Demystifying the well-woman: What to expect during this annual exam
If you’ve never had a well-woman exam before, you might be wondering what to expect. Is it similar to an annual physical? Which parts of your body will the doctor examine? And, which tests will be performed on you, and why?
We spoke with Elizabeth Keeler, M.D., a gynecologist who specializes in caring for women with cancer. Here’s what these important annual doctor visits include — and why you shouldn’t skip yours.
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Committed to making cervical cancer screening easier
When it comes to eliminating cervical cancer, prevention and screening are vital. Behavioral science and cancer researcher Jane Montealegre...
6 pap smear questions, answered
It's a procedure that goes by many names: Pap smear, Papanicolaou test, Pap test, cytology or simply a ‘Pap.’
At MD Anderson, we refer...
I have HPV. Now what?
We all hope the awkwardness is over after we get our Pap and HPV tests. So hearing that you have tested positive for HPV can be a blow. What happens next?
Well, for one, you’re not alone.
“More than 80% of people will be infected at some point in their lifetime,” says gynecologic oncologist Lois Ramondetta, M.D.
The good news is that, in most cases, your immune system clears the virus before any health problems...
HPV tests with self-collection: What to know
This month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved self-collection to test for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. As a researcher...
5 precancerous conditions and what you can do about them
You may already know that some types of colon polyps can develop into colorectal cancer. Or, that cervical dysplasia can sometimes lead to...
Cervical cancer survivor: Why I’m thankful for MD Anderson
I’ve had abnormal Pap tests my whole life — starting when I first began getting them around age 18. Since then, I’ve had at least one abnormal...
Driven to prevent cervical cancer worldwide
Kathleen Schmeler, M.D., has been focused on bringing high-quality cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment programs to women in underserved...
What causes cervical cancer? 6 questions, answered
About 10,000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The vast majority of cases are due to the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Abnormal or inconclusive scan or test? 5 things to know when the doctor calls
Thousands of people will get screening exams for breast cancer, cervical cancer and lung cancer this year. Others will get diagnostic tests...