The importance of preventive exams in women’s health journey

There are many daily tasks and responsibilities, the routine is intense and care is a concern on a woman’s agenda. However, self-care is still a challenge for thousands of them around the world. If they still have the role of taking care of everyone around them, taking care of themselves still needs to be prioritized.

The evolution of medicine aimed at the female gender has contributed to offering increasingly effective treatments. “From the first menstruation to the post menopause, and regardless of age, the best way to guarantee well-being and quality of life is through prevention and self-care”, guides the gynecologist and medical coordinator of Sabin Diagnosis and Health in São Paulo. Caetano do Sul, Luciana de Paiva Nery Soares.

“Periodic preventive exams are the most effective strategy for preventing and identifying the most prevalent diseases among women, as they guarantee the best prognosis and treatment when diagnosed early,” she emphasizes.

Breast and cervical cancers are among these diseases, so some of the most common preventive exams for women include papanicolau, mammography and pelvic ultrasound. “These periodic preventive exams should be carried out even if the woman does not show symptoms or signs of illness. The frequency of exams may vary depending on the woman’s age and personal and family history, so lifelong medical follow-up is essential. In this way, the exams and their frequency can be defined individually, based on the history of each patient. Needs change throughout life, preventive exams too”, explains Luciana.

“Women still look for the doctor only when they identify a symptom and this impacts on treatment results and even on treatment possibilities. With routine exams, it is possible to detect some diseases at an early stage, when treatments are more effective”, warns oncology surgeon Rafael Leite Nunes.

Cervical cancer affects more than 16,000 women in Brazil every year, but when screened early, the chances of cure are close to 100%. “Cervical cancer has a slow evolution and only manifests symptoms when it reaches advanced stages, when treatments can be less effective”, warns oncological surgeon, Rafael Leite Nunes.

Breast cancer, the second most recurrent among women, according to the National Cancer Institute, corresponds to almost 30% of all cases of cancer registered in Brazil. There are about 60,000 new diagnoses per year and 15,000 result in death.

“Yes, the numbers are expressive and can be impacted by early diagnosis. However, 40% of women have not had a mammogram for more than 3 years and only 25% have the test done at the right time, according to a survey by the Brazilian Society of Mastology”, warns the doctor.

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