Women tend to care for their loved ones before themselves, but they shouldn’t let this affect their personal health. Getting an annual well-woman exam provides women with peace of mind about their health and allows their provider to catch underlying conditions before they worsen.

In Colorado, about 64 percent of women between the ages of 18 to 44 received a well-woman visit in 2020; up from an average of 59 percent in 2019. Although more women across the state are taking control of their health, Colorado still only ranked 44th in the country for the percentage of women who received this essential exam last year.

“It is important for female patients to have an annual wellness exam to identify health issues that may not have surfaced yet, rather than seeking medical care after a problem has already progressed,” said Kelli Bitner, Family Nurse Practitioner for Prowers Medical Center.

What to Expect

Well-woman visits typically include a physical exam, a breast and pelvic exam and a one-on-one conversation with a provider. At Prowers Medical Center, patients can visit with an OB/GYN provider or their primary care provider for their annual checkup.

Providers assess the patient’s current state of health and provide recommendations that prevent disease, including women’s health-related conditions like breast cancer and other chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. If you get your exam every year, your provider can keep track of your medical records and know exactly when you are due for specific screenings, such as mammograms and Pap testing.

During a well-woman exam, patients can expect to discuss their past and current health, including their OB/GYN history, STD history, sexual orientation and sexual status, birth control management, family history of female cancers and other acute concerns. Providers at Prowers Medical Center are thorough in their explanations about any procedures that may occur and what the patient can expect throughout their exam.

“Our goal is to educate you about your body and health, customizing your care plan so you know what to watch for and what you may need to keep under surveillance more frequently than the average person,” Bitner said.

Importance of Annual Exams

Prowers Medical Center recommends mammograms for all women who are 40 and older. The clinical recommendation for receiving a Pap test is every 3 years for women between the ages of 21 and 65 — but this can vary, depending on your personal history. Talk with your provider to develop a personal care plan for your needs.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives, and about 1 in 125 women will get cervical cancer. By getting simple preventive screenings regularly, such as mammograms and Pap testing, you can reduce your chances of getting advanced female cancers.

“Annual exams are where a large majority of breast, cervical and other cancers are identified through primary preventative screenings,” Bitner said. “These cancers often have a silent presentation and may be brewing without the patient’s knowledge. Early detection is the key.”

Services Offered

Prowers Medical Center offers comprehensive health services for women in the community, including annual well-woman exams, comprehensive obstetrical and gynecological care, hormone replacement therapy, birth control management, women’s surgical care and more.

“Annual well-woman exams are an excellent way to take charge of your health,” Bitner concluded. “Providers may be able to identify a problem early in its course and pursue further evaluation. Annual exams also provide an opportunity for general education about healthy lifestyle practices, which can reduce risks of chronic conditions.”

For more information about women’s health services offered at Prowers Medical Center Clinic or to schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN provider, call the Women’s Health Clinic at 719-336-3179. To schedule a well-woman exam through Family Medicine at Prowers Medical Center Clinic, call 719-336-6767.