The Importance of a Well-Woman Exam

Women lead busy lives, with lots of demands and responsibilities at home, at work, and in their social lives. It can be hard to carve out the time to see the doctor, especially if you’re not sick. But if you’re not seeing the doctor for regular well-woman visits, you could be leaving yourself open to significant health risks, especially as you get older. At Dekalb Women’s Specialists, our team of top-ranked doctors and care providers offers comprehensive women’s health services, including well-woman exams designed to keep you healthy and help you ward off illnesses and diseases. With locations in Decatur, Lithonia, and Stone Mountain, Georgia, we make it convenient to get the care you need for your healthy life.If you’re wondering why an annual well-woman visit is so important for your health and wellness, here are some statistics that might surprise you.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women

Every year in the United States, about 300,000 women die of heart disease, the number one killer for both women and men. About 6% of women have coronary heart disease, a common type of heart disease associated with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Yet statistics show many women don’t realize their risks or understand the symptoms of heart disease, which means it can go undiagnosed and untreated.

During a well-woman exam, our team will evaluate your heart to look for early signs of heart disease. Plus, we can help you understand your risk factors and what symptoms to look for.

Breast cancer kills more than 40,000 American women each year

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women, exceeded only by skin cancer. Every year in the U.S., about a quarter million women are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 die from the disease.

Your well-woman exam will include a breast cancer checkup, using manual techniques to check for lumps and other unusual changes in your breast tissue. Our team can also teach you techniques to help you check for lumps at home. Depending on your risk factors and your age, we may recommend a mammogram to evaluate your breasts for tiny signs of cancer that might not be picked up during a manual exam.

About 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year

The National Cancer Institute estimates about 4,300 women will die of cervical cancer annually in the US. Fortunately, that number is declining. Why? Because more women understand the importance of regular screenings with Pap tests and HPV tests.

About 90% of cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Regular screenings can help “catch” cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. Our team offers both Pap smears and HPV testing as part of our well-woman services and as a standalone service during a gynecological exam.

Better health for every stage of life

Well-woman exams offer these and other important health screenings to look for signs of diseases in their earliest stages. But that’s not all a well-woman exam does.

Women go through an amazing number of changes throughout their lives, from puberty, through the childbearing years, and during perimenopause and menopause. That means your body is always changing, along with your health needs. Having annual well-woman visits is the best way to ensure your health care changes along with those needs, so you can enjoy optimal wellness at every stage of life.

In addition to health screenings, we’ll discuss your personal and family health history, perform a complete physical exam, and order blood work and other tests to evaluate your overall wellness. Based on your personal health profile, we’ll make recommendations for health and lifestyle changes that can help you stay healthy and prevent many chronic diseases.

Schedule your well-woman exam

Your annual well-woman exam provides a foundation that helps our team provide customized care tailored for your changing needs. To schedule your exam, call Dekalb Women’s Specialists and request an appointment today.