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| WELL WOMAN CARE AND SCREENING | ||||||
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For most women, an annual gynecologic exam is all they need from their women's health provider. At Boulder Gynecology, we work to make this routine visit pleasant, effective, and comprehensive. The focus of the screening exam changes according to life stage. For adolescents, educating and creating early positive health care encounters is often the most important aspect. Women in their 20s to 40s often need effective contraceptive that fits their lifestyle, and at times, preconception counseling. As women enter midlife, healthy aging becomes the major focus, and receiving accurate information on menopause and their choices is often a primary concern. Avoiding or controlling chronic diseases is central in later life. We tailor the well woman exam to each woman's individual needs. We follow accepted scientific guidelines for Pap smear screening. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), annual pap smears are recommended for all women starting at the age of 21 or three years after the initiation of sexual activity. Starting at age 30, women are routinely offered high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in conjunction with their Pap smear. Infection with high-risk HPV increases a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer. Conversely, the persistent absence of high-risk HPV infection almost guarantees that a woman will not develop cervical cancer. Therefore, women over 30 with negative Pap smears and negative high-risk HPV screening can safely extend their interval for cervical screening to once every three years. However, we still advise the other components of screening be done on an annual basis. We recommend that mammograms be done every one to two years starting at age 40 for average risk women. After age 50, an annual mammogram becomes even more important since a woman's risk of breast cancer increases with age. Boulder Community Hospital now offers digital mammography which has been found to be particularly helpful for younger women and those with dense breasts. The need for other screening tests depends on your age, as well as your personal and family history. We can work with your primary care practitioner to help coordinate any additional screening that may be needed. |
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4800 Riverbend Road, Suite 200 (720) 382-2621