Cervical cancer can be deadly, but it’s also curable when found in its earliest stages. Take steps to prevent cervical cancer and protect your health and your life. Regular screening ensures we catch it as early as possible. Here’s what to do.
Whether it’s raising children and balancing a career or continuing your education, women today have a lot of responsibilities. And with so much to do, women often put themselves last, skipping activities they enjoy and delaying such important personal appointments as well-woman visits.
If you’ve missed your annual wellness exam — or never had one — you may want to rethink your priorities. At OB/GYN Care of Houston, we put together these reasons it's wise to schedule one sooner rather than later.
Your OB/GYN is your best resource for women’s health and wellness. Even if you feel like the perfect picture of vibrant health, annual well-woman exams play an important role in catching illnesses that may go unrecognized and preventing health issues from creeping up.
Many health problems cause no symptoms in the early stages and can go undetected if you’re skipping your annual wellness visits. The sooner we detect problems, the better chance we have of successfully resolving them.
Our team at OB/GYN Care of Houston believes that living a long, healthy life starts with preventive health care. Through your annual well-woman visit, your OB/GYN can detect:
Detecting some of these problems early enough could save your life, and treatment for others can improve the quality of your life.
Throughout your life, your body is always changing. Whether you’re experiencing a first pregnancy, noticing painful periods, or entering perimenopause, your well visit provides an opportunity for you to ask questions that you may have at each life stage.
You can ask questions about anything you’re uncertain about and gain insight into:
Your OB/GYN Care of Houston doctor can help you with your concerns and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist.
Your wellness visit is also an opportunity for your OB/GYN to monitor and track any conditions you have and to provide necessary treatment or changes to treatment.
For instance, if you have heavy periods and have a treatment plan, your doctor tracks your progress and symptoms to see if the current treatment is working for you.
Your OB/GYN also monitors:
Even if you think treatment is going well, your doctor may suggest a treatment that’s more convenient or may work better.
While the number of human papillomavirus infections have risen, deaths from cervical and breast cancer have decreased due to a combination of factors, including earlier detection. When you stop in for your wellness check, your OB/GYN can screen you for:
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses. Roughly 40% of women in the United States have HPV. Many women never have symptoms and don’t know that they’re carrying the virus.
During your Pap smear, your OB/GYN checks for certain strains of HPV that significantly increase the chances of developing cervical cancer. A Pap smear can detect abnormal cells before they have a chance to become cancerous.
Cervical cancer can be difficult to detect early on without a Pap smear. The telltale signs of heavy bleeding and discharge take a while to develop. Other symptoms are often vague and mimic other diseases. Routine Pap smears help catch cervical cancer early or prevent it altogether.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women. But you aren’t powerless. Routine breast exams during your annual well visits with your OB/GYN increase the chances of catching it early before it reaches an advanced stage. Your doctor checks for lumps and any other clues of something amiss with your breasts and refers you for further testing if necessary.
Having a good relationship with your OB/GYN and getting your annual well-woman exam is essential to your ongoing health. If you’re in the Houston area, stop in and see us for comprehensive women’s wellness care. Call or book your appointment online.
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