My Generation August 2010 - Keep Me Current

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4 Advanced medical testing Cough up a lot of money for these By Taryn Plumb We’re all familiar with the regular-old heckup: the waiting, the johnny, the coughng. But how about this instead? Full body scans nd body composition analyses, blood tests creening for dozens of diseases, EKGs and AT scans, and intimate, in-depth discussions ith dozens of specialists and therapists. It’s called advanced medical testing, and, articularly geared toward the well-heeled oomer set, it’s the cutting edge in undertanding bodily functions, interior makeup, ancer and disease risks, as well as genetic oots – if you’ve got the cash for it, of course. Brace yourself. Prices range anywhere from $500 to $6,000, depending on your age and how in-depth you go want to go. And, although some limited aspects of the tests can be billed to insurance companies, according to experts, the bulk of the bill is yours to foot. Here in Maine, options are limited – but those willing to take a trip have many more opportunities to plumb the boundaries of their own bodies. In Boston, for instance, Massachusetts General Hospital offers an “executive physical program,” comprising several hours of examination, according to its website. The extent of the exam is based on the American Medical Association’s age and gen- der guidelines, as well as the patient’s medical history, according to Mass General. But typically, it includes a comprehensive physical, colorectal cancer screening, EKG, body composition analysis, hearing and visual tests, immunizations, and various lab tests examining urine, cholesterol, blood sugar, and thyroid, liver and kidney function. Women also get a pap smear; men, a prostate exam. Not extensive enough? Additional components (subject to extra fees) can include a mammogram, audiology evaluation, eye examination with glaucoma screening, nutrition consult, chest X-ray, cardiac arrest test, dermatology evaluation, bone density test, and a colonoscopy, according to Mass General. When you’ve made the right decision, you know. Even though we knew it was time, moving to an assisted living community was one of the hardest decisions we’ve ever had to make. But I knew we’d made the right choice when we decided to come here. I never dreamed it would feel so much like home. And it’s good to know we won’t have to move again if our financial situation changes. We looked at a lot of places. The moment we decided on the Inn at Village Square, we knew we’d made the right choice. Inn at Village Square AN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY At the end of all this, the patient receives a confi dential, detailed report, including recommendations, which can be passed along to his or her primary care doctor. Looking to make more of a trip out of it? Similar all-encompassing physicals can be had at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, and the Greenbrier Clinic in West Virginia. But if all that’s a little too overwhelming – or if you prefer to simply focus in on a particular problem area – try the ScanDirectory of Boston. Clients can get 64-slice CT scans using rotating X-rays, virtual colonoscopies, (Continued on Page 5) 123 School Street, Gorham, ME | 207-839-5101 | www.innatvillagesquare.org
Advanced medical testing (Continued from Page 4) and scans of the body, brain, heart, head, lungs, and carotid artery, according to the company’s website. Meanwhile, Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass., offers a panoply of intensive blood tests through the company Biophysical. For starters, the Biophysical250 is named for its function – it surveys 250 biomarkers in the blood that indicate risks for cancer, hormonal imbalances, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular, autoimmune, viral and bacterial diseases. Cost? $3,400, according to Biophysical’s website. Other tests use biomarkers to scrutinize sex hormones, fatigue, appetite and obesity, or changes in aging; a few simply assess overall health conditions. But going beyond medical makeup, if you have more of a historical interest in where you came from, there’s also DNA testing for ncestry. With an at-home cheek swab kit – costng $245 through www.determigene.com – lab techs use DNA to hypothesize which anthropological native region you originated from, and can also match you with populations across the globe, as well as identify the various strengths of those particular populations. In any case, you’re not likely to come away saying, “Was that it?” A closer look For more information on advanced medical testing, visit these sites: http://www.massgeneral.org/executivehealthservices/programs/executivephysicalprogram.aspx http://www.scandirectory.com/fa cility/ma//boston-diagnostic-group http://www.biophysicalcorp.com/ http://www.determigene.com/ detail_ancestry.asp The Deliciously Sweet AUGUST 2010 The Hundred Dollar Deal Deal It’s simple…Get an Auto Loan* with Cumberland County Federal Credit Union… Get $100 Cash Purchasing? We have great rates & the payment you want – period. Already have an auto loan? Refi nance with us. We’ll do what we can to lower your payment at an affordable rate. Call for a today quick and easy loan closing at the branch of your choice! www.cctfcu.com Falmouth • 878-3441 Portland • 797-6492 Gray • 657-4777 Windham • 892-3359 *Offer subject to fi nal loan approval, $12,000 minimum loan amount, and 36 months minimum loan term length. Special offer not available on refi nance of existing Cumberland County Federal Credit Union auto loans. Offer available through July 31, 2010. 5
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My Generation August 2010 - Keep Me Current

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