The Pap test is to detect abnormal cells on the cervix before they have a chance to become cancerous, or to detect cancer early. All women over 21 and those who have been sexually active for 3 years should have a pap smear every 2-3 years depending on your history. If abnormalities are found, we may need to schedule more frequent tests – all to ensure your health and catch problems early.
Are you over 40? Have you had a baseline mammogram? If not, please call Arizona Women’s Care for an appointment. Breast cancer has the best outcome if we can catch it early. Breast cancer risk increases with age, so we recommend all women over 40 have a mammogram every year.
Osteoporosis can be difficult to catch early. Brittle bones can make daily living more restricted and dangerous. There are treatments available, but they work best (like so many treatments) when we catch them early. Your physician will be able to recommend a bone density scan if you are at risk for osteoporosis.
Risk factors include:
If you are 50 or older, you are increasingly at risk for colon cancer. We recommend you have a colonoscopy at age 50 to screen for pre-cancerous polyps. As with cervical cancer, early detection has a greater chance of a positive outcome. If you are 50 or older and have not yet had a colonoscopy, call Arizona Women’s Care today to discuss how to get a colonoscopy scheduled and know that this is another potentially life-saving procedure that is truly important to your health.
High cholesterol levels can be an indication of poor heart health and lead to heart disease. A healthy woman age 40 or older will need to have her lipid profiles done every year. If your physician decides you display certain risk factors such as high blood pressure or a high BMI, it may be that you will need to get your cholesterol tested earlier. If you are concerned, please talk to us at your next appointment.
Your family planning needs are an important part of your health. Arizona Women’s Care would like to help you with your contraceptive requirements. We will review your health history, family planning desires, come up with a plan so that any children you have will be planned-for, and given the best start.
All contraceptive options have advantages and drawbacks depending on your needs, so it is best to discuss these options with your physician.
Reversible contraceptive options:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the US. Anyone who has been sexually active can be exposed to HPV.
While HPV infections can sometimes go away with no effect, it is foolish to ignore. An HPV infection can lead to:
There are many different strains of HPV, so some will cause problems like warts, and others can cause abnormal cells on your cervix that lead to cancer. Unfortunately, there’s no real way to predict what your effects might be.
HPV – What Can I Do to Protect Myself?
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Arizona Women’s Care. Our team is here to help you stay healthy, informed, and supported throughout your care.
