Health Exams All Women Need
As a woman, your healthcare needs are different from men’s, yet many women don’t receive the unique care they need to live healthy, happy lives. In underserved communities, education and access to healthcare are vital to helping women live well. Part of this education is ensuring that women know which exams are most important for their physical and mental well-being.
Mat-Su Health Services, Inc. is a community health clinic offering two locations in the Mat-Su Valley. We are partnered with
Alaska’s Ladies First initiative to provide free or low-cost health care for women in the Mat-Su Valley.
Today, we’re looking at four important health exams every woman should get.
Pap Smear
The Papanicolaou test
(also called a pap smear or pap test) is a procedure that tests for abnormal or precancerous cervical cells in women. The Pap test is typically done in conjunction with a pelvic exam and is an important part of gynecologic care for women between the ages of 21 and 65.
After the age of 30, women can choose to combine the Pap test with a screening for human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection. When combined with th
Blood Pressure Screening/Cholesterol Screening
Heart disease is the number one cause of death among American women, across all demographics. In fact,
a full 21.8% of deaths among women
in 2017 were attributed to heart disease.
The two biggest risk factors for developing heart disease are high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Unfortunately, these conditions rarely cause symptoms. This makes testing highly important for all women, beginning at age 20.
Catching high blood pressure or cholesterol when you’re young allows you to make important lifestyle changes before your overall health suffers. It also allows your doctor to prescribe necessary medications so that you can avoid surgery or other interventions.
Breast Exams + Mammograms
A clinical breast exam can help check for breast lumps or abnormalities that may require additional screening. Cisgender women between the ages of 25 and 39 typically need a breast exam every 1 to 3 years. After age 40, breast exams should be performed annually. For women with a family history of breast cancer, exams should occur more frequently.
Additionally, starting at age 40, every woman should receive a mammogram every 1-2 years to check for breast cancer and breast abnormalities. Even in 2020, the mammogram is the only test shown to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer.
When breast cancer is caught early, it is far more treatable. In fact, when it
is detected early enough
in the localized stage, the survival rate is 100%.
Mental Health Care
Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are extremely common among women. In fact, recent numbers show that women are twice as likely as men to have experienced a depressive episode. Unfortunately, many women don’t seek evaluation or counseling from behavioral health providers in their community.
We offer crisis intervention, counseling and psychosocial rehabilitative services. We offer these services to both insured and uninsured individuals. Explore our sliding discount for qualified patients today.
Women's Health Care Services in the Mat-Su Valley
Mat-Su Health Services, Inc. is dedicated to helping Alaskan women receive the healthcare they need.
We offer gynecologic services
like pap smears and breast exams, as well as screening for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, genital herpes screening, and HIV screening.
We offer education and access to affordable birth control and are happy to refer women who need mammograms or obstetrical care.
Make your appointment with Mat-Su Health Services, Inc. by calling 907-376-2411
today.
