Female Health Screening & Treatment
Female Health Screening & Treatment
From menstrual cycles to postmenopausal issues, our gynecologists aim to maintain a healthy gynecological lifestyle and minimize future health risks. A periodic well-woman visit includes screening and immunizations based on age and risk factors.
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer continues to rank second, after lung cancer, as cause of cancer death among US women. Although screening for breast cancer cannot prevent it, it can help detect it early. A clinical breast exam is performed to feel for lumps or other changes. Mammograms or breast MRIs are scheduled depending on age and risk factors.
Cervical Cancer Screening/Pap Smear
Cervical cancer screening is used to find changes in the cells of the cervix that could lead to cancer. The Pap smear can help prevent cancer or discover it early. The Pap test looks for precancerous cell changes on the cervix that could become cancerous. The HPV test looks for the human papillomavirus that can cause these cell changes.
Immunization & Vaccination
‘Vaccination’ and ‘immunization’ are not quite the same. Vaccination is the term used for getting the injection or oral dose. Immunization refers to the process of both getting the vaccine and becoming immune to the disease following vaccination.
Tdap
The Tdap vaccine provides protection from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). The CDC recommends the Tdap vaccine for everyone starting at ages 11-12 years, with booster shots through adulthood. Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, preferably in the early part of the third trimester to protect the newborn from pertussis.
Influenza
Immunization against influenza is an essential component of women’s health care. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older, including pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding, get the flu vaccine every year.
HPV/Gardasil
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a type of virus that causes genital warts. There are more than one hundred kinds of HPV, and some may increase the risk for cancer. Gardasil is an HPV vaccine used to prevent certain strains of HPV. The CDC recommends that 11 to 12-year-olds receive 2 doses, 6 months apart.
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
Since sexually transmitted conditions are easily spread and can have no symptoms, screening of STDs and STIs (sexually transmitted infection) is essential. This includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, and syphilis. Periodic testing is recommended for anyone with multiple sexual partners since left untreated, STDs cause complications.