Stay on Track: Plan Your Women’s Health Screenings with AdventHealth

Regular screenings are essential for maintaining your overall health. Some can help identify concerns early, and others give you an opportunity to work with your doctor on a customized care plan to help you stay well and feel whole.

AdventHealth for Women’s Health Navigator Doreen Forsythe, BSN, RN is here to help explain the health screenings women should never skip.

The Well-Woman Examination

“The well-woman examination is a yearly checkup performed by either your primary care physician or by your OB/GYN,” says Doreen. “This annual screening is a great time to catch up with your care provider to review your medical and family history and share with them any changes you may have had with your body over the last year.”

During the well-woman exam, your provider may perform a clinical breast exam, a pelvic examination and a Pap smear. Additional testing may be suggested.

Mammogram

A mammogram is a screening used to look for signs of breast cancer. Mammogram technology has come a long way in recent years and is now available in 3D.

Your provider will review your history and work with you to determine the best time to begin screening mammograms. For most women, “after you turn 40, you should start getting a screening mammogram once a year,” says Doreen. “But it’s also important to do self-exams regularly.”

Colorectal Screening

Colorectal screening is used to determine the presence of any cancerous or precancerous cells in your lower digestive tract. It generally involves a colonoscopy of one type or another and the use of sedatives to make you comfortable during the process. Colorectal screening should begin at age 45.

“The screening usually takes less than an hour and is not anywhere near as uncomfortable as you might think,” says Doreen. “Your doctor will provide some level of anesthesia, whether conscious sedation, or Monitored Anesthesia Care which has a rapid onset and a quick recovery time.”

Blood Pressure: Know Your Numbers

“Knowing your numbers is a powerful tool for maintaining good heart health because it allows you to know what changes you need to make or what to keep doing right,”

explains Doreen. It’s recommended that you start checking your blood pressure regularly starting at age 18. Tracking your lipid panel is also important — this includes your total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and lipids.

“If your blood pressure is elevated, you should seek medical care and contact your provider. If you don’t have an established provider, we can assist you in getting established with a primary care physician or specialist,” says Doreen.

Taking Charge of Your Whole Health

AdventHealth is dedicated to providing women with the highest possible level of care, including offering a trusted partner for their health care journeys. Doreen Forsythe BSN, RN, Women’s Health Navigator, is an experienced health care advocate who can answer your questions and offer you unparalleled guidance and support as you take charge of your gynecologic health. Learn more about personal health care coordination at HerHealthNavigator. com.