As breast cancer continues to be a significant health concern, early detection remains key to successful treatment. Unfortunately, cost and discomfort associated with traditional screening methods have hindered many from seeking regular check-ups. Enter Thermalytix™, a novel breast cancer screening solution that not only offers affordability but also a plethora of benefits that make it a game-changer in the field of medical diagnostics.

Cost-Effectiveness Beyond Compare

Cost is often a major barrier when it comes to healthcare, especially in developing nations where access to quality medical services is limited. Thermalytix™ breaks down this barrier by offering a screening solution that is 60% to 80% cheaper than the conventional mammogram or ultrasound. At ABC, this type of screening is available for an incredibly low price of just P1,500—opening up avenues for women from all walks of life to prioritize their health without the prohibitive price tag.

A Painless Approach to Screening

One of the most significant deterrents to breast cancer screening is the pain associated with traditional methods. Thermalytix™ eliminates this concern, offering a pain-free alternative that utilizes thermal imaging technology to detect abnormalities.

Age Agnostic and Non-Invasive

Unlike certain screening methods that are recommended only for certain age groups, the new procedure can be recommended for women of all ages, making it a versatile tool for early detection regardless of life stage. Additionally, the non-invasive nature of the screening process ensures that women are not exposed to harmful radiation or invasive procedures.

Privacy and Comfort Redefined

Privacy is a paramount concern when it comes to medical examinations, especially those involving intimate areas of the body. Thermalytix™ ensures the utmost privacy by placing the patient in front of a medical thermal device, eliminating the need for physical exposure in a clinical setting. This approach not only respects the patient’s dignity but also encourages more women to undergo screening without apprehensions about privacy breaches.

Seamless and Swift Screening Process

Patients are also assured of a streamlined screening process, making it a hassle-free experience for women. Patients receive instructions outside the screening area, eliminating the need for physical contact during the entire process. The screening itself takes a mere 15-20 minutes, depending on room temperature, making it a convenient option for even the busiest individuals.

Rapid Results and Accurate Interpretation

In a world where timely medical information can make all the difference, Thermalytix™ stands out with its rapid turnaround time. Unlike traditional screening methods that can take days to weeks for results, this offers results within 12-36 hours*. This accelerated timeframe can provide women with peace of mind or prompt them to take further action if necessary. Additionally, the accuracy of interpretation ensures that potential issues are detected with high precision.

A Hopeful Future: Combating Breast Cancer Incidence

As Asian Breast Center addresses breast cancer diagnosis’ affordability, accessibility, and comfort with Thermalytix™, the future of breast cancer prevention looks bright and hopefully contribute to the reduction in breast cancer incidence and an increase in successful treatment outcomes.

Residents of Commune Village Batulao will soon have access to healthcare assistance from Tagaytay Medical Center as it signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Centuria Medical Makati on May 31, 2023.

Jose Ronaldo Delos Santos, cluster head of Mount Grace Hospitals, Inc, and Centuria Development Corp SVP and General Manager Rey Dimaano shake hands to mark the start of the Commune Village Batulao and Tagaytay Medical Center partnership

With this partnership, residents can now rest assured that doctors and ambulance services are on call should emergencies arise. Aside from this, Tagaytay Medical Center can also conduct vaccination programs, spearhead lectures on current healthcare trends, give insights on disease management, and provide a standby medical team during community activities. In addition, residents can also avail of the services of Tagaytay Medical Center at a discounted rate and enjoy the privilege of an MD and non-medical coordinator to assist them when needed.

Residents in need of emergency assistance can simply call (46) 4831862 and look for Ms. Fhe Piedad of the HMO/Industrial Department, Tagaytay Medical Center.

These past few years have highlighted the need for accessible health services. According to Centuria Development Corp SVP and General Manager Rey Dimaano, the collaboration fulfills the need for accessible healthcare services to Commune Village Batulao residents. “We wanted to provide the community with its healthcare needs, so we partnered with the most established provider in Tagaytay.” Dimaano, along with Jose Ronaldo Delos Santos, cluster head of Mount Grace Hospitals, Inc, signed the MOA to seal the deal.

Located along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway in Nasugbu, Batangas, Commune Village Batulao is a sprawling development designed by Century Properties for Filipinos and global citizens with ownership offered via Condominium Certificate of Title.

Whether you’re scheduled for a routine checkup or you’re looking for a medical specialist, finding the right clinic or doctor is a must. After all, our health is of utmost importance and we should only get the best medical assistance we could.

Fortunately, finding the country’s top doctors and getting access to premier medical care has become easier with a visit to Centuria Medical Makati. The one-stop outpatient medical-IT facility found at the heart of Century City, Makati is home to various specialized and unique centers where patients can get top-notch medical services.

By offering innovative and cost-effective services under one roof, Centuria offers a comprehensive medical checkup while allowing visitors to feel at ease within the modern facility. Among the clinics housed at Centuria Medical Makati are the Centers of Excellence where patients can avail of specialized medical services such as the Asian Breast Center, InstaLimb (3D-Printed Prosthesis), Pinnacle Performance (a Hong Kong-based fitness enhancement facility), and The Surgery Center.

Given the broad and all-inclusive centers found at Centuria Medical Makati, it’s no wonder it has become the medical facility of choice of many patients. Doctors at the forefront of their respective specialties lead the Centers of Excellence, giving patients and visitors the reassurance that they will be well taken care of.

Learn more about Centuria Medical Makati’s Centers of Excellence below:

Asian Breast Center

A one-stop, comprehensive ambulatory breast care center, the Asian Breast Center provides a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to breast health from screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Taking pride as the only profit-for-charity facility that’s solely dedicated to the management of breast diseases, it’s affiliated with US cancer center, Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey, USA and offers treatment recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

In addition to consultations, surgery, and radiation therapy, it also has diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine services which include digital mammography, breast ultrasound, and a first in the Philippines –

Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI). MBI is designed to detect breast cancer in women with dense breasts as commonly seen in Filipinas.

Heading the team of surgeons, radiologists, and oncologists at ABC is Dr. Norman San Agustin, a distinguished oncologist and surgeon, and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. San Agustin has been advocating for early detection to cure breast cancer and in addition to leading Asian Breast Center, he’s also the brains behind Mammo on Wheels, a project that brings free mammogram tests to different areas in the country.

Makati PET/CT Center

The only PET/CT center you can find outside a hospital setting, the Makati PET/CT Center at Centuria specializes in whole body cancer imaging. The center also welcomes patients in need of sectional CT scan procedures as well as the detection of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia. All procedures make use of the latest technologies but are more competitively priced compared to services offered in most hospitals.

NewLife Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Run by board-certified surgeons, NewLife provides advanced options in plastic and cosmetic reconstructive surgeries in addition to non-surgical procedures. The facility is well-equipped and has a cozy ambiance that makes patients feel relaxed once they step inside. Some of the services offered at NewLife include rhinoplasty, face lift, eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, tummy tack, and liposuction.

Heading the team of surgeons at NewLife is Dr. James Joaquino, a member of the Philippine Board of Plastic Surgery, the Oriental Society for Aesthetic Surgery, and the Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. With a career that spans over 30 years, Dr. Joaquino has performed thousands of surgeries all done with one goal: to make patients look as good as they feel.

The Surgery Center

Aiming to provide a more convenient alternative to traditional surgery, The Surgery Center specializes in same day-care and outpatient surgery performed by a team of well-trained doctors and nurses. With services that cover different surgical specialties from cosmetic surgery and dermatology, to urology and ophthalmology – the center is able to cater to more individuals with specific needs. Cost-effective and hassle-free, The Surgery Center’s unique setup guarantees personalized care and a comfortable experience to patients.

Pinnacle Performance

It’s one thing to have a workout plan and another to have a professional partner that can guide you through the steps of becoming healthier. Pinnacle Performance is a Hong Kong-based training facility that’s staffed by internationally accredited coaches who guide clients toward true physical development. The well-equipped athlete training facility is all about delivering results without shortcuts.

Pinnacle Performance also takes pride in the Pinnacle way of becoming fitter and healthier – plan, pursue that plan, and perform. Clients can count on a fitness plan that’s designed with their goals in mind, plus, coaches assess each individual’s performance using the corresponding metrics that matches each one’s training plan.

Advanced Lab Solutions by Hi-Precision Diagnostics

Considered as a pioneer in the laboratory and diagnostic industry, Hi-Precision Diagnostics brings its brand of top-quality healthcare to Centuria Medical Makati through Advanced Lab Solutions, one of the country’s largest medical laboratories. Here, patients can avail of different services from routine laboratory tests and imaging, to getting consultations from multi-specialty doctors and getting tests not readily available in the country.

InstaLimb

InstaLimb takes on the challenge of providing prosthetics to patients who are bouncing back after an illness or injury. It makes use of advanced technologies to create high-quality prosthesis for Filipinos such

as machine learning (AI), a specialized 3D-CAD to reduce design time, and specialized 3D printer that help cut production time by 1/10 compared to conventional production processes.

InstaLimb, 25th Floor

Robocare Solutions, Inc.

Providing rehabilitation services with the help of technology, Robocare Solutions utilizes medical technologies and solutions from all the over world. Its rehabilitation services cover a wide range of specializations such as neurology, physical rehabilitation, orthopedics, cardiology, and sports medicine, to name a few. Among its products, the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) is one of the most widely used. The world’s first cyborg-type robot, HAL assists a physically challenged person to move while enabling him or her to exert bigger motor energy than usual. It’s also considered as a system that helps accelerate the motor learning of cerebral nerves.

Robocare Solutions, Inc., 28th Floor

M P L Clinic Center for Integrative and Functional Medicine

Specializing in macro and micro subcellular treatments, M P L Clinic focuses on human physiology by offering services that cover cardiovascular, metabolic diseases, rejuvenative medicine, and nutritional counselling. Aside from offering blood works and laboratory services, it also has external enhanced counter pulsation and Butterly iQ diagnostic services.

One of its leaders is Dr. Mark Alejandro Llenado, a member of the Philippine Heart Association and Philippine Society of Hypertension. A wellness specialist, he’s also an expert in Hyperbaric and Dive Medicine as well as Integrative, Functional, and Rejuvenative Medicine.

M P L Clinic, 27th Floor

Should patients need to purchase medicines, supplements, and other medical essentials, they don’t need to leave the premises of Centuria Medical Makati. A Mercury Drug is located at the ground floor where prescription and over-the-counter medicines can be bought.

Health is wealth may be an old adage, but it holds true more so now. A visit to a medical facility needs to be reassuring and a pleasant experience for patients. At Centuria Medical Makati, you can consult with

top-notch doctors and avail of thorough medical services whether it’s for a routine checkup, a simple procedure, or you want to get started on your fitness goals.

Simply call the concierge of Centuria Medical Makati so you can get a hold of the right doctor or clinic. Here, your welfare is a priority.

Centuria Medical Makati is located at Century City, Kalayaan Avenue cor. Salamanca St., Makati City. For inquiries and to book an appointment, you may get in touch with the Centuria Medical Concierge via text or phone call at +639176106267. Centuria Medical is also on Viber: +639171499699. For updates, follow Centuria Medical Makati on Facebook @centuriamedicalofficial and Instagram @centuriamedical.

Outpatient Medical Facility Centuria Expands as Demand for Health Care Grows

Centuria Medical Makati, the largest medical arts facility in the Philippines, is expanding with the opening of Heal Venture Lab, an incubation hub for medical start-ups.

The incubation hub aims to help local and foreign healthcare start-ups easily set up in the Philippines and take advantage of the growing demand for healthcare.

“Heal Venture Lab is a healthcare investment platform that aims to bridge the gap and promote cross-border collaboration in Asia by bringing technology and capital,” Dr. Jaemin Park, Managing Partner of Heal Venture Lab said.

They aim to address other unmet health needs such as pediatric health, rural health, biopharma, and medical devices through various structures including a venture fund, incubators, and more with Heal Venture Lab as a group platform.

The incubation hub is located on the 29th floor in Centuria’s new extension at Century Diamond Tower, which primarily serves as a free co-working space for all clinicians, medical engineers, pharma/medtech industry professionals, and overseas medical companies who want to enter the Philippines.

According to Dr. Park, the Philippines tends to be overlooked by overseas medical companies due to its geographic and historical position, unlike Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. However, the opportunities in the Philippines are numerous. Dr. Park is optimistic about opportunities in the Philippines, especially since neighboring countries are already saturated with players in the healthcare sector. He added that the Philippines, with a population of 100 million populations who can speak English, will be a viable next destination over other markets in ASEAN.

The environment for more healthcare services has also become more favorable for young companies recently, with the rise and acceleration of healthcare spending during the pandemic. Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority show the steady increase in healthcare expenditure in the country from P917.15 billion in 2020 to P1.09 trillion in 2021, with the country’s top income earners accounting for P380 billion or 34% of this total spend.

Furthermore, the signing of RA 11647 allows non-Philippine nationals to do business in the country or invest up to 100% of the capital needed for domestic enterprises.

Dr. Park said they chose to locate in Centuria because it has a community of independent medical clinics not allied with large incumbent medical groups. These specialty medical clinics have a strong potential for growth to ride along the rise of ambulatory clinics in the Philippines to become clinic chains like the ones in the US.

“Centuria is in a position to absorb some of this growth as it has become a trusted name and destination in this sector. This is also why we have expanded Centuria to its neighboring building, the Century Diamond Tower,” Marco Antonio, Century Properties President and CEO said.

Located in Century City in Poblacion, Makati, Centuria has more than 600 medical experts composed of doctors, dentists, and allied health professionals, and 350 leading health and wellness brands and group practices, accredited by 95% of local and international HMO providers. Today, 15% of its patients are foreign

MANILA, Philippines —  A cancer expert on Tuesday sounded the alarm on the continuous prevalence of breast cancer in the Philippines, saying the disease is akin to a pandemic.

“When you think about it, COVID has almost come and gone, and yet there is a very very prevalent pandemic — and that’s breast cancer,” Dr. Norman San Agustin, founder and CEO of Asian Breast Center made the remark in a breast cancer forum in Makati City.

San Agustin made the remark as he called the continued prevalence of breast cancer cases not only in the Philippines  but elsewhere in the world “staggering.”

“When you look at the statistics, even during the time of COVID, the numbers are staggering. And the worst of all, in two to three years COVID is almost gone but breast cancer continues to rise and will continue to do so unless we do something about it,” he said.

Breast cancer remains to be the most common cancer in the Philippines and worldwide.

Data from the World Health Organization revealed that as of 2020, breast cancer is the majority type of cancer among Filipino women at 31 percent.

The WHO said there were 86,484 cases of cancer in the Philippines, of which, 27,163 are breast cancers.

Breast cancer also has a mortality rate of 10.7 percent or 9,926 deaths, the third most fatal cancer in the country only behind lung cancer and liver cancer, according to WHO.

San Agustin noted that breast cancer is a curable disease especially when detected early.

According to WebMD, the five year relative survival rate of localized breast cancer or those only found in the breast is at 99 percent. This includes the stage IA, stage IIA and some stage IIB of breast cancer.

Regional breast cancer or when the cancer has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes has a five year relative survival rate of 86 percent. This includes stage IB, some stage IIA, some stage IIB and all stage III breast cancer.

Distant breast cancer (stage IV) or when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body only has a five-year relative survival rate of 28 percent.

“Early diagnosis are the keys to cure and affordable care,” he said. “The pandemic of breast cancer is real, and there are many ways that we can formulate solutions to it.”

Thermal Imaging

“Nobody needs to die of breast cancer,” Dr. Geetha Manjunath, founder and CEO of India-based medical startup Niramai, said. “But why are we losing so many women? Late detection.”

Manjunath said thermal imaging could be an effective and cheaper tool to detect breast cancer.

According to Manjunath, the technology she developed uses a high resolution thermal sensing device and a cloud hosted analytics solution which would analyze the thermal images.

She also noted that the procedure is non-invasive and does not use radiation.

The diagnostic tool will soon be available in select hospitals in the Philippines.

Originally published on Inquirer.net