Annual Exams

Should I have the HPV Vaccine? HPV, or human papilloma virus infection, is the most common cause of cervical cancer. With the advent of Pap smears, and now the HPV vaccine, we have seen a significant reduction in cervical cancer deaths over the last few decades. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving the HPV vaccine usually by the age of 11 or 12, as is most effective if given prior to sexual debut. This vaccine does not prevent all forms of HPV infection as, there are dozens of HPV subtypes that we do not know about. It does however immunize patients against the most common strains associated with cervical cancer. The FDA has recently approved use of the vaccine up until the age of 45. We are beginning to see more coverage from insurance companies recently, however, some plans still do not provide coverage after the age of 26.

 The guidelines for when to start performing mammograms are based on a number of factors including a patient's personal risks and family history for breast cancer. Most patients will start screening mammograms at the age of 40 and based on the risk factors, will have regular repeat testing done every 1 to 2 years after that. In patients with significant risk factors for breast cancer, such as those with BRCA mutations, screening may start several years earlier, combined with additional testing such as genetic screening and breast MRI.

Download the Tyrer-Cusick breast cancer risk evaluation tool here to calculate your lifetime risk of breast cancer based on your personal and family history. In general, patients who have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of greater than 20% may qualify for additional imaging and closer monitoring by your physician. The average risk of breast cancer in the United States is 12% during a woman's lifetime.

The choice of a contraceptive method is complex and based on the ease of use, reliability, and risks of complications associated with the method.

The various methods that are available include hormonal and nonhormonal options.

Nonhormonal options include barrier contraception, such as the diaphragm as well as the non-hormone intrauterine device (IUD).

Hormonal options include those options that have either progesterone only or estrogen/progesterone hormone combinations. The most commonly prescribed is the birth control pill. Other methods which are available include the Depo-Provera shot which is administered every 3 months, the Nexplanon subdermal implant which is just under the skin of the inner upper arm and last for 3 years, as well as the hormonal IUDs which may last anywhere from 3 to 7 years and are very reliable contraceptives. Topical patches also are available which are administered weekly.

For those women who have completed their childbearing, permanent sterilization procedures can also be performed as an outpatient procedure.