May is National Women’s Health Month and to celebrate we are raising awareness on what women can do to prioritize their health.
One of the biggest steps you can take to prioritize your health is to get your annual well-woman checkup. Women’s preventive services can significantly improve health outcomes and save tens of thousands of lives per year by helping catch conditions early, when they may be easier to treat.
Not sure what goes on during a well-woman exam? Keep reading to find out what you can expect and learn why cancer screenings are important.
Your well-woman exam can be done either at your primary care provider’s office or by a gynecologist. Your visit will likely start with a review of your health history. Come to your appointment prepared to answer questions about your medical history, prescriptions, diet, exercise habits and more.
If you have questions about your health, now is the time to ask. Talk to your health care team about:
During your annual well-woman visit, your provider will perform a clinical breast exam and pelvic exam to check for any changes or abnormalities, such as a lump.
A clinical breast exam and pelvic exam is recommended once every year and is 100% covered by the Compass Rose Health Plan as a preventive care visit when seeing a network provider.
A Pap test, also called a Pap smear, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer rates have declined over the years, likely due to the availability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. However, not all cervical cancers are prevented by the vaccine, so it is important to continue getting screened.
There are two tests to screen for cervical cancer:
The type of test and frequency recommended for you depends on your age and medical history. Testing is typically performed as part of your well-woman exam and is free under the Compass Rose Health Plan when seeing a network provider.
Visit our resource page for more on cervical cancer risk factors and prevention.
Regular mammograms are the most useful tests for finding breast cancer in its early stages, when it is usually easier to treat. Many women diagnosed with breast cancer never have any signs or symptoms, and their cancer is found on a screening test, such as a mammogram.
Mammograms are X-ray images of the breasts designed to detect cancers and other changes in breast tissue. During a mammogram, your breasts are compressed between two firm surfaces to spread out the breast tissue. The X-ray captures images that are examined for signs of cancer.
The United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF), one of the nation’s leading influencers of preventive screening guidelines, recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 to 74 years. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your health care team can help determine your personal screening recommendations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 4 women ages 50 to 74 years had not received a mammogram in the past 2 years in 2022. Be sure to schedule your mammogram today if you are not up to date. Your first mammogram of the year is covered under preventive care, and completely free if done in-network.
Visit our resource page for more on breast cancer risk factors, screening, and early detection.
Having conversations about personal matters related to your pelvic health can be uncomfortable. Finding a health care professional you trust and can have an open dialogue with may help to ensure all your concerns are addressed.
It is important to be honest during your annual visit. Your health care team wants the best for you and can only help if they know what you are experiencing. Advocating for yourself is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy.
Access our tips for evaluating and choosing a provider