Two of the major illnesses that plague women are highly curable if theyre caught early: cancers of the cervix and breast. An annual gynecological checkup can detect the early stages of these illnesses so they can be treated before they do serious harm.
Yet more than half of all women fail to have a yearly gynecological examination. If youre a woman who is among this majority its important that you see your gynecologist once a year from now on.
The examination will include a Pap smear to detect cancer of the cervix. The same examination will be used to check out the possibility of infection in the vagina.
The gynecologist will also examine the breasts for possible signs of abnormality. If youre a forty-year-old woman, the American Cancer Society advises that you have a baseline mammogram. This will provide a point of reference in case you develop a problem in the future. At this point no safe statement can be made about mammograms. Medical experts advise that you follow your doctors recommendation regarding the procedure.
The gynecological checkup should include a pelvic examination and a urine test for diabetes and kidney problems.
As for a general health checkup, women over fifty should schedule an annual physical examination. However, a woman should see her doctor immediately if something is bothering her, such as pain, persistent cough, or shortness of breath.
