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Did you know nearly 24% of women ages 40 to 60 say they haven’t been to their OB/GYN in over 3 years?
Once a woman becomes 21, it’s time to start getting annual exams with an OB/GYN. Scheduling an appointment for your annual pap smear examination is very important.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable kinds of cancers with the proper screenings and vaccines, yet lots of women still are affected by it. Getting a proper cervical cancer screening exam could save your life. The earlier cervical cancer is detected, the better.
Some common symptoms of cervical cancer may include: pelvic pain not related to your menstrual cycle, abnormal or irregular bleeding, pain during urination, and heavy and unusual discharge. Although you may experience some of these symptoms, consult with your doctor for further testing and answers. It does not mean you have cervical cancer.
It is recommended to visit your OB/GYN or primary healthcare provider annually to get screened for cervical cancer. If your results come back normal, you may be able to skip your annual and go every 3 years.
If you have a fear of going to the doctor’s office, try bringing a friend with you or practice breathing exercises. Other ways to overcome your fear include: going to the same doctor, using positive affirmations, and asking the doctor for an explanation of what’s going to happen at your appointment.
A great way to ease your worries about going to the doctor is to confide in a friend and talk about your experiences with one another, maybe even schedule your appointments for the same day.
Your USFHP coverage provides routine doctor's visits, hospitalization, prescription coverage, preventative health care coverage and specialty care. We’ve also developed incentive programs that give rewards to our members for meeting certain health goals.
Visit https://www.usfhp.net/ or call 1-800-241-4848 for help finding a provider or assistance scheduling an appointment.