Points to note before your health examination

About the pre-examination instructions

1. 1. The pre-examination instructions are sent out approximately 1 month before the date of the appointment.
   
   If your appointment was made via a corporation or health insurance association and the address we have for you is incorrect, the pre-examination instructions may be returned to us undelivered.
   
   If you have not received the pre-examination instructions 1 week prior to the scheduled visit date, please call the clinic where you have the appointment for confirmation.
   
   
2. 2. If the pre-examination instructions and test kit that were sent to you become lost, you will need to either come to the clinic to pick up a new set or fill out the questionnaire and provide your urine or stool sample on the day of your health examination.
   
   You can have the pre-examination instructions sent to your home again for a fee of 2,200 yen (tax included).
   
   If you wish to request this, please call the clinic where you have an appointment.
   
   

Reception hours: Weekdays 9:00~17:00

Points to note before a health examination or complete health examination

1. If your test items include a blood test, you will be asked to refrain from eating for 10 hours before the test.
   
   
   You can drink about a cup of water or green tea on the day of the test, but please note that you must even refrain from eating hard candy, chewing on gum, or drinking coffee or tea containing sugar or milk.
   
   
2. If your test items include abdominal ultrasonography, gastric X-ray, or gastroscopy, you will be asked to refrain from eating for 7 hours before the test.
   
   
   If less than 7 hours have passed since your last meal, the test may be cancelled because of the influence of food residue.
   
   * Please read the specific precautions for gastric X-ray and gastroscopy below.
   
   
3. If you are to receive a urea breath test, you will be asked to refrain from eating for 4 hours before the test.
   
   
   You can drink about 1 cup of water, but please note that you must even refrain from eating hard candy or chewing on gum, etc.
   
   Also, please refrain from smoking until the test is completed.
   
   
4. If you wish to cancel the gastric X-ray at your own convenience, please call the clinic where you have an appointment when you receive the pre-examination instructions.
   
   

   MY Medical Clinic Shibuya	03-4213-721903-4213-7219
   MY Medical Clinic Otemachi	03-4213-726503-4213-7265
   MY Medical Clinic Yokohama Minatomirai	03-4213-723503-4213-7235

5. If your test items include a fundus test or intraocular pressure test and you wear contact lenses (including color contact lenses and circle lenses), please bring the contact lens case and lens care solution with you.
   
   If you forgot to bring them on the day of the test or you cannot remove your contact lenses, you may not be able to receive the test.
   
   
6. If you need to cancel on the day of the examination because you are not feeling well, please contact the clinic where you have an appointment.
   
   Please note that your appointment will be cancelled if you arrive more than 30 minutes late without contacting us.
   
   If you arrive at the clinic after the reception time, you may not be able to receive the tests.
   
   No-show cancellations on the day of the examination are strictly prohibited, and you may be charged a cancellation fee.
   
   Please note that you may not get another appointment for 2 months or more if you reschedule your appointment.
   
   Please also be advised that the pre-examination instructions and test kit will not be sent to you again even if you change your schedule.
   
   
7. If you have a tattoo, please come to the appointment wearing a plain T-shirt (without buttons, etc.) so that your tattoos will not be visible to other patients, and put your examination gown on over it.
   
   *Be careful not to appear unclothed before other customers.
   
   
8. 8. If you are pregnant or could be pregnant, you will not be asked to undergo uterine cytology, chest X-ray, gastric X-ray, gastroscopy, mammography, CT, or MRI.
   
   When you receive the pre-examination instructions, please contact the clinic where you have an appointment.
   
   
9. If you wish to add or change an optional test, please contact the clinic where you have an appointment when you receive the pre-examination instructions.
   
   Optional blood tests can be added on the day of your examination,
   , but tests for which scheduling slots are limited, such as ultrasonography and endoscopy, may need to be performed at a later date. Please be sure to call the clinic where you have an appointment by one week before your visit to confirm.
   
   
10. Your test kit includes 2 stool containers so that you can collect 2 days’ worth of samples. Collect your samples on different days, store them in a cool dark place, and be sure to bring them with you on the day of your health examination.
    
    If you do not bring them with you, the stool test itself will be cancelled.
    
    
    If you have only collected one sample, the test will be performed only on the sample you submit.
    
    Although the explanation in the submission pouch for the stool samples reads, “Do not collect stool during menstruation,” you will be asked to collect your stool at the clinic even if you are menstruating, and the results will be shown as reference values.
    
    Moreover, in accordance with the policy of the testing company, our clinic will not accept stool samples submitted by mail, in order to maintain the quality of the test.
11. In connection with the deadlines for submitting results data to each health insurance association, tests scheduled for a later date will be cancelled if you cannot come to the clinic or submit the sample within one week of the date of your examination.
    
    (For gastroscopy only, you will be asked to visit the clinic within 2 weeks of the date of your examination.)
12. Avoid excessive use of perfume and hair styling products as this may interfere with the test.
    
    If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the clinic where you have an appointment.
    
    
13. You are kindly requested not to visit the clinic with infants and children.

For patients who will receive blood tests

If any of the following apply to you, please tell the person in charge of blood sampling.

Complications

Blood sampling is basically a safe procedure, but in rare cases, the following complications may occur.

Please be advised of this before you undergo hematologic tests.

For patients who will receive gastric X-rays

The purpose of the barium examination is “early detection of diseases such as stomach cancer, stomach ulcer, and chronic gastritis.”

Please pay attention to and cooperate with the following for a smooth examination and early detection of gastric diseases.

*Please note that if you arrive more than 30 minutes late for the barium examination without contacting us, the test will be cancelled.

*If you are scheduled for a gastric X-ray examination but do not wish to swallow barium, be sure to contact the clinic where you have an appointment by 2 weeks in advance.

For patients who have difficulty swallowing barium, we recommend switching to gastroscopy (5,500 yen including tax) or adding the ABC test to blood sampling (5,500 yen including tax).

Precautions to follow, from the day before the test until after the test

The day before the test

Gastric X-ray examination cannot be performed with high accuracy if there is undigested food or gastric juice in the stomach.

Be sure to avoid eating for at least 7 hours before coming to the clinic.

(If you are also scheduled for blood tests, please avoid eating for at least 10 hours before blood sampling.)
⬧ Please avoid consuming the following on the day before your examination: fatty meat, fish, butter, fiber-rich vegetables, alcohol, and tobacco)

On the day of the test

Eating and drinking are prohibited on the morning of your visit.

Please note that the test may be cancelled if insufficient time has elapsed since your last meal.

*If you are scheduled to receive your health examination in the afternoon, you should eat a light breakfast (rice gruel, toast, etc.) at least 7 hours before the scheduled time and refrain from eating and drinking thereafter.

• · If your throat feels dry, you can rinse your mouth with water.
  
  *There is no problem with brushing your teeth on the day of your visit.
  
  
• · Even things like hard candies and caramels should be avoided on the day of the visit.
  
  Also refrain from smoking.
  
  *However, dehydration may occur in summer.
  
  You may drink 300 mL of water or green tea at least 3 hours before the test.
  
  
• · No tests will be performed if you are pregnant or could be pregnant.
  
  If you are breastfeeding, the tests can be performed.
  
  
• · Please note that patients who have difficulty understanding Japanese or simple English may not be allowed to proceed with testing.
  
  
• · If you have undergone gastrectomy or abdominal surgery or you are under treatment, hard of hearing, or have a physical disability, please be sure to tell the person in charge before the test because we may need to give care to the method of imaging and bear these in mind when interpreting the images.
  
  
• · Since constipation is likely to occur after the examination because of the effects of barium, you will be given some laxatives at the reception desk on the day of the examination.
  
  If you often tend to be constipated, we will give you a larger amount of laxative, so please let us know.
  
  

After the test

• · After the test, carefully read the instructions for the laxative and take it with a large amount of water.
  
  
• · If you have abdominal bloating and pain or you do not void the barium even 24 hours after taking additional laxative, consult our clinic or the nearest medical institution.
  
  

For patients who will receive gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is a test in which an endoscope is inserted through the mouth or nose to observe the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

In addition to simple observation, it is possible to dye or enlarge the lesion for detailed observation, and a tissue sample may be taken to perform a pathological examination (biopsy).

A biopsy may be performed if the doctor judges it necessary.

Before the test, you can choose whether to receive the endoscopy by the nasal route or oral route.

Even if you choose the nasal route, it may be necessary to switch to the oral route if you develop nose bleeding or the tube cannot be inserted.

If you wish, you can arrange in advance to undergo the examination with a sedative.

*If you wish to receive a sedative and you are breast-feeding, please let us know in advance.

Precautions to follow, from the day before the test until after the test

The day before the test

You must finish dinner by 7 hours before the scheduled time of your health examination and must not eat anything thereafter.

A light dinner is recommended.

You may drink liquids such as green tea.

Avoid alcohol.

If you usually take medicine after dinner or before bedtime, take it as usual.

On the day of the test

If you are scheduled to come to the clinic in the morning, you will be prohibited from eating in the morning.

Please note that the test may be cancelled if insufficient time has elapsed since your last meal.

You may drink a minimal amount of uncolored fluid until 2 hours before the start of the test.

*If you are scheduled to undergo your test in the afternoon, you should eat a light breakfast (rice gruel, toast, etc.) at least 7 hours before the scheduled time and refrain from eating and drinking thereafter.

If you take medicine for hypertension or heart disease every morning, take it with a glass of water when you wake up in the morning (approximately 7:00 a.m.).

If you have diabetes mellitus and you self-inject insulin or take hypoglycemic drugs, you will need to refrain from doing so on the test day because you will be fasting.

(If your test is scheduled for the afternoon, inject or orally take the drug with food 7 hours before the test.

*If hypoglycemic symptoms occur, take glucose to alleviate the symptoms. )
Remove removable dentures in advance.

It is fine to undergo the test with implants or other irremovable fixtures.

Please note that some waiting time may occur depending on the situation on the day of the test.

After the test

Do not eat or drink anything until 1 hour after the end of the test because anesthesia remains in the throat.

After 1 hour has passed, take a sip of water. If you can swallow it without choking, you may resume meals.

*If a biopsy is performed, may resume eating and drinking 2 hours after the end of the test.

The nurse will explain the details after the end of the test.

If you received the test by the nasal route, you may experience nosebleed, so please do not blow your nose forcefully.

You may experience nosebleed or sore throat for several days as a result of the test, but it will disappear spontaneously.

If a sedative was used, you should not drive a car, motorcycle, or bicycle after the test.

For patients who will receive colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a test in which an endoscope is inserted through the anus to observe the large intestine and part of the small intestine.

If necessary, a part of the lesion or a small polyp may be resected for histological examination (biopsy).

At our clinic, colonoscopy is performed under sedation to reduce pain and anxiety during the test.

Precautions to follow, from the day before the test until after the test

The day before the test

You must finish dinner by 20:00 and take the laxative by 21:00.

*A low-residue food set (Clearthrough JB3 Food Set) to be consumed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the day before the test is available as an option if you wish.

On the day of the test

You must refrain from eating on the day of the test.

You may drink water.

If you usually take blood pressure, heart, or asthma medication, etc., please take it at 6:00 a.m.

How to take the laxative (on the day of the test)

Start to take Moviprep 2 hours before the test (Combine with 2 L of water to make 2000 mL of bowel cleansing agent).
*Moviprep will be given to you at the clinic on the day of the test.

In the following, 1 cup is about 180 mL. Alternate between drinking:
[1] 2 cups of Moviprep, and
[2] 1 cup of water or green tea.
It should take you about 20 to 30 minutes to consume each course of [1] + [2]. Continue to alternate between drinking Moviprep and water or tea until your stool is clear and free of solid matter.

Please note that some waiting time may occur depending on the situation on the day of the test.

After the test

If a sedative was used in the test, please refrain from driving a car, motorcycle, or bicycle on the day of the test.

If a tissue sample was collected, please refrain from drinking alcohol or eating stimulating foods on the day of the test and the day after.

You should also rest as much as possible.

For patients who will receive cervical cytology

If you have your period (particularly on the 2nd day, when menstrual flow is heavy), the results may not be accurately reflected, so it is recommended that the test be postponed to a later date.

Please let us know in advance.

■ For women who have never experienced sexual intercourse
In most cases, cervical cancer is caused by sexual intercourse.

Cervical cytology is painful if you have never experienced sexual intercourse, and the probability that there will be no abnormality is 99%. Please make your own decision as to whether or not to undergo the test.

However, since women aged 30 years or older may have gynecological diseases other than cervical cancer, it is recommended that you receive ultrasonography, etc. once.

About optional tests

The accuracy of cervical cytology is increased when it is combined with an HPV test and transvaginal ultrasonography.

You can add optional tests on the day of examination, so please let us know if you wish to do so.

Please urinate before receiving transvaginal ultrasonography.

For patients who will receive mammography

Mammography is performed for early detection of microcalcification, which is one of the initial symptoms of lumps, tumors, and cancers that are difficult to detect.

Periodic mammograms make early detection and treatment of breast cancer possible.

On the other hand, you will be exposed to a small amount of radiation because of the use of X-rays.

(Mean breast dose 2.4 mGy)
Since imaging is performed with breast compression, mammography may cause pain.

Advantages and disadvantages of the test

Periodic mammograms make early detection and treatment of breast cancer possible.

On the other hand, you will be exposed to a small amount of radiation because of the use of X-rays.

(Mean breast dose 2.4 mGy)
Since imaging is performed with breast compression, mammography may cause pain.

What to expect on the day of the test

The breast is sandwiched between plastic plates and compressed.

Pain associated with mammography varies among individuals.

(Pain also differs somewhat depending on whether or not you have your menstrual period.)
If you are not feeling well, the strong compression and tension can cause fainting.

Patients who cannot undergo mammography

• · Patients who are pregnant or could be pregnant
• · Patients with a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), or a shunt port
• · Patients who have recently undergone breast augmentation surgery or other breast surgery