Health : Check-up for women II

1st Phase – After the onset of first menstruation
It is important that all women seek a gynecologist as soon as the first menstrual cycle appears. At that age, besides the visit to the gynecologist, who will schedule the frequency and timing of the visits and which exams to perform, it is also important for the teenager to be educated about the importance of self – breast examination, especially if there is a family history of breast pathology such as cancer.

Cytology (Pap smear)
Should be performed annually for women age 18 or earlier, if they have already been involved in a sexual relationship, women who are or have been sexually active, even older women. Women with a history of a treated uterine cervix cancer should perform it more often, about 4 times a year.

Breast palpation
The self – examination should be done monthly by the woman herself, after her menstrual period. Menopausal women or those who do not menstruate for whatever reason should examine their breasts once a month. If there is a palpable lump, noticeable skin change or have a discharge of secretion from the nipple, they should consult the doctor immediately.

2nd Phase – 30 to 40 years of age
In this period, the greatest incidence of breast and cervix cancer is found. All women of 40 years of age should perform a mammography. Currently many gynecologists recommend performing the first mammogram at age 35, while in women with a family history of breast cancer (mother, grandmother, aunts) this examination should be performed earlier on, before age 30 and on a yearly basis.

Gynecological exams
– Mammography and eventually Breast Ultrasound
– Pelvic Ultrasound and /or gynecological ultrasound (transvaginal)
– Pap smear

Routine examinations
Besides gynecological exams it is important to complement it with routine annual exams in order to diagnose existing but not yet demonstrated diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart and thyroid diseases. Of course not all of these tests should be included in this age group, because what will determine the need will be the history/clinical observation (physical examination), the hygiene- dietetic habits, genetic factors, etc., and others will be mandatory in the following phases. But still, I list here the main routine tests:

– CBC
– Sedimentation rate
– Study of coagulation (prothrombin time, INR, activated partial thromboplastin time)
– Glucose Test to measure FBS
– Uric acid test
– Kidney function test (urea, creatinine)
– Lipid profile (cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides)
– Renal function (transaminases), alkaline phosphatase, GGT
– Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP)
– Thyroid function test (TFT)
– C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
– Urine Test
– Resting Electrocardiogram test (ECG)

Other specific additional tests according to clinical history:
– Stress test (EKG)
– Echocardiogram
– Abdominal Ultrasound
– Renal Ultrasound
– Evidence of visual acuity (Ophthalmology)
– Audiogram (Otolaryngology)
– Spirometry (breathing function tests)
– Thorax Rx