Here at Northern OB-GYN, your continued health is our top concern. Routine preventative care exams provide your caregivers with valuable information to best meet your personal needs.
These exams can allow for early cancer detection and treatment, as well as diagnosis of many other concerns. Let us guide you on the path to your best possible health, schedule your yearly exam today!
What should I expect during my annual exam?
- General physical exam (including breast exam)
- Pelvic exam (pap smear)
- Update of life and work situation
- Update of family health history (any new serious illnesses in your family?)
- Review of your health history
- Update of current medications, herbs, and supplements (bring list)
- Need for medication refills
- Evaluation of need for health screening tests based on age and personal and family history (such as mammogram, test for sexually transmitted diseases, and colon cancer screening)
- Update on immunizations
What is a Pap test?
The Pap test,also called a Pap smear, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). The Pap test can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cervical cells, or cervical cancer.
Why do I need a Pap test?
A Pap test can save your life. It can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer. If caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high. Pap tests also can find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells. Treatment can prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing. Getting regular Pap tests is the best thing you can do to prevent cervical cancer. In fact, regular Pap tests have led to a major decline in the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths.
