36% of cancers are related to preventable factors in a population with 25% obesity and 26.8% sedentary lifestyle.

The Check-up Unit at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, a pioneer in preventive medicine in Spain, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, consolidatingits role as a benchmark in the early detection of diseases and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Since its creation,it has performed more than 60,000 general, genomic, and cardiovascular checkups, which have allowed its patients to anticipate the development pathologies and thus avoid consuming healthcare system resources. 

According to Dr. Manuel Landecho, a specialist in Internal Medicine at the Check-up Unit, "the magnitude of challenge clear:obesity already affects 25% of the Spanish population and accounts for 7% of direct expense ; more than 50% of cancer deaths in men and 36% in women are related to modifiable factors such as tobacco, alcohol, per diem expenses, sedentary lifestyles, or excess body fat; and sedentary lifestyles affect 26.8% of Spaniards, with consequences that include an increased risk of cancer, subject diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and dementia."  

Scientific evidence shows that sustained weight loss or bariatric surgery can reduce cancer mortality by up to 60% and overall risk by around 33%, while regular physical activity reduces all-cause mortality and improves cognition, sleep, and quality of life.  

Dr. Landecho emphasizes that "it is very important that health decisions are not made by default and that we are aware that if we do not take care of ourselves, our vulnerability increases. With medical checkups, we evaluate cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, smoking, physical exercise, etc.) and modify them in line with prevention. We also conduct more specific consultations through genome sequencing to predict and assess each person's more specific risks. final, what we do is personalized prevention; we give the patient what they need." 

In this context, the Check-up Unit is evolving with programs that allow us to determine whether the patient is healthy, in the pre-disease phase, or in the early stages of disease, allowing us to act before symptoms appear. "We want to move from preventive to predictive medicine, anticipating the development diseases and offering personalized follow-up,"says Dr. Almudena Beltrán. Dr. Almudena Beltrán, a specialist in Internal Medicine at the Unit.  

The incorporation of advanced technology—genetic, analytical, and imaging tools—enables the design of increasingly accurate and personalized health programs. Among these is the new ICAP 2 checkup, a assessment program that has already been shown to identify significant atherosclerotic disease in 20% of patients with no known risk factors. 

A more agile organization for patients in Madrid

The Check-up Unit has undertaken a physical and process reorganization at the Clinic's headquarters in Madrid to facilitate patient care. The new model the number of trips required to fill in check-up from 12 to 5, concentrating all tests in the same space and improving comfort and care times. "The patient should feel that the entire process is designed for them," says Dr. Carlos Cabanyes. Dr. Carlos Cabanyes, internist and coordinator of the Check-up Unit.  

The multidisciplinary team, made up of internists, nurses, and assistants, accompanies the patient at all times, performing examinations, tests, electrocardiograms, and Education .  

The Unit's activity has grown at both locations, Pamplona and Madrid. In the capital, the increase over the last year has been 10.1%, with a 20% increase in international patients treated by a mostly bilingual team. In addition, over the last four years,more than 90 companies have signed agreements with the Clinic for the assessment executives and professionals, reinforcing prevention in the workplace.