Gynecological Treatment Timeline: What Women Need to Know
Fort Kent – Northern Maine Medical Center would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of women’s health in the St. John Valley and Northern Aroostook County.
NMMC’s Obstetrics/ Gynecological Physician, Dr. Joyce Hebert would like to encourage women of the St. John Valley to be aware of the importance of having routine checkups throughout the lifetime.
“The timeline for initial evaluation and treatment of gynecologic problems including cancers is highly variable, depending on circumstances. Women who feel well should still have regular screening to try to pick up a problem in its earliest stages. Women with a problem, for example, a woman in pain or with heavy bleeding should be seen rapidly, so she can be evaluated and treated.” stated Dr. Hebert.
All women should visit their health care provider from time to time, even if they are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:
• Screen for diseases
• Assess risk of future medical problems
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle
• Update vaccinations
• Maintain a relationship with a doctor in case of an illness
Pap Smears What is a Pap test?
The Pap test, also called a Pap smear, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). The Pap test can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cervical cells, or cervical cancer.
Why do I need a Pap test?
A Pap test can save your life. It can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer. If caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high. Pap tests also can find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells. Treatment can prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing.
Getting regular Pap tests is the best thing you can do to prevent cervical cancer. In fact, regular Pap tests have led to a major decline in the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths.
Do all women need Pap tests?
It is important for all women to have Pap tests, along with pelvic exams, as part of their routine health care. You need a Pap test if you are 21 years or older.
Women who have gone through menopause (when a woman's periods stop) still need regular Pap tests. Women ages 65 and older can talk to their doctor about stopping after at least 3 normal Pap tests and no abnormal results in the last 10 years.
How often do I need to get a Pap test?
It depends on your age and health history. Talk with your doctor about what is best for you. Most women can follow these guidelines:
• Starting at age 21, have a Pap test every 2 years.
• If you are 30 years old and older and have had 3 normal Pap tests for 3 years in a row, talk to your doctor about spacing out Pap tests to every 3 years.
• If you are over 65 years old, ask your doctor if you can stop having Pap tests.
Information:
Even if you feel fine, it is still important to see your health care provider regularly to check for potential problems.
There are specific times when you should see your health care provider. Age-specific guidelines are as follows:
Women ages 18-39 should complete the following….
• Breast self-exam:
o Women may do a monthly breast self-exam.
o Women should contact their health care provider immediately if they notice a change in their breasts, whether or not they do breast self-exams.
o A complete breast exam should be done by a health care provider every 3 years for women age 20-40.
• Pelvic exam and Pap smear:
o Women should have a pelvic exam and Pap smear every 1-2 years to check for cervical cancer, depending on the technique.
o Screening should start within 3 years after first having vaginal intercourse or by age 21.
o If you are over age 30 or your Pap smears have been negative for 3 years in a row, your doctor may tell you that you only need a Pap smear every 2-3 years.
o Women who have had a total hysterectomy (uterus and cervix removed) may choose not to have Pap smears.
o Women who are sexually active should be screened for chlamydia infection. This can be done during a pelvic exam.
Women ages 18-39 should complete the following….
• Blood pressure screening:
o Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years unless it is 120-139/80-89 Hg or higher. Then have it checked every year.
o Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area. Ask your health care provider if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked. Check your blood pressure using the automated machines at local grocery stores and pharmacies.
o If the top number (systolic number) is greater than 130 or the bottom number (diastolic number) is greater than 85, call your doctor.
o If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.
• Cholesterol screening:
o Women over age 44 should be checked every 5 years.
o Colon cancer screening: Women between the ages of 50 and 80 should be screened for colorectal cancer. African-Americans need to start screening at age 45. This may involve:
o A stool test done every year.
o Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years along with a stool guaiac test.
o Colonoscopy every 10 years.
o Double-contrast barium enema.
o Computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy).
• Immunizations:
o You should receive a flu vaccine every year after age 50.
o Ask your doctor if you should get a vaccine to reduce your risk of pneumonia.
o You should have a tetanus-diphtheria booster vaccination every 10 years.
o A shingles or herpes zoster vaccination may be given once after age 60.
• Physical exam:
o Have a physical exam every 1-5 years.
o Your height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) should be checked at each exam.
o Routine diagnostic tests are not recommended.
• Breast exams:
o Women may do a monthly breast self-exam.
o Women should contact their doctor immediately if they notice a change in their breasts, whether or not they do self exams.
o A complete breast exam should be done by a health care provider every year.
• Mammograms:
o Women over the age of 40 should have a mammogram done every 1-2 years depending on risk factors to check for breast cancer.
• Osteoporosis screening:
o All postmenopausal women with fractures should have a bone density test (DEXA scan).
o Women under 65 who have risk factors for osteoporosis should be screened.
• Pelvic exam and Pap smear:
o Women should have a yearly pelvic exam and Pap smear done to check for cervical cancer and other disorders.
o If your Pap smears have been normal for 3 years in a row, your doctor may tell you that you only need a Pap smear to every 2-3 years.
o Women who have had a total hysterectomy (uterus and cervix removed) may choose not to have Pap smears.
o Women who are sexually active should be screened for chlamydia infection. This can be done during a pelvic exam.
AGE 65 AND OLDER
• Blood pressure screening:
o Have your blood pressure checked every year.
o If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be watched more closely.
• Cholesterol screening:
o If your cholesterol level is normal, have it rechecked every 3-5 years.
o If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.
• Colon cancer screening: One of the following screening tests should be done:
o A stool test every year
o Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years along with a stool guaiac test
o Colonoscopy every 10 years
o Computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy)
• Breast exams:
o Women may do a monthly breast self-exam.
o Women should contact their doctor immediately if they notice a change in their breasts, whether or not they do self exams.
o A complete breast exam should be done by a health care provider every year.
• Mammograms:
o Women should have a mammogram done every 1-2 years depending on risk factors to check for breast cancer.
• Osteoporosis screening:
o All women should have a bone density test (DEXA scan).
o Ask your doctor about the proper calcium intake and exercise needed to help prevent osteoporosis.
• Pelvic exam and Pap smear:
o Women should have a yearly pelvic exam and Pap smear done to check for cervical cancer and other disorders.
o If your Pap smears have been negative for 3 years in a row, your doctor may tell you that you only need a Pap smear to every 2 - 3 years.
o Women who have had a total hysterectomy (uterus or cervix removed) may choose not to have Pap smears.
o If you are over 70 and your Pap smear has been normal for 10 years, or if your test results have been normal for 3 years in a row, you may choose not to have any more Pap smears.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Hebert call her office at 834-5912.
