Part of women’s health is an annual well-woman exam, but only 81% of American women aged 18-64 had an annual exam in the past two years. Overall, women’s health is something that can easily be pushed off, and access for women who are low income, underinsured, or in poor health can be hard to come by.
At Wandisan-Rosete Medical Group in Tracy, California, Drs. Rollie Rosete and Florence Wandisan-Rosete make annual well-woman visits a cornerstone of their women’s wellness program. It is the best form of preventive care for women, helping to identify potentially life-threatening conditions before they become critical.
You should have a well-woman exam every year. Your exam should include most or all of the following:
The Wandisan-Rosete Medical Group team will take a complete medical history, including any past medical issues, surgeries, pregnancies, and family history of disease or illness. You may also be asked about your social life and habits you may have, like drinking or smoking.
If you have been sexually active, the team may recommend a sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening. If you are due for a vaccination booster or flu shot, this can also be administered.
Depending on your age and medical history, your doctor may also order blood tests to check your glucose levels and cholesterol. If you are over the age of 65 (or younger with an increased risk) you may also get a bone density scan to check for osteoarthritis (bone loss).
If you are between the ages of 21 and 64, you’ll have a Pap smear and a human papillomavirus (HPV) test every three to five years (or more often if you are considered high risk). The Pap smear screens for cervical cancer, while the HPV test looks for the virus, which can be a harbinger of a precancerous condition. You may also receive a pelvic exam every few years.
If you are over the age of 50 (40 if you have a familial history of or other risks for breast cancer) you’ll get a mammogram every two years. The mammogram looks for suspicious lumps or changes in breast tissue that could be cancerous. If you don’t have a mammogram, you’ll receive a manual breast exam.
Your well-woman exam is the appointment that is focused on your overall health and your reproductive organs. Approximately 95,000 American women are diagnosed with reproductive cancers every year, and more than 300,000 more are diagnosed with breast cancer. Your well-woman exam could help catch any signs of cancer early and drastically increase your chances of long term survival.
Are you ready to make a New Year’s resolution that can save your life? Pick up the phone and schedule your annual well woman’s visit today. You can reach us at 209-226-4137 or use our scheduling tool to book your appointment online.
