The Well-Woman Exam
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ne of the mainstays of preventive health for women is the ‘well-woman exam,’ the annual check-up that includes a pelvic and breast exam. However, since the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists revised screening guidelines for pap smears, calling for them as long as five years apart under certain circumstances, some women are under the impression that they have no reason to see the doctor for their annual exam. Not so. “It is important to realize that the annual exam is more than a pap smear,” says Dr. Jennifer McDonald, an obstetrician and gynecologist on staff at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. “Many women are under the impression that pelvic exam and pap smear are synonymous; when, in fact, they are two different things.” Pap smears involve taking a sample of cells from the cervix for laboratory analysis. Abnormal results may indicate cervical cancer or precancerous changes that require treatment. “The
By Connie Mitchell
“Women should be prepared to share all aspects of their health and reproductive history with their clinician.” Dr. Jennifer McDonald, obstetrician and gynecologist, Missouri Baptist Medical Center
pap smear guidelines currently call for once every three years in the age group 21 to 30,” says Dr. Greg Ward, a SLUCare gynecologist who is director of the division of general obstetrics and gynecology at Saint Louis University. “In the age group from 30 to 65 when we do the pap smear, we also test for human papillomavirus; and if both are negative, you can space the Continued on page 40
Heart Health Specialists Welcomes Keith Mankowitz, MD, FACC Keith Mankowitz, MD joins Craig Reiss, MD in the Heart Health Specialists practice. Dr. Mankowitz brings extensive heart care experience to St. Luke’s Hospital and has practiced in St. Louis since 1996. He is boardcertified in cardiology and internal medicine. Dr. Mankowitz received his medical degree from University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and completed his residency and fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Mankowitz is the director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at St. Luke’s Hospital. He has a special interest in screening athletes for suspected cardiovascular disorders specifically to prevent sudden death in those ages 18 and above. He has been recognized as one of the “Best Doctors” in St. Louis from 2006 to 2013 and is a member of the American College of Cardiology. He is also a published author for various research publications on topics related to heart disease. Dr. Mankowitz is accepting new cardiology patients.
121 St. Luke’s Center Dr., Suite 303 Chesterfield, MO 63017
Phone: 314-434-3278 (314-43-HEART) Fax: 314-590-5949
2-1095
{LadueNews.com} February 14, 2014
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