Most doctors recommend regular check-ups and cancer screening. The tests that are most widely used to screen for various cancers include mammograms, pap, and HPV (human papillomavirus) tests, colonoscopies and stool tests (high-sensitivity fecal occult blood tests and stool DNA), skin exams, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests. The purpose of these screening tests is to:
- find cancer in the earliest stage
- reduce the chance of death from cancer
- have more benefits than harms (avoid physical damage, false-positive or false-negative results, over-diagnosis)
But does this represent the most comprehensive check-up? When it comes to cancer and other major health issues, many additional cancer screenings help to improve outcomes. The Sanoviv Integrative Physical and Medical screenings that are part of each program go beyond what is recommended to provide the most comprehensive health check-up.
The Comprehensive Check-up That Includes Cancer Screening
At Sanoviv, every program includes an ultrasound, which is generally not standard in conventional medicine’s physical examination. Ultrasound is a safe imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves (no radiation) to create pictures of organs, tissues, and other structures inside the body. Sometimes the result shows a suspicious finding, prompting the doctor to investigate further.
Ultrasound Can be the Key to Cancer Screening
An ultrasound can detect tumors (benign and malignant) in soft tissues and help with proper diagnosis. Based on a person’s history, symptoms, and clinical findings, the doctor may order a more detailed ultrasound of specific areas such as the thyroid, breasts, and abdomen. Other tests including specific blood tests, scans, bioenergetic screenings, or biopsies may be ordered to support a proper diagnosis. Your medical evaluation also includes a complete health and lifestyle history as part of a one-hour visit with your treating physician. You will be asked about diet, lifestyle, supplements, exposure to toxic substances, and your emotions. This is a unique approach that ensures the doctor does not miss anything.
Nutrition
Diet and nutrition are important modifiable factors that may affect the risk of developing cancer. Dietary components such as alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, excessive sugar, and dietary fiber can significantly impact cancer risk. Nutrition is a lifestyle factor that can have a major influence on cancer outcomes. Your Sanoviv check-up includes a comprehensive nutritional assessment and dietary recommendations based on your history, symptoms, and diagnosis. Your nutritionist helps you understand the power of a healthy, whole-food, anti-inflammatory diet and guides you toward beneficial changes. Many chronic health conditions are preventable and manageable through diet. Did your last physical address disease prevention through diet and nutrition?
Psychology
Does your regular medical check-up include a psychological assessment? This is important since toxic relationships, negative emotions, and certain personality factors can contribute to cancer risk. Some studies have identified a type C (cancer-prone) person as someone who copes with stressful life events and loss by depressive symptoms and suppression of emotions. The type C person is also characterized by a tendency to defer their own needs to the needs of others. Although personality as a risk factor for developing cancer remains debatable, such a pattern could contribute to cancer through immune and hormonal pathways.
Another important consideration is the fact that most people who are given a cancer diagnosis don’t have adequate time or support to process it. They are often rushed into treatment uninformed and afraid. One recent study showed the importance of focusing on the relationship between a patient and caregivers when a person receives a cancer diagnosis. After all, a cancer diagnosis can affect the whole family.
At Sanoviv, psychologists and Mind-Body practitioners are available to help evaluate and reduce your risk for cancer based on psychological factors and to support and process a cancer diagnosis for the patient and the primary caregivers.
Are These Part of Your Typical Cancer Screening?
Did your last medical or dental check-up stress the importance of treatment if you have periodontal disease? Many studies show that periodontal disease is a risk factor for breast cancer among women and effective periodontal treatment may be a valuable preventive measure against breast cancer. In fact, a specific bacteria, fusobacterium nucleatum (FN), one of the most abundant species in the oral cavity, in both diseased and healthy people, plays a significant role in female-specific breast cancer. That means, even if you do not have periodontal disease, but have mild gingivitis (which can cause an imbalance of bacteria in the mouth), you can have an increased risk for breast cancer. This bacteria is also associated with root canal infections. The Sanoviv dental assessment is an important part of the comprehensive evaluation.
A recent systematic review of physical activity in cancer prevention found strong evidence for an association between highest versus lowest physical activity levels and reduced risks of breast, bladder, colon, endometrial, esophageal, kidney, and stomach cancers. The review concluded that Guidelines for Physical Activity (from the Department of Health and Human Services, 2nd Edition) are associated with reduced risk and improved survival for several cancers. The Sanoviv fitness assessment and activity recommendations help guide you to a reduced risk.
A General Check-up Usually Omits Chiropractic
Not many people would think of having a chiropractic screening for cancer. However, when you consider that prostate cancer is one of the most common male cancers and it tends to spread to bony parts of the body, such as the hip, spine, and pelvis, routine screening for musculoskeletal symptoms by a chiropractor is a good idea.
A 2023 study highlighted the case of a 62-year-old male who visited a chiropractor for worsening hip pain after running a marathon. Other practitioners he visited diagnosed degenerative conditions and prescribed anti-inflammatory medications and acupuncture. The chiropractor, who was aware of the association between hip pain and prostate cancer, requested more in-depth imaging which revealed bone metastasis as a cause of his hip pain. Although he had no history of cancer, the patient was then referred to an oncologist. This study focused on the need for a comprehensive evaluation of patients with hip or bone pain during a chiropractic assessment.
A Sanoviv Story That Shows the Importance of Thorough Cancer Screening
The benefit of a comprehensive physical with ultrasound is early diagnosis. When I asked Dr. Ortega, Sanoviv’s Oncologist, for a case that shows the importance of early diagnosis and proper treatment, this is what he shared:
It Started With an Integrative Physical
“One of the most memorable recent cases we had was a 57-year-old female patient. She came in two years ago with a previous diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis. She had multiple treatments for both conditions but without significant improvement. So, she came to Sanoviv in our Integrative Physical program for a comprehensive evaluation. One of the red flags was her long evolution of symptoms that did not improve with treatment but should have.
The History and Ultrasound Were Crucial
During the ultrasound screening (which is part of every program) we found a significant image that can correlate with colon cancer. We ordered some different tests, including colonoscopy and biopsies. From that, we detected tumor activity in the descending colon and performed a biopsy. That confirmed she had colon cancer. Fortunately, she did not have any metastatic disease although she had symptoms for nearly two years. She immediately started the Sanoviv Cancer Treatment Program with immunotherapy treatments and underwent surgery to remove the tumor.
A Positive Outcome
All this occurred within four weeks under one roof after which she went home with a complete program including, diet, medication, supplements, and lifestyle changes. At her recent follow-up, just a couple of months ago, her scans and blood work showed no evidence of disease. This is a good example of how finding cancer at an early stage and applying the treatment, including diet and lifestyle changes, yields positive outcomes.
Proper screening is vital for detecting cancers in the early stages. Sanoviv evaluates a person’s different risk factors to determine which patients need additional testing. This includes an assessment of their medical and dental health, diet, exercise, lifestyle, environmental exposure, structure, and emotional balance. This complete evaluation by all departments is the key to early detection of disease. And when the patient complies with our home program recommendations along with subsequent follow-up at Sanoviv, we have the most positive outcomes.”
| Ramses Ortega, MD |
| Sanoviv Oncologist |
Consider Sanoviv for your regular comprehensive health assessment, which goes above and beyond the typical conventional “physical.” Keep in mind, that your Sanoviv medical team includes a doctor, biological dentist, chiropractor, nutritionist, psychologist, fitness professional, Mind-Body practitioner, and energy medicine specialist. It’s the most complete integrative assessment in the world. Contact our admissions department to learn more.
