What Every Adult Woman Should Know About Screenings from Their Primary Care Doctor

15 March 2022

While you could take your health seriously, you are probably biased in the sense that you do not believe that the worst could happen to you, which is incorrect. The reality of the matter is that you may not only be at risk of developing serious medical disorders, but you may not even be aware that you are ill since the onset of the illness may not present any conspicuous symptoms. As a result, some health problems go unnoticed for years on end, and when they are finally diagnosed, it could be too late to commence treatment. Fortunately, this does not have to be your reality. A great way to take charge of your health is by being proactive about getting routine medical screenings from your doctor. Keep reading to learn what every adult woman needs to know about screenings from their primary care doctor.

Are screenings diagnostic?

Contrary to popular belief, screenings are not utilised diagnostically. Instead, your primary care doctor will carry out these screenings to identify if there are certain symptoms that you have developed which would require further investigation. Hence, the essence of getting medical screenings is to provide your health care professional the opportunity to pinpoint if something could be off-kilter with your health.

If any warning signs are uncovered during the screening, your doctor will then recommend further testing to ascertain whether you require medical attention or not. Take note, undergoing medical screenings does not automatically mean you are unwell. Even when the doctor prescribes further testing, you may not have anything to worry about since this medical professional simply wants to make sure that they are not overlooking anything.

Which types of screenings should adult women undergo?

• Breast screenings: Commonly referred to as mammograms, these screenings are vital for detecting the potential signs of breast cancer in good time. During your mammogram, the doctor will take X-rays of the breast tissue, and these images will show the presence of abnormalities that may require further investigation. The age and frequency at which you will need to schedule breast screenings will depend on factors such as your age, lifestyle, family history of breast cancer and so on.
• Pelvic screenings: In years past, some women believe that pelvic screenings are only vital once they are middle-aged, but this is grossly incorrect. The truth of the matter is that as long as you are sexually active, you must start scheduling pelvic screenings since your risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections and diseases is increased. Typically, pelvic screenings entail the administration of a pap smear, which collects cervical cells for analysis. You will undergo a physical pelvic exam so that the doctor can check for any abnormalities.

Contact a doctor in your area to learn more.