Levelling Up Specialist Gastroenterology Care

Levelling Up Specialist Gastroenterology Care

Offering a tailored experience that focuses on patient concerns and needs, ELEVATE Gastroenterology creates person-focused health journeys that bring a higher level of care to every individual who steps through its doors.

Some 2,500 years ago, Hippocrates, Greek philosopher and the father of modern medicine, once stated that “all disease begins in the gut”. While this may seem like an oversimplification, science has, time and again, proven the strong links between gut health to our biological, physical as well as mental wellbeing.

Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist, Dr Constantinos Anastassiades, is a firm believer in the importance of gut health. It has not only led him to his chosen specialty, but also in his commitment to deliver elevated standards of gastroenterological care. This ambition has led him to start ELEVATE Gastroenterology – the first gastroenterology specialist practice – in Camden Medical, a site chosen for its beautiful environs and prime location.

Dr Constantinos – who has worked at leading institutions, including the Mayo Clinic and University of Michigan in the United States and in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and National University Hospital in Singapore – brings 25 years of experience to the fore.

“Depending on who you are, what you need, what you want, what your expectations are, we are committed to tailoring an individualised approach and delivering exceptional care,” he said. To this end, ELEVATE Gastroenterology is fully equipped to deliver comprehensive gastroenterology and endoscopic screening and diagnostics, including in-depth consultations and re-assessments (‘second opinions’).

Beyond basic high-quality endoscopic procedures, laboratory and imaging studies, ELEVATE Gastroenterology also offers complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including those which require dedicated and highly specialised advanced training and expertise.

These include procedures such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). EUS is used for tissue diagnosis and staging of pancreatic and other cancers and mass lesions, or for evaluation of hepatobiliary pathology including gallstones. ERCP is used for the treatment of obstructive jaundice due to bile duct gallstones or obstructing cancers.

Meeting rising needs

As diseases of the stomach and gut become more prevalent, Dr Constantinos strives to drive screening and early detection for better outcomes.

According to him, colon cancer is no longer a disease of the West and is now a major problem in Asia as well. “In Singapore specifically, colon cancer is the most common type of cancer in the general population,” he pointed out.

Adding to this disease burden is the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal diseases in Asia. He added, “Stomach cancer has a much higher incidence here. At the same time, pancreatic cancer rates are rising in Singapore – and while it is a much less common disease, it is more lethal. Hepatocellular cancer (primary liver cancer) also continues to plague Asia, mostly due to the prevalence of predisposing hepatitis B.”

All this underscores the importance of screening, he said. “Data now also shows that colon cancer is becoming more prevalent in younger patient populations.” Because early detection plays an important role in the successful treatment of colon cancer, this alarming trend has led many professional societies to decrease the recommended colon cancer screening threshold from age 50 to age 45.

Dr Constantinos also highlighted that beyond cancer prevention, his practice is also focused on the diagnosis and treatment of more common gastrointestinal symptoms and ailments, such as acid reflux, heartburn, constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal discomfort.

These are common issues that are readily treatable if accurately diagnosed. “Endoscopy remains the gold standard for evaluation and definitive diagnostic confirmation when coupled with expert cognitive and consultative gastroenterology input,” he said. “Importantly this level of evaluation can rule out other more serious conditions with similar symptoms, giving patients more peace of mind.”

This focus on both the physical and emotional needs of patients is something that ELEVATE Gastroenterology takes pride in. Dr Constantinos seeks to partner people in their health and support them in achieving their goals. In his practice, he sees people from all walks of life, from international visitors to expatriates and locals.

Many of his patients are well-educated and savvy about medical issues and have an interest in the complex concepts in gut health. This is where Dr Constantinos’ international experience, specialist training and professional background makes him well placed to communicate proficiently with this category of patients who are medically and linguistically fluent.

And for those less familiar with gastroenterology, he is just as focused on ensuring that they can easily understand their procedures and diagnoses. To build their health literacy and empower them in their care, he takes time to explain every step and give them options on their care, such as the level of sedation. “We strive to make the patient’s experience a comfortable one,” he said. He is even conversant in Mandarin, which helps him build rapport with local patients.

This attention to detail over every facet of care dovetails into the overall philosophy of ELEVATE Gastroenterology, said Dr Constantinos. “We are dedicated to crafting a unique and tailored experience for each patient, where standards of practice not only meet, but surpass quality metrics.”