If you are over 50 or have a family history of digestive problems, even if you feel fine and haven’t noticed anything unusual, it is important to have your digestive health checked. Many conditions, including bowel cancer, can develop without causing any symptoms. Juaneda Hospitals offers the option of a personalised digestive health check-up.
The new Endoscopy Unit at Clínica Juaneda is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and a team specialising in the digestive system, led by Dr Álvaro Brotons, to carry out these tests safely and accurately. An early check-up can make all the difference and offer peace of mind.
With this unit, the Gastroenterology Department at Juaneda Hospitals is taking a significant step forward in the fight against diseases such as bowel cancer, a condition that is very common in our society: it is the third most common form of cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
“Given that its incidence is very high,” explains Dr Brotons, “the best way to tackle it is through early detection. Survival rates for colon cancer vary considerably depending on whether it is diagnosed at an early stage, at which point 95% of patients are cured, with no recurrence after five years. Endoscopy is the method used to diagnose the condition as early as possible.”
The groups at risk of colorectal cancer are, first and foremost, people over the age of 50, as the condition has been found to be much more common from that age onwards, as well as those with a family history of colorectal cancer, a history of colorectal polyps, or other conditions that increase the risk.
Dr Brotons emphasises the importance of taking all risk factors into account: ‘In this case, although it is not very common, inflammatory bowel disease can increase the risk of developing bowel cancer. In any event, it is important to bear in mind that bowel cancer, in its early stages, does not cause any symptoms.’
“Therefore,” he adds, “it is important to seek a diagnosis as soon as possible. That is why people aged between 50 and 75 are encouraged to take steps to rule out bowel cancer, either by undergoing an endoscopic examination or a faecal occult blood test, so that a colonoscopy can be recommended or requested directly.”
With this aim in mind, “at the Gastroenterology Department of Clínica Juaneda, we offer a range of diagnostic techniques and a multidisciplinary team comprising surgeons and oncologists to treat the condition, whilst we await advances in new anti-tumour treatments,” explains the specialist. He adds, sending out a positive message:
‘Patients should also approach other digestive conditions with optimism and without resigning themselves to suffering from “ailments”: there are many digestive problems that are very common in the general population, and for which there are solutions. Treatments can be provided to help improve our patients’ quality of life when faced with very common conditions.’
These include conditions such as ‘gastro-oesophageal reflux, which affects almost 30% of the population, or irritable bowel syndrome, a very common condition that causes a great deal of discomfort. There are treatments available for these conditions that significantly improve our patients’ quality of life. The same applies to fatty liver disease, which is closely linked to obesity.
“These are 21st-century conditions,” the specialist continues, “which also carry the added risk of developing into more serious problems; therefore, we must seek solutions. There are medical treatments, dietary treatments, and even endoscopic or surgical treatments for obesity, all aimed at improving health and reducing risks.”
“Very common digestive complaints, such as heartburn, bloating and diarrhoea, can be easily resolved. In these and other cases, even if they are not serious, I recommend visiting our Gastroenterology Department, where we will find a solution to improve the patient’s quality of life,” concludes Dr Brotons.
Dr Álvaro Brotons is the new head of the Gastroenterology Department and the Endoscopy Unit
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This state-of-the-art unit is revolutionising precision diagnostics and the patient experience, with a dedicated area within the hospital
Dr Álvaro Brotons, a specialist in gastroenterology and an expert in digestive endoscopy, with an outstanding track record in clinical practice, research and teaching, took up the post of Head of the Gastroenterology Department at Clínica Juaneda on 1 March. After years of association with the hospital group, he is now embarking on a phase of full-time dedication, marked by a major project: an Endoscopy Unit that is unique within the Balearic private healthcare sector.
“It’s a very exciting challenge because it allows us to offer complex techniques through a highly specialised approach that focuses on patient care,” says Dr Brotons, an expert in colonoscopy, “which is currently the most effective test for the prevention and early diagnosis of bowel cancer, and which also allows us to treat high-risk lesions during the same procedure, thereby avoiding surgery.”
“The fear is no longer about the procedure itself, because the patient feels no pain. The main concern is usually the outcome. That is why we support each person throughout the entire process, providing clear information and solutions,” explains Dr Brotons. A comprehensive care pathway has been designed, starting at Reception with a personalised welcome for the patient.
The next step involves preparation in a dedicated room, where the patient is monitored and prepared for sedation. From there, the patient is taken to the various endoscopy suites to undergo the procedure in rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The patient then recovers in the recovery room, gets dressed, and is accompanied to the doctor’s office, where they are given personalised medical advice.
Anyone wishing to take these tests can do so by booking an appointment on 971-280000, via the Juaneda Contigo app or on the website www.juaneda.es.