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Health Maintenance Recommendations for Women
Age 21-35
*Blood
pressure check each year to screen for signs of hypertension.
*Pap
smear and pelvic exam every 1 to 3 years to screen for cervical and other
gynecologic
cancers
or precancerous conditions.
*Cholesterol
studies to help evaluate your risk for coronary artery disease.
*Tetanus-Diptheria
(Td) booster every 10 years for prevention of tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria
with added pertussis booster (Tdap) once during adulthood to prevent pertussis
(whooping cough).
*Advice
will be offered when appropriate on diet, exercise, smoking, and drug or alcohol
abuse to help improve your quality of life and to reduce your risk of future
illness.
Vaccination with
Gardasil at a gynecology office should be considered for women up to age 26 for
prevention of HPV (human papilloma virus), the virus responsible for nearly all
cases of cervical cancer.
Please note that this is a very expensive vaccine (about $200 per shot
with 3 shots required), is not always covered by insurance, and is a relatively
new treatment with as yet unproven long term effects.
A
ge 36-64
*All
of the above plus:
*Breast
exam by a doctor each year for detection of breast tumors.
*Mammography
every 1 to 2 years starting at age 50 then every 1-2 years thereafter
for early detection of breast tumors.
*Stool
testing for blood each year for early detection of colorectal tumors.
*Colonoscopy
beginning at age 50 then every 5-10 years for early detection of colorectal
tumors.
*Electrocardiogram
to screen for signs of heart disease and to serve as a reference baseline.
*Complete
blood count, blood chemistry panel, and urinalysis for detection of hematologic,
liver, and kidney disease; repeat labs depending on individual risks.
*Influenza
vaccination each year for prevention of flu and its complications.
For our patients 60
and over, vaccination with Zostavax can be considered for reducing the chance
and severity of shingles (Herpes zoster).
Please note that this is a very expensive vaccine (over $200), is not
usually covered by insurance, and is only partially protective against shingles.
Age
65 and Above
*All
of the above plus:
*Pneumovax
once after age 65 to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia.
For our patients age
65 and above, tetanus vaccination is recommended every 10 years with the
Tetanus-Diptheria vaccine instead of the Tetanus-Diptheria-Pertussis vaccine
(the pertussis containing vaccine is not yet approved for patients 65 and over).
Patients 65 or over
with repeatedly normal Pap smears and any patient with a history of hysterectomy
generally do not require ongoing Pap smears and pelvic exams.
These
guidelines represent an overview of our general recommendations for health
maintenance and disease prevention.
Your special needs for various evaluations will depend upon your personal
history, family history, risk factors, and physical findings.
We will tailor a screening protocol to fit your individual health needs.
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