Annual Exams

Annual cancer screenings should not be delayed, even during a pandemic

By Stephanie Jaquins

While many patients have turned to telehealth for their medical needs during the coronavirus pandemic, some appointments don’t work well through a screen.

A woman’s yearly exam with her gynecologist or midwife requires a physical examination.

In recent months, many patients have postponed their annual exams to avoid a trip to the hospital or medical office. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll published on May 27 found that 48 percent of American adults had skipped or postponed medical appointments over the previous three months.

Dr. Anna Bida Dudun at the Women’s Health Care Center at Illinois Valley Community Hospital recommends her patients keep their appointments at the Peru office. Dudun recently answered some questions for IV Woman about the basics of yearly exams, the impact of COVID-19 and the importance of keeping your yearly exam appointments.

Q. First, can you walk me through what yearly exams entail?

A. A normal annual exam would be a breast and pelvic exam, preventive care discussion, STD prevention history, any issues and concerns, cancer screenings (cervical, breast,

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT ANDERSON Women’s Health Care Center doctors Anna Bida Dudun and Ilan Bornstein (pictured) recommend not putting off annual cancer screenings due to COVID-19.

colon) osteoporosis in menopausal women and pregnancy prevention, if needed.

Q. Is there anything women need to do to prepare for their exam?

A. Just be ready with any questions you need answered and any medications you are on.

Q. What safety measures are in place in your office for COVID-19?

A. We ask appropriate questions regarding COVID-19, as well as temperature checks for the patient and one guest (no one under 18). Masks are required and we, of course, have increased disinfecting and sanitizing practices.

Q. If a patient is anxious to come into the office for their annual exam, do you think it’s OK to delay the appointment? If so, for how long?

A. We would encourage patients to keep their appointments. We do not want them to neglect their health and, in many cases, people will become more anxious with time. We realize patients are worried about coming to a medical facility, however medical facilities are taking all precautions.

Q. Have many patients canceled appointments because of the pandemic?

A. We had many patients reschedule their appointments, especially in March, April and May of this year.

Q. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is approaching. In your experience, how often do you discover a breast lump during an annual exam as opposed to the patient coming to you with a concern?

A. That would be 50/50. Some patients certainly are doing their self-breast exams, but many do not and have no complaints. There is a portion of those patients that have a lump or pain found at their annual screening exam.