Dr. Lori Gore-Green | Women's Health Professional

Dr. Lori Gore-Green's Portfolio of Experience as a Women's Health Professional

The Importance of Regular Pap Smears: Protecting Women’s Health

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When it comes to women’s health, preventive care is one of the most powerful tools available. Among the most important routine screenings is the Pap smear — a simple test that plays a crucial role in detecting cervical cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

What Is a Pap Smear?

A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a procedure in which a healthcare provider gently collects cells from a woman’s cervix — the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. These cells are examined under a microscope for abnormalities that could indicate precancerous changes or cervical cancer.

Why Pap Smears Matter

Regular Pap smears have dramatically reduced the rates of cervical cancer and related deaths over the past decades. By detecting abnormal cells early, treatment can prevent the development of cancer altogether.

How Often Should You Get a Pap Smear?

General guidelines recommend women start Pap screening at age 21. From ages 21 to 29, a Pap test is advised every three years if results are normal. From age 30 onward, women can continue Pap smears every three years or opt for a combination Pap smear and HPV test every five years.

Women with certain risk factors — such as a history of abnormal results, a weakened immune system, or exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) — may need more frequent screening.

Don’t Skip It — Even If You Feel Fine

Cervical cancer often develops slowly and without early symptoms. That’s why it’s crucial not to skip routine screening, even if you feel healthy or are no longer sexually active.

Additional Steps for Cervical Health

Besides routine screening, there are other ways to reduce risk:

  • Get vaccinated for HPV. The HPV vaccine is highly effective and can be given to preteens and adults up to age 45.

  • Practice safe sex. Limiting exposure to HPV lowers the risk of cervical changes.

  • Avoid smoking. Smoking increases the risk of cervical and other cancers.

Stay Proactive About Your Health

Regular Pap smears are a quick, simple part of preventive care that can save lives. By staying informed and proactive, women can take control of their cervical health and overall well-being for years to come.

5 Health Screenings for Women

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Maintaining your health as a woman can be difficult. Because of the health risks associated with the sex, you should be proactive in your doctor visits and ensure you are scheduled to receive all necessary examinations. While this may take a chunk out of your wallet and prove disruptive to your free time, taking these preemptive measures can save you from hefty medical bills and painful conditions. Below are a few of the necessary health screenings adult women should regularly get.

 

Bone Density

By age 65, women should start getting screened for osteoporosis and bone cancer. Determining the state of your bones, from their density to their ability to fracture, can help you take measures to strengthen your bones with supplements and avoid further injury. Regular screenings can help track the strength of your bones over time, and these will vary in frequency due to the severity of your bones’ conditions.

 

Skin Examination

As skin cancer has become more common, especially the deadliest form of melanoma, frequently assessing your own skin for abnormalities has become a popular preventative practice. Typically, individuals can check their skin themselves, but it does not hurt to seek a professional opinion. The increasing fascination with tanning had led to significant spikes in the cancerous skin condition, so taking note of your own skin and alerting a doctor upon noticing something strange is a wise procedure.

 

Thyroid Test

To determine whether or not you have a hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, you should strongly consider getting tested roughly once a year, especially after the age of 60. Detecting a thyroid that is working improperly can help diagnose a serious condition like the ones listed above, and with the right diagnosis, treatment will be possible. If left untreated or undiagnosed, however, thyroid conditions can lead to life-threatening challenges like goiters, infections, and mental decline.

 

Mammogram

There are ways you can conduct your own breast cancer assessment at home, but for a clear, accurate diagnosis, seeing your specialized doctor will help ensure the results are correct. In order to detect breast cancer screenings in a facilities entail x-rays that document the interior of the tissue. It is advised that most patients begin getting annual screenings after at 45, but beyond age 55, they may opt for a biannual visit.  If you have family history of the disease or other relevant concerns, you should talk to your doctor to begin screening earlier.

 

Pap Smear

Common regarded as one of the most uncomfortable screenings, a pap smear is incredibly necessary when assessing the health and composition of the sexual organs. Pap smears are used to observe the nature of cells found on the cervix in assessing the probability of developing cancer. It can also be used to allow a doctor to gain more insight into any potential abnormalities about the system and address them appropriately.

At age 21, you should begin getting a pap smear every three years, and by the time you are 30, you can instead choose to get the test every five years.

 

Monitoring and managing your health is important. While there may be some unavoidable hurdles to completing all the necessary screenings and tests, you should strive to participate in as many as you can. Maintaining your wellness and taking preventative measures will help improve your quality of life and help you prepare for the future.