Health by Robert MacMillan MD Much attention is always paid to the importance of health promotion and disease prevention, but very little to the importance of an early diagnosis followed by early treatment for many conditions. In many cases, this advice applies particularly to snowbirds. This was brought to my attention recently when a close friend, having just returned from his three-month stay in Florida, phoned and asked if he could come and see me about a medical issue. At my house, he told me that upon arriving in Florida and during the three months he was there, he had developed a cough which had become progressively worse with increasing shortness of breath, fatigue and production of lots of phlegm. He was uneasy going for medical attention in the U.S., feeling that it was probably just a flu-like illness, even though he was fully covered by Medipac insurance. Had he contacted the assistance line or even called me, he would have been directed to an appropriate medical service. In the latter weeks in Florida, his explanation was that he would be home soon and seek attention fromhis own doctor. Unfortunately, by the time he arrived home he was so short of breath that he went immediately to the emergency department where a tumour and a large amount of fluid were found in his right lung. Furthermore, the CAT scan revealed a probable secondary tumour in his adrenal gland. After our discussion, he had the fluid withdrawn and a biopsy done, confirming the presence of lung cancer that had now spread. Surgery no longer being an option, he is now facing either immunotherapy or chemotherapy as the only choices. The lesson to be learned in this example is that there are many conditions which, if diagnosed early, may lead to a much better outcome. For a number of reasons, travellers and snowbirds are particularly vulnerable to delays in diagnosis – reducing their opportunity for early treatments and, in many cases, favourable prognoses. My own sister, EARLY DIAGNOSIS 34 | www.snowbirds.org
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