Screening for Common Cancers that Affect Women
Part of your yearly gynecological exam will include screening for common women’s cancers:
- Breast cancer — Breast examinations in the office, off-site mammography
- Cervical cancer — Pap smears and associated tests
- Ovarian cancer — screening for this disease is limited as there is no reliable screening test. As medical research continues and advances, we will offer the latest tests available to our patients.
We also provide a Hereditary Cancer Assessment which is a genetic test for the evaluation of an individual’s genetic risk of developing primary inherited cancers over their lifetime. When scheduling a Hereditary Cancer Assessment, please fill out the questionnaire and bring it to your appointment.
As part of our holistic view of your overall health, we will recommend you have a colonoscopy at age 50 or above (and at regular intervals after that) to screen for colon cancer or pre-cancerous conditions, and we will review your personal history to look for risks for other cancers. A careful review of family history, regular gynecologic examinations, and education about the warning signs of breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers are part of your basic care at our practice. If you are concerned about a symptom or condition that arises, please call our office to set up an appointment.