Regular gynecology care is essential to the long-term health of women from adolescence to post-menopause. Annual gynecological exams serve as a preventative healthcare measure for women throughout all stages of life.
Annual exams can help detect problems early when treatment is most effective. The most important part of preventative health care is your routine yearly exam. The Pap test, which can be performed during a pelvic exam , collects cells from the cervix to examine. This test screens for cervical cancer as well as other conditions that may cause abnormal results. Cervical cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells grow in the cervix. The Pap test collects cells from the cervix and they are sent to our lab to be analyzed.
Not every abnormal Pap test result indicates cervical cancer, but getting a yearly examination allows us to catch any issues early and investigate further. Breast cancer screenings may be performed at each yearly examination during the clinical exam. Your provider may palpate the breast tissue to check for lumps or other changes.
The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Women over the age of 40 can start getting mammograms x-rays yearly to check for changes in breast tissue. Those with family history of breast cancer are recommended to receive mammograms earlier and more frequently. Ovarian cance r occurs when abnormal cells grow in or near the ovaries. At your annual wellness exam, our doctors will palpate your ovaries during the pelvic examination.
Any questionable findings will lead to further investigation through ultrasound, blood test and biopsies. As with all diseases, early detection and treatment is the key to more successful outcomes. An STD screening is an important part of preventative health care for a sexually active person and can protect the health of you and your partner.
