Dear Editor,
I am writing regarding an experience I had with the Portuguese NHS following reports seen which criticised the Portuguese health service.
Whilst on holiday at Albufeira during February 2011, I developed a bloated abdomen which was very uncomfortable and associated this with food poisoning.
My partner insisted that I should go for a medical check-up and I decided to go to the Centro de Saúde de Albufeira, where I was attended by Dr Francisco Rodrigues. He asked detailed medical questions regarding diabetes, high blood pressure etc as you would expect from a consultant appointment.
After assessing my case in detail, the doctor advised that I should have some blood tests, with some more specific regarding liver enzymes, H Pylori and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test. I must admit to being very concerned – why so many tests – but was assured that the prostate test was really mandatory and only was a blood test with no complicated procedures.
Initially, I was assessed on the Tuesday and returned on Thursday for the results and found the doctor checking the results whilst shaking his head and I knew something was wrong.
He told me that my PSA was very high (over 70) as well as the high level of H Pylori. With great difficulty, the doctor stated that it appeared that I had prostatic cancer and he insisted that I should go immediately to a consultant urologist upon my return to London. I was speechless for a moment as it was indeed a great shock.
The GP in Portugal faxed all his clinical notes, including the blood test results, to my GP back in London and I was quickly checked by an urologist who confirmed that I had prostatic aggressive cancer.
Following various scans it was confirmed that the cancer had not spread to my bones, however if it had been discovered six months later the outcome would have been a different story. I undertook lengthy treatment and still require hormone implants but am recovering.
I returned to Albufeira in November for a short holiday and decided to visit the doctor who diagnosed my cancer and discovered that he no longer worked at Centro de Saúde de Albufeira and now operated at the SIIPEMOR Clínica Médica at São Brás de Alportel. I decided to visit and thank him personally for saving my life. He modestly stated that he was in the right place at the right time and did his professional duty given my medical situation.
I can only add
“MUITO OBRIGADO
DR FRANCISCO RODRIGUES”
Jeff Thompson
London
