I often tell patients to wait for the first cold week of the fall/winter season to stop their allergy medications. And while that works for a lot of people, I am forgetting that the holidays can also be a source of allergy flares. This is due to exposure to mold, dust mites, seasonal greenery/decorations live and artificial and foods .

During the holiday season the weather gets colder so we tend to keep the door sand windows shut more than in the other seasons, so the usual indoor allergens (pet dander, mold and dust mites may be higher). Another reason is that during this time of the year pets tend be indoors more increasing our exposure. Also we are bringing in live plants/trees that may have mold spores and mildew which thrive in the damp evergreens. The sap on the aromatic evergreen trees can also be source of skin irritation. When opting for the artificial decorations, keep in mind that these are also often stored in dusty/moldy basements which can be a problem for those reasons. The sometimes potent Potpourri aromas can also be a problem for asthma patients. Also keep in mind that those beautiful Poinsettia’s are in the rubber family and can cause problems for us who have latex allergies. When warming up by the wood burning fireplaces don’t forget that they can be sources of a lot of ash and smoke which may cause problems for you and your guests. And we often overlook the effects of stress which can also trigger asthma symptoms for some of us.

One other big group that causes problems this time of the year is food allergies. Often times, we do not want to disappoint friends and relatives by not trying the home made foods, but before doing so, do not forget to ask if the ingredients include something you are intolerant or allergic to. These can include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shell fish, soy and wheat. These 8 groups account for 90% of food allergies.

There are things we can do to reduce our exposure so we can still enjoy the holiday season without a trip to the doctor or ER. When handling any live trees you may want to throw on Latex free gloves so you do not come in contact with the sap from the evergreen trees. You may also want to water the trees down with your garden hose or blast them with the leaf blower before bringing them in. When handling the artificial decorations, make sure you dust them off and maybe wear a mask when doing so.

If all else fails, thankfully there are medications that can help. Antihistamines like,Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra often are enough. Hydrocortisone creams can help with skin irritations also. Patients who have asthma should make sure their Albuterol inhalers are still good. Also, if you have food allergies make sure your Epipen is not expired. Sometimes, though, if you have tried a thing or two you may still need help from your doctor or need to see an allergist, so do not feel like you need to treat on your own.

It is never a good time to get sick but unfortunately the cold and flu season is once again squarely upon us. The common cold lasts an average of seven to ten days and usually starts with a sore throat and possibly low grade fever, then progresses to nasal and sinus congestion. Finally, a cough, sometimes productive of mucus, is usually the last symptom to develop and the last to resolve. There is not yet a cure for the common cold and antibiotics not only won’t help but increase the risk of allergic reactions, side effects, and development of resistant bacteria. Plenty of rest and fluids is a mainstay of treatment but there are also many medicines available over-the-counter that can help make things a little more manageable – the key is picking the right medicines for the symptoms you are having.

Over-the-counter cold preparations are confusing with endless combinations of medicines and claims to alleviate certain symptoms. The best approach to selecting the most helpful one is to understand what active ingredients are in each pill and what they are expected to treat. This can help you tailor what you are taking to your current symptoms and limit side effects.

Dextromethorphan, also termed as “DM”, is a cough suppressant that acts directly on the cough center in the brain. It comes as a liquid cough medicine or as a pill. In some studies two teaspoons of honey were shown to be just as effective for reducing nighttime coughing.

Guaifenesin works by thinning mucus or phlegm. This can be helpful if you are having a lot of post-nasal drip (mucus down the back of your throat, clearing your throat a lot), or are coughing up mucus. It should be taken with plenty of water.

Oxymetolazone is a nasal spray also sold under the brand name Afrin. It can give you quick relief from nasal congestion but it cannot be used for more than 72 hours or 3 days in a row. If used longer than that it can actually cause worsening congestion. I like to use Afrin for those nights when you simply cannot breathe out of your nose and the misery of that keeps you from sleeping. It also can be helpful if you are congested before plane trips to help your ears equilibrate to pressure changes.

Pseudoephedrine is a very effective decongestant that is sold behind the pharmacist’s counter though you do not need a prescription for it. You will need to show identification to purchase it and are limited to the quantity you can buy at one time. It is the “D” component in Mucinex –D, Allegra – D, etc. Decongestants relieve nasal stuffiness by narrowing blood vessels and reducing swelling in the nose. This narrowing can affect other blood vessels as well, which can increase blood pressure. This medicine is not a good choice for people with heart disease or poorly controlled high blood pressure. Some people cannot take pseudoephedrine because it makes them feel jittery, spacey, or gives them palpitations. It comes in a 4-6 hour preparation or a 12-hour preparation. Until you know how it affects you I recommend the shorter lasting form.

Pharmacies tend to be sold out of it often during the height of cold season so I like to make sure I always keep some on hand.

Phenylephrine is the decongestant that is sold in the pharmacy shelves and can be a good choice for people who do not like the way pseudoephedrine makes them feel. Some feel it is a less effective decongestant.

Drowsy antihistamines include Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and doxylamine which is found in NyQuil, Alka-Seltzer Night, and other night time preparations.

Many combination pills will also include acetaminophen as a pain reliever and fever reducer. Be mindful of how much you are taking. It is best not to take additional acetaminophen, or Tylenol, with these as too much can be toxic to your liver.

If you have any questions or concerns about the use of over-the-counter medications please do not hesitate to contact us. If your symptoms are lasting longer than usual, you have a persistent high fever, shortness of breath, or just don’t feel right it may be more than the common cold. Please come in and see us in the office.

As we embark on Breast Cancer Awareness month, it is worthwhile to review the statistics, risk factors, and preventive strategies of this globally devastating disease. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy worldwide. It is the most common female cancer in the U.S., and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S., with over 40,000 deaths annually.

Non-modifiable factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer are female gender, white race, increasing age, postmenopausal status, and prolonged exposure to estrogen, such as early onset of periods or late menopause. Family history of breast or certain other cancers may also increase your risk–this should be discussed with your doctor. Other factors that may increase the risk of breast cancer include obesity in postmenopausal (but not premenopausal) women, and hormone replacement therapy. Lifestyle factors have also been implicated in the diagnosis of breast cancer. For example, there is a significant dose-dependent relationship between alcohol intake and breast cancer, even with as little as three drinks a week. Smoking also appears to increase the risk of breast cancer.

There are also some protective factors that appear to decrease breast cancer risk. Breastfeeding is one example. Physical activity appears to be another protective factor–yet another good reason to get out and exercise! Finally, there is some evidence that soy products, and other phytoestrogens like legumes, flaxseeds, and sesame seeds may be protective.

So aside from awareness of negative/positive risk factors, how can we reduce our risk of developing breast cancer? Cancers are most easily treated if they are detected early; therefore, the first line of attack against breast cancer begins at home, by developing “breast self-awareness”. Each woman should be familiar with her breast/axillary (armpit) exam–including skin and texture changes, as well as lumps. Any change from your baseline should be brought to the attention of your doctor immediately. Clinical breast exams, performed by your doctor during your annual gynecological appointment, are another important factor in screening for breast cancer. And mammograms are advised by most professional organizations starting at age 40; the specific interval for these can again be discussed with your doctor, depending on your age. Finally, women with family history may be advised to consider testing for one of the known breast cancer genes. Breast cancer takes a terrible toll on the women and families whom it has affected; awareness of risks and preventive tools is the best defense we have in containing, and hopefully one day, curing, this disease.

One of most frequent reasons that women come to see their primary care physician is to discuss abdominal pain and bloating. I don’t think a day in the office goes by that I do not hear those words. Most frequently these patients have what is known as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Not surprisingly, it is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition, affecting 10-15% of the population.

The true definition of IBS is: a gastrointestinal syndrome of chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits (without other organic cause) at least 3 days per month in the last 3 months. Commonly, the abdominal pain is intermittent and described as “crampy”. Exacerbations can occur frequently and are associated with eating and times of increased stress. The abdominal pain associated with IBS can vary in intensity and location, but is often relieved with bowel movements. Other common symptoms include: bloating, gas, nausea, diarrhea and/or constipation, and feeling full quickly. “Red flag” symptoms such as anorexia, weight loss, persistent rectal bleeding, pain awakening a patient from sleep or certain lab findings (i.e. anemia) are rarely associated with IBS and should prompt a further workup for an alternative diagnosis.

Unfortunately there are no tests specific to the diagnosis of IBS. Frequently, a physician will run blood or stool tests and maybe order additional procedures such as a colonoscopy to rule out other potential causes of symptoms. If no other source is found and no “red flag” symptoms are present, a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is made.

There are 4 different subtypes of IBS:

1. Diarrhea predominant
2. Constipation predominant
3. Mixed type
4. Unsubtyped

Treatment options vary between the different types.

As any patient who suffers from IBS knows, making the diagnosis is only half of the battle. Treatment for this ailment takes time, patience and diligence to improve symptoms. IBS is a chronic disease, which means most patients will likely have it for life. That being said, the majority of patients will be able to control their symptoms with one or more of the treatment modalities available.

Upon diagnosis, a patient should take time to keep a log of symptoms and what the circumstances were at that time (what she ate, what she did, etc). This will help to elucidate any specific pattern or specific food that may be contributing to a patient’s pain. It has long been thought that certain foods in certain individuals can be a source of IBS symptoms. If a patient has been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, her first step should be to eliminate foods known for high gas production such as: beans, onions, celery, carrots, raisins, bananas, apricots, prunes, Brussels sprouts, pretzels, bagels, alcohol and caffeine. In many patients, reduction in these foods can bring around a significant improvement in abdominal pain and bloating.

If still with significant symptoms despite reduction of high gas forming foods, a patient may decide to follow a stricter approach with the low FODMAP (fermentable, oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols) diet. High FODMAP foods are poorly absorbed and are rapidly fermented in the gut causing gas and bloating. Such foods are listed below.

Oligosachharides: wheat, barley, rye, onion, leek, garlic, shallots, artichokes, beets, fennel, peas, pistachio, cashews, legumes, lentil and chick peas..

Disaccharides: lactose (milk, ice cream, yogurt)

Monosaccharides: apples, pears, mangoes, cherries, watermelon, asparagus, sugar snap peas, honey and high fructose corn syrup.

Polyols: nectarines, peaches, plums, mushrooms, cauliflower, artificially sweetened chewing gum and other sweets

Obviously this can be a very restrictive diet. If taking on a low FODMAP diet it is recommended that you do this under the guidance of a trained dietician in order to avoid over- restriction and malnutrition. Ideally a patient would be on a low FODMAP diet for 6-8 weeks at which time she would gradually re-introduce the above foods one at a time to determine which specific foods are tolerated and which are not.

Though it is thought that food allergy could possibly play a role in Irritable Bowel Syndrome, at this time there is insufficient evidence to recommend food allergy testing in patients with IBS. This is largely due to the fact that current modes of allergy testing have not been reliable in identifying affected patients.

In addition to dietary management, 20-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise 5 days a week has been shown to significantly decrease symptoms of IBS. It is also important to address daily stressors through counseling and stress-reduction techniques (meditation, yoga, etc) as increased stress often leads to increased IBS symptoms.

If lifestyle interventions still fail to control symptoms, your doctor can prescribe medications specific to the patient’s symptoms. For example, anti-diarrheals in diarrhea predominant IBS, laxatives in constipation predominant IBS, antispasmodic agents, and antidepressants.

In summary, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a very common disease affecting a large number of women. Symptoms generally consist of abdominal pain, bloating, and a change in bowel habits. In order to diagnose IBS, doctors must rule out other organic causes of gastrointestinal disease. Though it is not curable, most patients are able to control their symptoms with lifestyle changes or medications.

Breast cancer, we are taught, is an illness that all women need to be aware of, and be screened for. But how do we most effectively screen for it? This question is not as straightforward as one would think, as the recommendations for different screening modalities are always evolving, based on new assessments of available evidence. Traditionally, women were advised to do monthly self-examinations in the shower as a front-line defense against breast cancer. But in recent years, these exams have not been shown to consistently prevent breast cancer deaths (which is, after all, the goal of any screening program). Therefore, most expert groups now either recommend against self-exams entirely, or they recommend encouraging “breast awareness”, which means each woman should be aware of her own body, so that she can recognize potentially alarming changes–this could include a traditional breast exam, but not necessarily.

Another mainstay of breast cancer detection has been the clinical breast exam, performed annually by a physician at the time of the gynecological examination. While the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend these exams every 1-3 years for women ages 20-39 and annually for women thereafter, the US Preventive services task force (USPSTF), an independent government-sponsored organization, notes that there is insufficient evidence for these exams, as well.

Mammography is recognized by most women as the most important tool we have for breast cancer screening, and most medical societies agree, recommending annual mammograms for all women beginning at age 40. A few influential groups, though–notably the American College of Physicians (ACP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the USPSTF–feel that the evidence for mammography in women between the ages of 40 and 49 is not as strong as for women 50 and older, and they have therefore departed slightly from this recommendation. They advise instead that for these women, mammograms may be performed every 1-2 or every 2 years, and that the decision can be individualized for each woman in this age group. Annual mammography is recommended by many societies to continue throughout the later years of life, but again there is some variability–the AAFP advises screening only until age 74, the USPSTF recommends stopping at age 75, and ACOG recommends individualizing the decision to screen after age 75.

So where does all of this conflicting evidence leave doctors and patients? There is not an absolute correct answer for how to screen–but it is important that patients do what makes them feel most comfortable, that doctor assess the evidence various expert groups use in making their recommendations, and that both groups communicate their preferences and concerns about screening to one another.

The number of Americans who are overweight and obese has reached epidemic proportions.  This year the CDC estimates that 2/3rds of US adults are overweight (BMI >25) and 1/3 of the population meets the classification of obese (BMI >30).  Rates have risen dramatically from 1990 through the current time period.  Many factors play a role in this increase which includes an overall decrease in daily activity with increased access to and consumption of high calorie low nutrient foods, fast foods, and processed foods.  Being overweight and obese is associated with many negative health consequences including (but not limited to) elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and pre-diabetes, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, back pain, PCOS, infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, vitamin D deficiency, depression, skin tags, colon, breast , and endometrial cancers (among others), sleep apnea, worsening asthma, and fatigue.  There is good news, however!  Health effects from obesity are dramatically diminished with even moderate weight losses.

While I would encourage everyone to aim for a BMI in the “normal” range, a maintained loss of 10-20% of maximum body weight produces significant health benefits and risk reduction.   The National Weight Registry is a research database that has tracked successful “loosers” for over 20 years.  These individuals shed at least 30 pounds and kept it off over 1 year.  The most common habits of successful maintainers are eating breakfast, exercising daily (average 1 hour per day), keeping a daily food log, and weighing themselves weekly.   Most of these successful individuals also lost their weight gradually at an average of 1-2 pounds per week.  Making sustainable lifestyle changes is the key to success!  There are many tools from food logs, support groups, individual counseling, pre-packaged meals, medications, and surgery that can help achieve goals.  I would encourage anyone who could benefit from weight loss to take action!  Not sure where to start?  Consider making an appointment with your doctor to assess your risks and start you on a healthier path.

As the weather starts to give us a break, I would like to give you a few reminders to help you stay healthy and enjoy the rest of your year.

1. If you have not started your allergy medications, I would high recommend doing that immediately.  Getting started early may make a big difference in controlling you allergies.  That goes for Singular as well, since it take about for this particular medication to start working effectively.  Also keep in mind that Ventolin, commonly used for asthma, has a short half life.  So once you open the foil package, you need to discard it after 6 months, even if you have not finished all of the inhalations.  If you have severe allergies, you want to make sure your Epipen  has not expired.  This is also a good time of the year to have your carpets cleaned of all of the debris that accumulated over the winter and you can keep the windows open to make sure the carpets dry well.

2. Make sure you are up to date with your Tdap vaccine.  You may know this vaccine as the Tetanus shot, Pertussis vaccine or whooping cough vaccine.  This vaccine protects against 3 different infections.  This time of the year, when we start gardening and hiking, this vaccine is important because it protects you against “Lockjaw” if you get a bad cut, burn or step on something rusty.  Also Whooping Cough season is from June to September.  It takes a few weeks to kick in, so you still have time.

3. This is also a good time of the year to clean out your medicine closet.  Do not keep any medications that you are actively using.  It is better to write down any medications that you are allergic to or have side effects from, then to keep the medication bottle hand for reference.

4. Now is also a good time to schedule those tests that you were forced to cancel due to the bad weather (mammogram, colonoscopy, blood work, PAP, physical, DEXA Scan, etc) before the steamy weather hits.

5. Make sure your sunscreen is not expired.  Remember to apply it at least 30 min before stepping out for it to be more effective.

6. If you have not already, make sure you sign up for Obamacare.  This is the first time in our nation’s history that everyone can have healthcare.  Having insurance saves us all money, and more importantly keeps us healthy.

7. Also you should change your heating filters when you start using your AC.  It may also be a good time to get you system cleaned/inspected if you did not do so in the fall.

8. As you get ready to be more active outside, make sure your sneakers are not worn out.

9. This is also a good time to start juicing, since a lot of your favorite fruits are coming in season.

10. Most importantly, this is a good time to focus on getting heart healthy.  Whether you need to loose weight or not, you should be doing at least 30 min of a cardiovascular workout five times per week.  Keep it fun, have friends join in, but do not work through pain.  Exercise is also an effective way to help with anxiety/stress/depression and difficulty sleeping.  And if you loose weight along the way, it is a plus.

Since joining the Rittenhouse Women’s Wellness Center in July, Dr. Catherine Liebman is often asked to explain “What is Osteopathic Manipulation?” and who may benefit from it. Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) is a medical specialty that is specific to Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs).  While all DOs get some training in OMM in medical school, others choose it as their specialty. For an OMM specialist the main focus is the musculoskeletal system. OMM is the application of manipulation to the body to address problems in the joints, muscles, nerves, connective tissues, and organs. Dr. Liebman incorporates OMM into conventional musculoskeletal medicine including orthopedic examinations, interpretation of x-rays and MRIs, managing physical therapy, injections, medications, and medical acupuncture, to create a unique and integrated approach to patient care.

OMM is based on the principle that the structure and function of the body depend on one another. During a visit Dr. Liebman assesses the patient for joints that are out of alignment, muscles imbalances, and connective tissues that are restricted. The dysfunctions that are identified are corrected with Osteopathic techniques. Many Osteopathic techniques are well known in other areas of musculoskeletal medicine, including myofascial release, soft tissue techniques, strain-counterstrain, muscle energy, and craniosacral therapy. The goal is to treat a patient with the most current clinical medical practices and to identify and correct the cause of pain, not just mask the symptoms.

As an example, a patient with low back pain may be evaluated for any organ or neurologic cause, receive a prescription for a medication and/or x-ray, and receive an OMM treatment to improve the symptoms immediately – all in one visit. It is truly integrated and holistic healthcare. Initial visits typically take one hour for evaluation and treatment and follow-up visits take 30 minutes. Depending on the situation, patients may need to return for more treatment. The treatment and management of the patient is tailored to her unique situation, and may include other modalities as well. However, the goal is to give patients the tools to feel and perform their best on their own and prevent further injuries.

Conditions commonly treated with OMM include:

• Chronic pain
• Acute pain
• Sports injuries
• Tendonitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraine/Headaches
• Neck pain
• Low back pain
• Joint injuries

Question: January 6th, 2014
Answered by: Dr. Linda Bullock

Question: How important is it, if you have a family history of heart disease, but are not exhibiting symptoms yourself, to have blood tests for C-reactive protein and lipoprotein A? I believe these might be better assess your risk of arterial plaque.

Answer: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force deems these tests lacking enough evidence to use them for clinical decision making. Traditional tests (total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides) still guide treatment.

C-reactive protein is produced by the liver and is a general marker for increased inflammation in the body. It may be associated with an increased risk for heart disease but it is not specific. Lipoprotein(a) is a circulating lipoprotein and it has been associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, but the added value of this test beyond measuring a lipid panel is not known at this time.

Measuring these and other tests such as the homocysteine level and the ankle brachial index may be used to guide treatment decisions in the future. Reducing risk factors is imperative, especially if you have a family history. If you smoke, please stop. If you have diabetes or hypertension, these should be treated. If you are overweight, try to reach your optimal weight. Diet and exercise are the cornerstones for risk reduction and if your cholesterol is elevated after you have maximized your healthy behaviors, you may need a cholesterol medication.

Question: December 1, 2013
Answered By: Dr. Linda Bullock

Question: “I’ve been told to get my calcium from food only, and the allergist wants me to limit my dairy. There are many “calcium fortified” food items like cereals and almond milk, but is seems to me getting calcium from these products are no different then taking a pill. Should these be avoided as well?”

Answer: Taking calcium pills may be counterproductive so current recommendations suggest food sources of calcium. while dairy products are very high in calcium, there are other foods high in calcium. dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale and collard greens, oysters, salmon, sardines, molasses, tofu, parsley, dried figs and almonds, to name a few. When it comes to fortified foods, there are several stipulations to consider (according to fitday.com). 1) calcium absorption is better at higher acidity levels in the stomach 2) products with calcium carbonate are absorbed equally as well as dairy. 3) precipitation can cause the nutrients to settle on the bottom of the container, shaking the container can improve this. 4) plant estrogen is soy can increase calcium absorption. Hope this helps.

Calcium Levels in Milk vs. Almond, Rice and Soy Milk / Nutrition / Healthy Eating

Question About Menopause: Answered by: Dr. Linda Bullock

I was asked by one of our patients what to expect from menopause. Most of the time a woman experiences some constellation of symptoms. These vary over a very wide range. Here is an overview.

Perimenopause is the period of time before menopause when a woman gradually loses ovarian function (produce less estrogen). This usually occurs one to two years before menopause. As estrogen decreases, she can feel some menopausal-like symptoms. Normal menopause usually occurs after 40 years of age and a woman is said to be through menopause when she has not had a period for one year. There are some classic menopausal symptoms; hot flashes, irritability, insomnia, vaginal dryness & changes in sex drive, among other symptoms. These symptoms can vary widely from little or none to a high symptom burden. Symptom length also varies. Some women report weeks to months of symptoms while others have symptoms longer than this. Most women do experience some symptoms and tolerate them with no medical treatment. It’s important to remember that good nutrition (including calcium), vitamin d, exercise, cutting back on alcohol and trying to maintain good sleep patterns can help. Sometimes, estrogen (several different forms available) is prescribed to ease symptoms. Be sure to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

What is cervical cancer?

“Cervical cancer” is a disease which causes the cells of the cervix to grow in an out of control way. The abnormal cells develop the ability to spread and invade other organs. When this occurs, cervical cancer can spread and ultimately lead to death. This can even occur in young, healthy woman.

What are the risk factors?

Most cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted virus. This virus is called HPV. The virus is spread by skin to skin contact, which means that condoms may not protect you. Some strains of the virus cause genital warts, however most strains cause no symptoms at all. Most of the time, your immune system clears the virus. However, some woman remain infected, this constant infection with HPV can lead to cervical cancer. Having the virus does not mean you will develop cancer, although it does mean that you should be vigilant!

Other factors which can increase your risk of cervical cancer are:

• long-term oral contraception
• multiple sexual partners
• cigarette smoking
• immunosupression

What can I do?

Make sure to schedule your annual gynecological exam! The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends annual pap smears for all women starting from 21 years of age.

The best way to detect cervical cancer is by having your pap smear. There are different recommendations for when to have your pap smear (from every 6 months-every 3 years), which depend on your previous results. However, even if you do not get your pap smear once a year you should schedule an annual exam to regularly reassess your risk factors, as well as to get an internal and breast exam and std testing when necessary. If you are under the age of 26, your doctor may also recommend the HPV vaccine series. The HPV vaccine is used to prevent infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 and is covered by most insurances (please contact your carrier for additional coverage information)

Lastly, please make sure to follow through with any additional appointments that your physician recommends. Scheduling a colposcopy with a gynecologist may not sound like fun, but timely follow-up can make the difference between a small treatment procedure and extensive cancer therapy. In summary – don’t delay! If you have not had your pap smear for several years or if you have any further questions about cervical cancer, schedule an appointment with one of our physicians right away and take control of your health!