World Health Day is celebrated annually on April 7th to draw attention to specific health concerns faced by many across the globe. Here in Cayman, we’re grateful to work alongside our partners in health to establish high-quality healthcare practices, services and offer state-of-the-art technologies to better care for our patients. Under this year’s theme for World Health Day, “Health for All” we’re celebrating our partnership with Integra Healthcare Ltd, who we joined forces with in May 2022 to support our local island community and international patients with the most comprehensive care available in the Caribbean. Together, we’re co-developing next-generation healthcare, right here in the Cayman Islands.

Here’s how:

Integra Healthcare specializes in a variety of different healthcare needs for their patients; these include:

• Family Health and Medicine
• Otolaryngology (ENT)
• Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery
• Midwifery Services
• Fertility Services
• Gynaecology Services
• High-risk Obstetrics
• Fetal Medicine
• Paediatrics
• Newborn and Neonatal Care
• Dermatology + Paediatric and Adolescent Dermatology
• Skin Cancer Screening
• Vaccinations and Screenings

The Integra Healthcare Paediatrics team is the largest on the Island, with several neonatologists from tertiary London teaching hospitals. The OBGYN team includes Dr. Madhavi Manoharan, who has advanced training in fetal medicine, and Lisa Joels, who specializes in diagnosing and treating infertility.

Doctor’s Hospital offers the most advanced diagnostics and hospital services. The services offered include:

• Neurology
• Interventional Radiology
• Orthopaedics and Traumatology
• Rheumatology
• Cardiology
• General Practice
• Oncology
• Paediatrics
• Radiology
• Health Screening
• Surgery (General Surgery, Colorectal Cancer Surgery, to name a few.)
• 24/7 Urgent Care
• Child and Adolescent Health
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Anesthesiology
• Diet and Nutrition

Doctors Hospital offers state-of-the-art imaging technology. This includes the most advanced CT machines to date; the 512-slice GE Revolution CT with 2nd Generation Gemstone Dual Energy and 16cm coverage. This machine offers faster scanning, lower doses of radiation, and provides the most precise images than any machines on Island. The CT scan is not the only state-of-the-art machine at Doctors Hospital, but also the MRI. Again, this is one of the most advanced MRI machines to date; the 1.5 Tesla GE Signa AIR Voyager with Deep Learning Reconstruction.

Do you have a passion for health as a career? You may be interested in joining our Doctors Hospital and Integra Healthcare Ltd family, please revert to the links below to browse the careers sections, and find what best suits you.

https://www.integra.ky/careers/

Careers

Doctors Hospital (DH) and the Cayman Islands Cancer Society (CICS) recognized March as Gastrointestinal and Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in the Cayman Islands. Gastrointestinal cancer develops around the GI tract, which is known as the digestive tract. Colorectal Cancer, more specifically, is a cancer that begins in the large intestine.

Colorectal Cancer is statistically proven to affect 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women (US statistics). According to the American Cancer Society in the United States, in 2023, there were about 26,500 cases. 15,930 of these being men and 10,570 of those cases being women.

DH and the CICS cosponsored a Continuing Medical Education (CME) event on March 29th, 2023 to discuss these trends, technologies in screening for this cancer and advancements in treatment.

Generally, a CME serves as an opportunity for medical professionals to maintain, develop and increase the knowledge, skills and professional relationships that they use to provide services to patients. This event saw many medical professionals come out and share their thoughts on gastrointestinal and colorectal cancer in the Cayman Islands. It was insightful and thought-provoking—the night comprised of four healthcare professionals (see list below) speaking on the issue from their area of expertise and responsibilities.

• Dr Nick Gent, Chief Medical Officer of Cayman
• Dr Darley Solomon, Chief of Surgery & General Surgeon at DH
• Dr Yaron Rado, Chief of Radiology at DH
• Dr Sanjay Awasthi, Oncologist at DH

The push for screenings was heavily stressed so that early detection takes place. This can help reduce the risk of advanced cancer and lower the risk of undergoing operations and chemotherapy treatments.

Dr. Sanjay Awasthi, who is an Oncologist, shared his perspective on the advances in colon cancer, covering earlier detection, more precise treatment, shorter chemotherapy and new surgical approaches.

Dr. Yaron Rado, the Chief of Radiology at Doctors Hospital, expressed that the new Dual Energy 512 slice Revolution CT machine at Doctors Hospital is more than ready to be a regular part of the gastrointestinal screening program for colon cancer in the Cayman Islands.

This machine offers uncompromised image quality, clinical capabilities across all clinical areas, next generation AI/Deep Learning image reconstruction and best-in-class spatial resolution. Clinical lingo for, it’s a state-of-the-art machine and we’re indeed fortunate to have it available here in Grand Cayman.

So, what are the symptoms that you should look out for? With gastrointestinal cancers, it is essential to look out for the following signs:

• Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weight loss
• Bleeding (vomiting blood or passing blood in stool)
• Early satiety (cannot eat a complete meal because of a “full feeling”)

Please note that these symptoms do not mean you have gastrointestinal cancer, but it is good to check with your healthcare physician if any of the following symptoms occur.

Dr Darley Solomon, Chief of Surgery and General Surgeon at DH has been working with CICS, championing the screening of colorectal cancer since his return to Cayman over 10 years ago. This cancer is preventable. How do we know this? Because it begins with a mole, it’s called a polyp. And over time, it can develop into a cancer.

“If we can catch these polyps early enough, you won’t have to deal with it developing into a cancer” – Dr Darley Solomon.

Why we work with CICS:

The Cayman Islands Cancer Society is a non-profit charitable organization established in 1995. They receive no assistance from the government and rely on donations which it receives from individuals and corporations.

The Cayman Islands Cancer Society uses its donations and puts them back into the community. Whether it is by supporting public health initiatives, educating, and informing on prevention, providing financial aid and assistance (provided to cancer patients who need financial help), and they provide voucher programs for those who qualify to help them get screened. You can visit their website to learn more. [https://www.cics.ky/]

“Properly constructed screening systems, designed to achieve the best outcomes, are complex and need to be carefully constructed around call-recall systems and multi-disciplinary care management system. Simple opportunistic one-stage testing can rarely, if ever, be effective.” – Dr Nick Gent, Chief Medical Officer

Over the next 5-10 years Colon Cancer is predicted to be the leading cancer killer of all people under the age of 50. Colorectal Cancer is preventable. Get screened, and build a relationship with your healthcare providers. At Doctors Hospital we offer a wide variety of services alongside our partners in health, Integra Healthcare.

If you or someone you know is experiencing joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, it may be time to see a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of rheumatic diseases, which can affect the joints, muscles, bones, and organs. But how do you know when it’s time to see a rheumatologist? To answer this question, we spoke with Dr. Sharon Chambers, Rheumatologist, and Dr. Grant Rogers, GP. Here’s what they had to say:

What are some common rheumatic diseases?

Dr. Sharon Chambers, Rheumatologist: “Some common rheumatic diseases include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and fibromyalgia. These diseases can cause a wide range of symptoms, such as joint pain, stiffness, swelling, fatigue, and fever.”

When should someone see a rheumatologist?

Dr. Grant Rogers, General Practitioner: “As a family physician, I often refer patients to rheumatologists when they have joint pain or swelling that is not responding to traditional treatments, such as over-the-counter pain relievers or physical therapy. I also refer patients who have a family history of rheumatic diseases or who have symptoms that suggest a systemic disease, such as lupus.”

Dr. Sharon Chambers, Rheumatologist: “I agree. It’s important to see a rheumatologist if you have persistent joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, especially if it’s affecting your ability to perform daily activities. In some cases, early intervention can help prevent long-term joint damage and disability.”

What can someone expect during a rheumatology appointment

Dr. Sharon Chambers, Rheumatologist: “During a rheumatology appointment, we’ll start by taking a detailed medical history and performing a physical exam. We may also order imaging tests, such as x-rays or MRIs, or blood tests to help diagnose your condition. Depending on your diagnosis, we may recommend a treatment plan that could include medications, lifestyle changes, or physical therapy.”

Dr. Grant Rogers, General Practitioner: “It’s also important to note that rheumatologists often work closely with other healthcare providers, such as physical therapists and occupational therapists, to provide comprehensive care. They may also collaborate with your primary care physician to monitor your overall health and manage any other conditions you may have.”

Final thoughts

If you’re experiencing joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about seeing a rheumatologist. With the right diagnosis and treatment, you can manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Remember, early intervention is key. So if you have any concerns, speak up and get the care you need.