We know that many patients have questions about whether an annual visit is needed yearly. Dr. Jukes and her team know that a yearly Well Women Exam is the foundation for wellness, disease identification, and management, as well as a key component to promoting healthy life. Having a yearly gynecological exam is an important aspect of responsible preventative healthcare and ensures your physical and reproductive well-being.
We are here to help women with their healthcare needs beginning with adolescence, through the reproductive and menopausal years to post-menopause. It is our goal to help you stay as healthy as possible and your annual exam allows us to make sure there are no health concerns. But this visit also gives you a chance to speak with a provider face-to-face about any questions or symptoms you may have.
An annual exam is so much more than just a PAP smear it is a health assessment. We are evaluating your overall health and how it may have changed or if there are issues that should be addressed. As the guidelines continue to change, ACOG, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; mandate the necessity of an annual exam. The exam may include a physical exam, the key components of which may be dependent on the age of the patient. Many, but not all women will have a pelvic exam and a clinical breast exam. Even though you may not need a PAP every year, it is important to have a preventative visit every year with your healthcare provider.
Many problems are often first found through an annual exam. Every woman should be aware that diseases such as breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers have few obvious symptoms and earlier detection increases chances for survival.
We understand life is busy and there are never enough hours in the day. But we encourage you to make an annual exam yearly, so that together; we can come up with an individualized treatment plan that is right for you.