Times are tight and everyone is feeling the pinch. For some, it’s tempting to forego an annual doctor’s exam. Peter A. Zedler, M.D., a gynecologist with Virginia Women’s Center, says women need to put their health first now more than ever.
According to Zedler, a woman’s annual exam sets the stage for a lifetime of good health. He hopes women will consider the following:
Skipping routine doctor’s appointments leads to missing the signs of illness when it is most treatable and, as a result, less costly to treat.
Routine visits can help women stay up-to-date on age-appropriate screenings, such as tests for cervical cancer and breast cancer, and also vaccinations.
The annual exam is more than a series of tests. Regular face-to-face visits strengthen the doctor-patient relationship and allow for women to ask questions and address health concerns. This rationale is especially true with women's health care.
An annual clinical breast exam, for example, is a vital component of overall breast health. Gynecologists and nurse practitioners have the expertise and experience to identify changes in the breast and also small lumps that often the patient does not recognize. The sooner these concerns are addressed the better.
Likewise the annual Pap test can signal changes in the lining of cervix caused by disease or infection. Once identified as a pre-cancer, abnormal tissue is more complicated – and uncomfortable – to treat.
Annual lab work may reveal subtle changes such as a low thyroid or red blood cell count. Fatigue happens to be a symptom of thyroid disease and anemia, however a woman may just write off fatigue as stress. Both conditions and others similar are often easy to treat right away.
Many women use their ob-gyns as primary care physicians. So, it’s at this annual visit where a patient is most likely to learn about problematic blood pressure, cholesterol or weight changes.
Finally, most women cherish the opportunity – even just once a year – to connect with their doctor or nurse practitioner – to ask questions and be reassured about certain issues or problem solve together. The annual visit is a form of self care.
There are many aspects of the current economic situation we cannot change,” Zedler said. “Ensuring our own good health during this time does not have to be one of them.”
