Blood Tests and Early Diagnosis: A Simple Step That Could Save Your Life

At The Clinica, we believe the best way to look after your health is by taking a proactive and preventative approach. By monitoring our patients’ health through annual screenings and checkups, not only can we prevent illness before it starts, but we can also catch early signs of disease and ensure the best possible outcomes.

In this post, we’ll be exploring the benefits of routine health checks, discussing who needs them, and sharing an eye-opening case study from our Medical Director and Founder that illustrates the life-saving power of early detection.

What Happens During a Preventative Health Check-Up?

Many of our patients see us once a year for their routine well check. During this appointment, we conduct a thorough evaluation of your overall wellbeing, which includes a detailed physical examination, a review of your medical history, and discussions about lifestyle, diet, and any symptoms or concerns. We also measure vital signs, such as blood pressure, and perform minor invasive investigations like blood tests. 

Following a well check appointment, the doctor provides a summary of your health status and will advise on any necessary recommendations, which can include lifestyle adjustments, further tests, or specialist referrals. 

If you have not been to The Clinica before, our GP can go through all these checks during an initial GP consultation and advise if any of the blood tests that we offer would be advisable for you.

Benefits of Annual Health Screenings 

When it comes to maintaining your health, it’s best to take a practical and proactive approach to your healthcare. Booking an annual health check not only allows you to stay informed about what’s going on inside your body, but it also keeps you in control and gives you peace of mind, knowing you’re in safe hands with a team of trusted professionals.

Another vital benefit of annual physical testing is that it allows for timely detection – something that’s crucial for preventing and treating critical illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease. When we spot signs of disease early or notice that a patient is at a greater risk of developing a condition, we’re able to step in and provide targeted treatment or advice.

“I’m a Healthy, Active Person” — Do I Still Need Regular Tests?

It’s only natural to wonder whether regular health tests are necessary for healthy, active people. After all, we’re constantly being told that regular exercise and a balanced diet are the secret to long, healthy lives. 

However, the truth is, even if you feel good in yourself, conditions such as high blood pressure, early-stages diabetes, and cancer can develop quietly without obvious symptoms. That’s why it is so critical to get checked out regularly.

As experienced doctors, we understand that these appointments aren’t always something people look forward to. That’s why we strive to make sure our health screenings are as seamless and as comfortable as possible. If there’s ever anything you’re concerned about leading up to your well check appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us to ask for advice. We’ll always do our best to facilitate any special arrangements you may need.

How Preventative Health Screenings Save Lives: A Patient Case Study

Our Medical Director and Founder Dr. Giulia Maria Leoni Sceti* knows all too well the importance of annual blood tests and health checks. Read her remarkable story of how she helped one patient spot early signs of cancer thanks to her quick-thinking, clinical intuition, and patient-first approach: 

On the 8th of November, one of our patients came in the late afternoon for their annual routine check, that also included some blood tests. This is something I encourage all patients to book in for, as it allows us to monitor health parameters over time. During the health checks, we requested blood tests for liver function, glycaemia, thyroid function and others, including markers to assess prostate health. PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a marker that can highlight the presence of prostatitis or prostate cancer.

At around 7:35 a.m. the next morning, I received the patient’s lab results, just as I was having breakfast with my daughter. At first glance, the PSA seemed only slightly out of the normal range at 0.01 ug/l— an increase so minimal that it could have easily been dismissed. However, I’d been monitoring this patient’s PSA levels for a number of years and had spotted a gradual upward trend. This was something that triggered my concern, as this kind of steady increase can indicate cancer and is very unlikely to be related to prostate inflammation (normally if there is prostatitis, the PSA increases very significantly).

Although it was a Saturday, I immediately reached out to both the patient and Prime Health Imaging Centre and managed to arrange an MRI scan with contrast for 6:15 p.m. that same evening. Thanks to a neutral working agreement I’ve established with them (we have no financial ties), they provided both imaging and a report on the same day, and by the time the patient had driven home, the report was in my inbox.

When I reviewed the findings from the MRI, I saw an enlarged area of inflammation was reported in the prostate. The report suggested that this was unlikely to be cancer due to the extent of the inflamed area. Yet, despite this conclusion, I couldn’t help but suspect otherwise. The patient was 41 years old, had no symptoms, and the PSA marker, although elevated, was not dramatically high — things didn’t entirely add up. In addition to that, there was significant family history of prostate cancer amongst his close relatives, as his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was 60 years old.

The following day was Sunday, so I decided to spend my time researching to find the best urologist to address my concerns. After finding a trusted consultant, I emailed their PA first thing on Monday morning, and she kindly arranged an appointment for that same afternoon at 3:15 p.m. in Cambridge.

Following the patient’s consultation, the urologist explained that he would need to consult with his multidisciplinary team but seemed reluctant to proceed with a biopsy, explaining that the PSA deviation was minimal and that his examination had revealed no abnormalities — the prostate was neither tender nor enlarged and the patient was not referring any symptoms. At this point, my suspicions that it could have been cancer increased. If inflammation was the cause, the prostate typically would have been tender and enlarged, but this wasn’t the case.

After a discussion between the consultant and his multidisciplinary team ten days later, the patient was eventually approved for a biopsy. The procedure, conducted in a private clinic in London, involved 21 samples, of which 15 showed signs of early-stage prostate cancer (Adenocarcinoma Gleason 3+4). Following this, we arranged a PET scan, which thankfully confirmed that the cancer hadn’t spread beyond the prostate, making surgery a viable option.

Surgery was therefore scheduled for the 15th January. Everything progressed smoothly, and he is now doing well and enjoying a healthy, happy life. Blood tests will now be repeated every 3 months to check if there is still any PSA in the bloodstream as this will be a sign of metastatic cancer. Our patient. Had his first PSA test after surgery on the 25th of March and PSA level was undetectable. A clear sign of full recovery! ”

A final word from Giulia: “As a doctor and Medical Director, I feel compelled to share these kinds of stories with you because they show how a simple action, like a regular blood test, enables us to detect subtle changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.”

This powerful testimonial is a reminder to all of us that preventive care and routine check-ups can truly save lives.

Patient’s Diagnosis and Treatment Timeline

• 8th November: Patient blood test
• 9th November: blood tests results + MRI scan with contrast and report
• 11th November: Consultation with Consultant Urologist
• 2nd December Biopsy: Conducted after multidisciplinary team approval
• 6th December: Biopsy results- Prostate Adenocarcinoma Gleason 3+4
• 16th December PET Scan: Confirmed no cancer spread
• 15th January: Surgical intervention
• 25th March: first PSA test after surgery
• 26th March: blood results received- patient is Prostate cancer free!

*Dr. Giulia Maria Leoni Sceti, MBBS (Hons), MSc (Merit), established The Clinica in 2023 with the vision of providing exceptional, patient-focused healthcare to local residents in Ascot, eliminating the need for them to commute to London. She is a deeply compassionate and diligent medical doctor with an extensive interest in nutrition and dietetics.