Preventive Medicine | Description
Preventive medicine focuses on preserving an individual's physical and mental health for as long as possible. It encompasses both the prevention of various diseases and anti-aging medicine, which aims to control the aging process throughout life, avoid risk factors, and precisely choose the most suitable preventive methods (lifestyle adjustments, recommended medications, vitamins, microelements, foods, additional examinations, etc.).
The goal of preventive medicine is to optimize health at any stage of life BEFORE diseases develop, requiring diagnosis and therapy.
Preventive medicine specialist, Dr. Jana Janovska, MD: "Of course, we all age physiologically and will continue to age. The only question is how fast and what the quality of our life will be. In principle, preventive and personalized medicine is our future, as until now we have mostly dealt with the consequences. Preventive medicine offers not just an anti-aging effect, but a slowdown of the aging process. This is especially important during menopause and andropause, when bone density decreases, deep wrinkles appear, and the aging process accelerates. Men quickly develop cardiovascular diseases, prostate adenoma, erectile dysfunction, and parkinsonism. However, both women and men in their 70s can lead active and fulfilling lives with the right therapy."
Genetic Testing
Genetic tests, which allow the assessment of DNA cells for preventive purposes, have been widely used worldwide for over 20 years. They enable the early diagnosis of changes in genes and the risk factors for developing diseases, allowing specific genes to be protected from mutations.
Our clinic offers genetic predisposition tests for cancer, as well as tests for the prevention of various other diseases. Different test packages can be selected depending on preferences, symptoms, previous analysis results, and genetic risk factors. Genetic tests are especially important for individuals in risk groups — if there is a family history of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, migraines, autoimmune, or psychiatric disorders, depression, etc.
Cancer Genetic Predisposition Tests
These tests are suitable for both completely healthy individuals and those with a family or close relatives diagnosed with cancer. The test panel includes 92 different checks for mutations in genes associated with common tumors, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and rare tumors.
The client provides a 4 ml sample of venous blood, which is sent to the "Asper Biotech" laboratory in Tartu for analysis. After 12 weeks, results about mutations found in the blood sample are sent back. The report includes both genetic and medical explanations and recommended preventive measures, which our clinic's doctors discuss with the client at the final consultation.
Tests for Various Diseases
To learn about your genetic codes, all it takes is a one-time saliva sample. No special preparation is required, except that the patient should avoid eating and smoking for half an hour before the test. The obtained biological material is sent to a specialized laboratory. Results are available in about a month and show changes in genes and risk factors for developing specific diseases. A preventive medicine doctor analyzes, interprets, explains, and gives recommendations to the patient on how to maintain their health.
Different genetic tests are available, relating to weight gain, the immune system, dermatology, gynecology, gastroenterology, and neurology. After the test and initial recommendations, the information about each tested individual remains in the database. Repeat tests and checks are not required — one genetic saliva test is enough, as a person's DNA does not change throughout life.
How It Works
The client comes for a consultation, where their medical history and risk groups are assessed.
The patient should avoid eating and smoking for 30 minutes before the test.
The test sample (saliva) is collected.
The biological material is sent to a European laboratory (Luxembourg), where within a month, results about possible diseases and life-long risk factors are provided.
The client returns for a follow-up appointment with a preventive medicine specialist, who explains the test results and recommends preventive measures, and, if necessary, prescribes appropriate therapy.
BASICgen – The primary stage of analysis and a basic research method in preventive medicine, providing insights into potential genetic mutations in the body, assessing the body’s ability for repair, and the likelihood of disease development, as well as improving the treatment of chronic diseases.
SKINgen – For patients who want to optimize their skin health and assess the risk of developing skin diseases.
ALOPECIAgen – For men and women aged 20-30 who have a family history of hair loss or have experienced ineffective treatment.
DIABETgen – Detects early signs related to the development of type 2 diabetes.
FEMgen – This test assesses the individual risk of developing side effects with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT counters physiological aging by replacing missing hormones, but for some women, it may increase the risk of thrombosis and breast cancer.
CARDIOgen – If someone in the family has had cardiovascular disease, a predisposition to cardiovascular conditions, hypertension (high cholesterol levels, dyslipidemia, or congenital heart anomaly, valve stenosis, regurgitation, arrhythmia).
COLOgen – Provides information on the risk of developing colorectal cancer, a widely spread form of cancer with high mortality if not diagnosed early.
PROSTATEgen – Recommended for men with a family history of prostate cancer (a screening method and risk assessment for disease development).
DETOXgen – Recommended for individuals with unexplained energy loss, weakness, allergies, fatigue, atopic manifestations (asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis).
OXIgen – Oxidative stress prevention, recommended for people with chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, chronic fatigue, physical or intellectual stress, smokers or alcohol abusers, people on medication, or those who have undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and women using oral contraceptives.
WEIGHTgen – For those seeking to optimize their weight (genetic predisposition is a significant factor influencing the development of obesity or complicating weight loss).
Information
Today, there are two main theories of biological aging: the first is the "fate theory," which is based on the disruption of the expression of genes responsible for development, repair, and defense mechanisms. The second is the "chance theory," which is based on the cumulative environmental impact that leads to accelerated aging. This includes UV radiation, smoking, the environment, medications, and chemically produced vitamins.
The aging process begins individually for each person, but it is generally considered to start soon after the age of 25, with morphological changes in the vessels starting as early as 12-13 years, after puberty.
After the age of 25 is the best time for medical examinations that will reflect both the quality of life in the future and the risk of accelerated aging, to ensure that a person is physically and mentally active, healthy, and satisfied with life not only at 30 but also at 50, 60, and 70 years old.
This is a fundamentally different concept of medicine that extends both life expectancy and quality. It is about the whole body, not just the aesthetic signs of aging — not just wrinkles or hydration problems, but also bone density issues, cardiovascular diseases, and repair processes.
