‘You should not have strayed into areas that were not within your remit of expertise. Your misguided belief in the truth of your arguments is both disturbing and serious.’

Meadow, of Weeton, North Yorkshire, who was knighted for services to child health upon his retirement from the post of Professor of Paediatrics at St James’ University Hospital, Leeds, in 1998, left the hearing without comment.

His supporters have claimed he has been made a ‘scapegoat’ for the failures of others. Last night Sir Alan Craft, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said he was saddened by the case and said Meadow, a former head of the College, had saved the lives of many children during his 40-year career.

Tom Magner, of the Society of Expert Witnesses, said: ‘The severity of the penalty will cause many expert witnesses, particularly doctors, to reconsider whether to offer their services to the courts.’

Dr Kazi Huq – UK – 23 August 2005

A WOMAN died from cancer four years after her GP failed to act on test results showing she had the disease.

Xenoulla Poxilaris should have been referred for surgery in 2001 after a biopsy revealed a mole removed from her back had been malignant.

But GP Dr Kazi Huq failed to pass the results to Mrs Poxilaris or refer her back to hospital despite her family repeatedly calling to ask about the situation.

She was eventually diagnosed with cancer two years later. But by then the disease had spread and she died aged 53 in May this year.

Now her husband Andreas is suing Dr Huq, who saw his wife seven times in two years after the mole was removed without revealing it had been a malignant melanoma – the deadliest type of skin cancer.

Mr Poxilaris, a 59-year-old barber, said: ‘Dr Huq has ruined our lives and taken away my wife and my daughter’s mother. I know she would still be here if the doctor had done her job.

‘We kept calling the surgery to get the results but we just kept being told they did not have them. Then they said if we didn’t hear anything it meant my wife was in the clear and there was nothing for us to worry about and you trust your doctor implicitly.

‘She was my wife, my best friend, my partner, everything, but now that is finished and I have nothing.’

Mrs Poxilaris, a dressmaker, had the mole removed by Dr Huq at the Riley House Surgery in Enfield, North London, in April 2001 and the tissue was sent away for a biopsy.

A letter dated April 14, 2001, addressed to Dr Huq and marked ‘urgent’ states that malignant melanoma had been found. But for some reason it was filed away without being acted upon.

In January 2003, Mrs Poxilaris went back to her GP’s surgery after noticing a lump in her groin but her husband says she was told she had an infection and given antibiotics.

Her condition deteriorated and eventually she underwent blood tests and was referred to Chase Farm Hospital in North London.

Specialists found the growth in her groin was cancerous and that she also had a large inoperable tumour in her stomach. She was given a 20 per cent chance of survival and despite undergoing chemotherapy at the Royal Free Hospital in North London, she died on May 3.

Mr Poxilaris and his wife were both born in Cyprus but met in the UK and married 36 years ago.

‘Mum was the heart and soul of our family and it feels like a light has gone out,’ said their daughter Maria, 23, a student who lives with her father in Enfield.

Mr Poxilaris added: ‘My wife died a death you wouldn’t wish on a dog. She was in excruciating pain and despite trying as hard as she could to fight the disease it was too late for her to beat it.

‘I would warn anyone with a worry over cancer to always get a second opinion so that mistakes like this can be spotted early on.’

The Poxilaris’ solicitor, John Kyriacou, said: ‘At the time the mole was removed, if everything around it was excised it would have given her a 95 per cent chance of normal life expectancy.

‘It was completely treatable at that stage.

‘The GP should have called her in straightaway and said, “you are going back to hospital”. Neither of the hospitals involved have done anything wrong and the family have nothing but praise for them.’

A spokesman for the Medical Defence Union, which is representing Dr Huq, said it could not comment on the case. Dr Huq no longer works at Riley House.

Dr Andre Berger, Rejuvalife Institute, Beverly Hills

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Health that shows  – Age that doesn’t!

Andre Berger, MD
A visionary in the emerging field of holistic and anti-aging medicine, Dr. Andre Berger, is the driving force behind Rejuvalife Vitality Institute, a medical, cosmetic and therapeutic practice located in Beverly Hills, CA. With the strong belief that a balance of complementary therapy, traditional medicine and non-surgical cosmetic procedures are the key to our emotional, physical and mental well-being, Dr. Berger is at the forefront of this emerging and innovative specialty.

Focusing on prevention rather than the just the cure, Dr. Berger’s philosophy incorporates a holistic approach to anti-aging therapies, with a special emphasis on customized patient care, education and lifestyle changes. The best of both eastern and western medicines, hormone replacement therapies and weight management programs combined with non-invasive cosmetic enhancement procedures such as Botox, Restylane, IPL, Mesotherapy, Thread Lift, are the foundation of Dr Berger’s comprehensive medical practice.

Drawing on over 26 years of experience in clinical and medical management, pharmacology, neutraceuticals and emergency medicine, Dr. Berger is leading the way with effective evidence-based holistic and anti-aging therapies.

Dr. Berger’s on-going quest to further promote a greater understanding of the rejuvenating and life-enhancing benefits of holistic and anti-aging therapies, make him a sought after speaker at national and international conferences. Popular speaking topics include, among others, “Cosmetic and Anti-Aging Practice of the 21st Century” “The Secrets of Youthful Aging”, and “What You Need to Know About Hormones and Anti-Aging”. He is also an active member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the American College of Nutrition, and the American Academy of Endocrinologists.

Dr. Berger received his Medical Degree from University of Ottawa and completed his residency at McGill University in Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology. Dr. Berger is also Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and Holistic Medicine is an active member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, The American College of Nutrition, and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The American Society of Aesthetic Mesotherapy and the American Academy of Bio-energetic Medicine.

A prolific researcher and writer, Dr. Berger is the author of several publications including, Anti-Aging and Rejuvenation from the Inside Out. His knowledge and experience in the anti-aging field have led to his appointment as contributing editor and medical advisor to Cosmedical Magazine and leading advisor at the Magazine and leading advisor at the Cosmetic Enhancement Expo. Dr. Beger’s work has been written about in several papers such as the Beverly Hills Courier, and the Westside Weekly. He is also president and CEO of Absolute Health Sciences, and a founding member of Productive Living LLC.

An avid reader, tennis player and world traveler, Dr. Berger lives and works in Beverly Hills with Tracy, his wife of 15 years, and their three children, Adam, Joshua and Gabrielle and their dog Bingo.

Dr Andre Berger, Medical Director, Rejuvalife Vitality Insititute, 9400 Brighton Way, Suite 405, Beverly Hills, California 90210. www.rejuvalife.md info@rejuvalife.md

Dr. Andre Berger brings a unique approach to wellness and anti-aging medicine by using an East meets West approach. Dr. Berger uses the most cutting edge technologies that Western Medicine has to offer to scientifically assess the needs of your body. He concentrates on the finding the root of any potential problems by gauging cellular functions and energy levels, and then uses a holistic approach to manage health and/or cosmetic concerns by addressing hormonal, nutritional, metabolic and psychological factors.

Understanding that health, beauty and wellness are inextricably connected, Dr. Berger created Rejuvalife Vitality Institute to bridge the gap between traditional medical practices and medi-spas. Dr. Berger specializes in new, exciting non-surgical procedures including the Thread Lift and Mesotherapy.

The “Face Up” Thread lift is a non-invasive alternative to a face lift that uses suture threads inserted into the subcutaneous fat layers to “lift up” sagging jowls, eyes and neck. One of the premier specialists of this procedure, Dr. Berger holds quarterly training sessions to educate other physicians on how to bring this exciting procedure to their own practices.

Mesotherapy is a non-surgical alternative to liposuction, using a series of tiny injections on various sections of the body to breakdown and remove fat deposits or cellulite.

In addition to the cosmetic enhancement services offered, Dr. Berger also employs a variety of holistic practices to return the body to optimal health and vitality. These services include: weight loss and fitness, hormone replacement therapy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, chelation therapy and heavy metal detoxification, homeopathy, stress management and disease specific therapies.

Dr Pierre Cloutier MD – Quebec

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Dr Pierre Cloutier MD
Member of the American Academy of Anti-Ageing Medicine
2457 du Versant
Magog, Quebec, Canada
T/F: 819 847-8478
drcloutier@cgocable.ca
http://sites.rapidus.net/pieclout/

A specialist in anti-ageing medicine, Dr Cloutier uses blood testing and health/lifestyle questionnaire to determine the correct treatments. He will advise on lifestyle changes, nutrition, vitamins and minters, hormone replacement and medication.

Aloha Medical Center – Hawaii

Aloha Medical Center, 460 Ena Road, Suite 603, Waikiki
808-732-0888
Aloha Medical Center
460 Ena Road, Suite 603
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

(808) 732-0888

Aloha Medical Center is a physician-directed center, which offers growth hormone replacement, hyperbaric oxygen, intravenous (IV) nutrition therapy, and many other anti-aging therapies.

HGH Technology

Somatotropin, the medical name for Human Growth Hormone, is produced in the laboratory using technology that copies the natural growth hormone molecule. It produces a 100% physically, chemically, and biologically identical molecule to the HGH produced by the pituitary gland. This technology is known as recombinant DNA technology.

HGH is a FDA-Approved Drug

In August, 1996, the FDA approved Human Growth Hormone for use in adult patients for the first time. Before this approval, it was only authorized for use to promote growth in shortstatured children with HGH deficiencies. Now HGH can be prescribed for hormone-deficient adults as well as to delay the aging process. Restoring the body with youthful hormone levels is an important key to living a stronger, healthier, and happier life.

Injectable HGH versus Oral HGH

As HGH is a large and complex protein, it is not absorbed intact and must be taken by injection. If HGH were taken by mouth it would be digested in the stomach and become inactivated. Injection of the Human Growth Hormone bypasses the digestive system completely. This injectable HGH requires a prescription.

Signs of Human Growth Hormone Deficiency

The psychological and emotional symptoms of HGH deficiency include a reduced sense of well being, low energy, low vitality, decreased capacity for work, and emotional lability, which encompasses mood swings, anxiety, depression, and increased social isolation. Important physical signs include increased body fat, especially around the waist (apple-shaped rather than pear shaped), decrease in muscle mass, and thin, wrinkled, or prematurely aged skin. Other symptoms may consist of the following: reduced cardiac performance, poor sleep, decreased muscle mass and strength, and little to no sex drive.

Aging Process

Aging takes place at a more rapid pace when your hormone levels start to decrease. Once the hormone levels begin dropping, your body starts to change. You tend to gain weight easier, you’re not as athletic, you tend to be more uptight about things, and you’re depressed more frequently. These are all signs that your hormone levels are getting lower. Natural hormones are protective of normal bodily functions, and aging is related to the loss of these hormones. Replacing the hormone level to youthful levels delays the aging process. HGH is said to be the “Fountain of Youth.”

FAQ

Q. How do I get started?
A. Follow the directions on www.HGHPharm.com

Q. How long will it take before I start to see some results?
A. You can start to see and feel results as early as one week. Sometimes a little longer. The longer you are on this type of therapy the better your chances of seeing and feeling more benefits.

Q. How do I know if this therapy is right for you?
A. We are networked with certain diagnostic laboratories in Hawaii and the mainland. These laboratories handle and perform all of the required blood tests to determine where your hormone levels are and where they should be.

Q. How do I get my prescription?
A. Once we receive your laboratory test results, one of our physicians will review that information along with the information collected from the initial history and physical evaluation. If appropriate, a course of HGH can then be prescribed and initiated.

Q. How long does this process take?
A. It will take about a week and a half: this will allow time to have the blood tests performed and have the test results sent back to us.

Q. Where do I get my HGH?
A. Follow the directions on www.HGHPharm.com

NOTE: Human Growth Hormone is available only by prescription and regulated by the Federal Food and Drug Association. In order for our physicians to prescribe HGH to you they must establish a doctor-patient relationship with you. This is to make sure the therapy chosen is right for you.

www.HGHPharm.com

www.lipolyte.com

The medical procedure is called “Lipo-Lyte”. A special mixture of purified lecithin, vitamins and nutrients is injected into the fatty areas, like the saddle bags, love handles and arm flab. These injections work by triggering fat dissolving enzymes responsible for breaking down and dissolving fat, as well as for slimming and smoothing the skin.

The Lipo-Lyte Injection system, available in Europe and the mainland for years, is now available in Hawaii.

How it works: Phosphatidyl choline (lecithin) and a special mixture of other natural vitamins and nutrients are injected into the fatty areas, like the buttocks, thighs or “love handles” and work by triggering enzymes responsible for breaking down and dissolving fat, as well as for slimming and smoothing the skin.

What areas can be treated ?

Lipo-Lite is not a replacement for liposuction because, so far, it has only been used on small amounts of fat. It is perfect for the person who wants to lose that last 5 pounds on the thighs, “love handles”, sagging stomach, the underarm flab, or those fat pads under the eyes.