It’s safe to assume that few women enjoy going to their family doctor or OBGYN for a routine gynecological exam. You would rather do a lot of other things than get a pap smear, for example. There are a lot of other things that are higher on your list. Even though getting a well-woman’s exam every year may not be high on your priority list, it is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. If you go to your annual well-woman exam, many potentially serious health conditions can be detected early. That is on the grounds that numerous ailments and infections don’t show side effects until they’ve progressed. Treatment may be simpler and more successful if caught early before symptoms appear. Keep in mind that the key to living a long and healthy life is early intervention and preventative care.
Why early intervention is so important
Many of us have seen or read stories about how a routine exam ended up saving someone’s life from an illness they didn’t even know they had. You never know when you might be developing something serious that is still largely undetectable, even if you believe that you are the epitome of health and take excellent care of yourself. When a disease has spread to other tissues, the typical symptoms like bleeding, pain, or discharge do not appear. When an illness reaches the symptom stage, particularly cancer, treatment can become more difficult.
During your well-woman exam, more than just gynecological issues are checked. Additionally, you will undergo a breast examination to try to spot any problems, particularly breast cancer. Because the incidence of breast cancer is rising worldwide, regular screenings are necessary. Early intervention is essential to successful breast cancer treatment.
During your well-woman exam, what kinds of illnesses or abnormalities is your doctor looking for? Since it is a general health status check, nothing unusual will be found. Nevertheless, the procedure and any testing that is carried out during it can reveal a few major issues.
What kinds of things are screened against you?
During your well-woman exam, some of the most important things that can be found are as follows:
HPV
One of the most prevalent sexually transmitted viruses is the human papillomavirus, or HPV. It is estimated that about 25% of people carry some strain of it. There are various types of HPV, and their effects can vary. Since many people do not exhibit symptoms, they are unaware that they are carriers. On the other hand, your doctor will check for HPV because certain strains of the virus that can be passed from one person to another through sexual activity can significantly increase your risk of developing cervical cancer. In point of fact, the infection with HPV is thought to be the most common cause of cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer
Without a pap smear, it can be challenging to catch cervical cancer early. Like other cancers that can cause death, heavy bleeding and discharge are early warning signs. They might also be signs of less serious illnesses. If you do have cervical cancer, getting a pap smear every year is the best way to catch it early. Before cancer even starts, you might even find it as precancerous cells. Don’t worry if your doctor says your pap smear results are abnormal because they could mean a lot of different things. Be aware, however, that early detection of cervical cancer may, in rare instances, be possible.
Breast Cancer
Unfortunately, breast cancer is a leading cause of death for women in many nations. You are not powerless, though. If you catch it early through a routine exam, you have a much better chance of successfully treating it than if you catch it later. Your doctor will look for lumps and any other signs of trouble. You’ll likewise talk about ways you can actually look at yourself over time. Self-checks are much more important than annual visits to the doctor.
Conclusion
Your annual well-woman exam is a thorough health check. As part of your health history, a lot of questions will be asked to help figure out what to look for. Additionally, a physical examination will be performed to check your vitals. A pelvic exam, which may include a pap smear depending on your age, will be performed alongside a breast exam. On the off chance that you haven’t gone for your test in as of late or you’re simply coming up on a year, book an arrangement online with us today to plan your test. It can save your life and give you peace of mind.