Gyn Cancer Screenings
The
Pap test can help detect cervical cancer, which often has no obvious symptoms
in its earliest stages. It can also be combined with testing for the human
papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause
cervical cancer. HPV vaccinations can help prevent HPV infections, but we may
also recommend regular testing based on your personal situation.
While
there aren’t screenings for every type of gynecological cancer, your annual
exams allow your provider to make sure everything looks and feels as it should.
These visits are also opportunities to talk about any issues you are having
that could be subtle signs of a
larger problem,
such as ovarian or uterine cancer.
Breast Cancer Screening
and Mammography
All
women should perform monthly breast self-exams. This helps you get used to how
your breasts normally look and feel, so you can tell as early as possible if
something changes. We can show you how to do this simple exam. We’ll also
perform a breast exam as part of your annual gyn exam.
Recommendations around when to start mammograms have shifted over the past decade. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that all women between the ages of 50 and 75 who are at average risk of breast cancer have mammograms every two years, but this can vary significantly based on your personal and family medical history. We’ll talk with you about your risk factors and concerns and help you decide when to start getting screening mammograms.
STD Testing
For
several years now, data
from the CDC indicates
that syphilis cases and other
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States continue to increase.
Because many of these infections have no obvious symptoms in the early stages,
understanding your risk factors and the subtle symptoms of
these diseases
is important to protect your health.
We
recommend that you get tested for HIV/AIDS at least once after age 20, or
earlier if you are at high risk for being infected by the human
immunodeficiency virus. Discuss further testing with your health care provider.
We can develop a personal plan for future screening for HIV—as well as other
STDs such as syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, hepatitis and trichomoniasis—based
on your individual circumstances.
Bone Density Screening
Unfortunately,
when you enter menopause, lower estrogen puts you at increased risk for several health
conditions
including osteoporosis, a
condition in which your bones become brittle, weak and more prone to fractures.
If
you are menopausal and not taking hormone replacement therapy, it’s a good idea
to have a baseline bone density screening
test
to assess the condition of your bones. If you have other risk factors, such as
a personal or a family history of osteoporosis or bone fractures, we may
recommend earlier screening. We perform this simple, painless test right in our
office.
Your Lifetime
Screening Plan
Of
course, there are many routine health screenings you should have throughout
your life, from blood pressure checks and blood tests to colonoscopies and
more. That’s why we are committed to developing long-term relationships with
our patients. We will work with you throughout your life span to provide
guidance and recommendations to help keep you healthy and catch problems early
when they are most treatable.
If
it’s been more than a year since your last gynecological appointment, please give us a call to schedule one today.
