Stay Informed Part 1

Thank you guys for all the well wishes yesterday!!!  It was a pretty good day. I just jump everytime the phone rings lol. A blog reader sent me some info and I wanted to pass this along to you guys...I will break it up into different sections, so you can digest it all.

Still no sewing! Tune in tomorrow for the first Conversations with Adrienne Podcast of the new year!!!! LOL OH and I have  bunch of posts ready to go out lol....GOTTA LOVE TYPEPAD!!!! LOL but not more than one per day lol...don't go getting all excited lol

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Patient Empowerment: The Role of Women during the Annual Doctor Visit

By Marie Savard, MD

The average woman pays more attention to her children’s medical history or pet’s vet schedule than her own health.  Though research has shown that the more involved and informed patients are in managing their own health, the better their outcome, many don’t recognize the importance of taking charge of their health until it’s too late.

Today’s patients are deluged with information and misinformation. For example, one of the biggest misconceptions that women have is that they are “safe” from cervical cancer as long as they have their annual Pap smear. While it is true that regular use of the Pap test has led to a significant reduction in the number of Americans who die from cervical cancer, it is not foolproof.  In fact, when used alone, it is only 50 to 85 percent effective in identifying women with precancerous or cancerous cells.

However, there is a new test available that increases the ability to identify women at risk of cervical cancer to nearly 100 percent, when performed with the Pap. It’s a test for the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer. Although the FDA has approved the HPV test for routine screening in women 30 and older, many women aren’t aware that it exists and that many doctors don’t yet offer it unless asked (It’s important to distinguish between doing an HPV test only when a Pap result is unclear, and ordering an HPV test upfront – no matter what the Pap result. The first is now routine, the second is an emerging standard of care and must often be requested). 

Doctors have less time than ever to talk with their patients about conditions and treatment options.  In fact, the average gynecologic visit is 22 minutes long, which may account for the fact that only 43 percent of female patients say they’ve shared their health concerns with their doctors, according to researchers at Purdue University.

Therefore, women need to educate themselves with the most up-to-date medical information, which they can do by interviewing different doctors and exchanging information with family and friends.

It is equally important to be prepared. Here are some vital steps women should take before their next gynecologic visit:

•    Develop a list of questions to discuss with your doctor. If you have a lot of questions,   mention this to the office staff when making your appointment. 
•    Be familiar with which tests to get. A good source for this information is: http://www.mercksource.com/ppdocs/us/cns/content/savard/forms/adult_personal_screening_18_64.pdf
•    Follow up on test results. No news is not necessarily good news! It’s a good idea to give your doctor’s office a self-addressed stamped envelope so the results can be mailed to you.
•    Set goals with the doctor for your next visit.

For more information about HPV, the HPV test and cervical cancer prevention, visit http://www.theHPVtest.com.

Marie Savard, MD, is a nationally recognized internist, expert on patient empowerment and author of The Body Shape Solution to Weight Loss and Wellness: The Apples & Pears Approach to
Losing Weight, Living Longer, and Feeling Healthier.   

Comments

[Jude]

That number one tip is so true.. come with your list of questions! I always forget and you know, nowadays, you will not get to call and TALK to that doctor again! Keeping you in prayer!!

[Tany]

Thank you for sharing all this information, Adrienne. I know it will help many people because it addresses a very important issue in our lives (our health). Stay informed is the word!

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

Wow I didn't know you could now request HPV test as a part of your pap smear routine!
I still need to schedule mine. Thanks for edu-ma-cating us Gurl! :o)

[Maria]

Thanks for sharing this very important infotmation! Keeping you in prayer my friend. Hope those results come in soon as I know how hard it is to sit and wait...

[susan b anderson]

I am thinking about you, Adrienne. Best wishes.

Can't wait to hear your podcast!

[Lisette]

During my 2006 appointment my doctor told me about the HPV test and how it was now part of the routine exam. She explained that if it came back positive she would recommend more frequent pap smears. Thank you for putting the information out there!

[sherri]

Wow... I didn't know it wasn't included. I'll be asking for this next month at my appointment. TY

[Kim]

Good luck with you test results. I'm keeping you in my prayers.

Another thing the article doesn't mention is if your doctor doesn't take your concerns seriously or doesn't want to do the testing it's time to find another doctor.

[Dawn Bibbs]

Wow, what a wealth of information. Thanks!!

Glad you had a good day. I was thinking about you. So much so that I give you a prayer lift up on my blog yesterday. Glad to know that it helped.

Have a great day, my friend.

[MrsSaditty]

Wow! I was not educated on the connection between HPV and cervical cancer until I was a grown woman.all of the info in today's post is so useful!

[Anna]

my current doc is the only one that performed an HPV test - which turned out negative, thank goodness - when my results came back as a typical. this is so much more common than most women realize; keep putting the info out there; you just might save a sistah's life!!!

[Cassandra]

I am still praying for you dear. You should always remember that.

I am going to schedule my papt test and request the HPV testing too. Thanks for the information.

[greta adams]

my gyno visit is coming in the next few months and i will be requesting that test!!

thanks for sharing adrienne...how are you have you heard anything...

i am at work so email me back there

love ya girl

[shai]

Thanks for the info. I go for my annual exam this week. It takes SO long to get an appointment with my doc, talked about booked up.

I had some questions already now I will add based on your post.

[sheila]

Thanks for sharing. When I went for my exam last year, I was informed that the HPV is rountine exam.

[Bobbi]

Thanks for sharing! I'll keep thins in mind when I make my appointment this year.

[Adriann]

Thank you for sharing that! It is so true that we don't take care of ourselves like we should. I've been putting off a mammogram for the longest. I didn't make an appointment until I felt a lump and started experiencing pain. Thankfully, it was all the normal process of aging.

I will definitely request the HPV test with my next pap.

Continuing to lift you up in prayer.

Blessings!!!

[Robyn Weatherspoon]

I just wanted to send you a great big Cyber-Hug!!!