Our San Antonio Obgyns Highlight the Importance of Regular Cancer Screenings

At Live Oak Women’s Health, we believe preventive care enables our patients to live their best lives, and we want to support those lifestyle goals. An important element of preventive care is getting regular cancer screenings. Our San Antonio obgyns have seen how routine screenings for common cancers result in early detection, which can save your life.

Why do cancer screenings matter?

In today’s modern world, we often meet ourselves coming and going. Juggling work, families and social activities can leave little time for anything else. Our doctors understand these pressures, which is why we encourage routine cancer screening. Early detection can dramatically affect the prognosis if cancer is found. Making time for these tests can allow you to continue your fast-paced schedule, without the need to add oncology visits or chemotherapy treatments to the calendar.

Guidelines for routine cancer screenings

Different ages require certain screening tests. Your provider will share the standard recommendations and adjust timing as needed, based on your family history and personal circumstances. Typically, our San Antonio obgyns make the following recommendations regarding cancer checks.

Mammograms
Women age 40 or older should schedule a yearly screening mammogram. Early detection of breast cancer generally decreases the intensity of treatment and improves long-term outcomes.
Cervical cancer tests
In most cases, yearly pap smears are not required. For women in their 20s, we suggest a pap smear every three years. Women ages 30 to 64 should have a pap smear and HPV test every three years. If you have had irregular pap smear results, your physician may modify the standard timing and suggest more frequent screenings. Patients age 65 or older should discuss screening options with their doctor.

Other important health screenings

Although our San Antonio obgyns focus on women’s health issues, we encourage our patients to make time for all routine cancer screenings. Establishing a regular cadence for these exams will help keep them on your to-do list.

Annual skin cancer exams with your dermatologist, to check your entire body and look for any changes that could indicate abnormal cell development.
Regular colonoscopies, usually every 10 years, starting between ages 45 and 50. These tests screen for polyps and remove them before they develop into colon cancer.

The team at Live Oak Women’s Health appreciates the trust our patients have placed in us. We provide comprehensive women’s health care, including discussion about routine cancer screenings. Contact our office for more information.

Dr. Thompson Supports Postpartum Mental Health

San Antonio OBGYN Mallory Thompson MD discusses postpartum mental health

Dr. Mallory Thompson wants to help patients understand how the postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester, affects both mothers and babies. Women receive a lot of information about preparing for the birth and care of their new baby. However, they don’t always know enough about postpartum mental health.

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Four reasons to not ignore heavy menstrual bleeding

Four reasons NOT to ignore heavy menstrual bleeding.

Bleeding through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours, requiring extra protection for nighttime bleeding or passing blood clots approximately the size of a quarter or larger. Does any of this sound familiar?

Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, shouldn’t be ignored as it can cause other complications or signal another health problem.

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Meet Dr. Mallory Thompson

Get to know Dr. Mallory Thompson, a San Antonio OBGYN

Dr. Mallory Thompson cares about the whole woman. She is interested in both their mental and physical health. Through compassionate care and conversation, Mallory Thompson MD helps patients feel comfortable enough to ask questions about everything from menstruation and PCOS, to pregnancy and birth issues.

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