Advancing Women’s Health: Key Updates on Screening and Treatment

This article originally appeared on the Department of Medicine website.

Dr. Alexandra King, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine, recently shared revised innovative screening guidelines for women’s health,  including cervical cancer, breast cancer, bacterial vaginosis (BV) and menopause, incorporating the latest research and updates from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to improve care for women at every stage of life.

Cervical Cancer

For cervical cancer, Dr. King stated that women aged 21-30 continue Pap tests every three years. Starting at age 30, women can screen every five years with a test that looks for HPV, the virus linked to cervical cancer. She highlighted Teal, the first at-home HPV test, which allows patients to collect a sample at home and mail it in. As HPV vaccination rates rise, screening may eventually start later or be needed less often.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Dr. King pointed to new research for BV addressing that, for recurrent BV in women, treating male partners with medications for BV can help reduce the risk of the infection coming back in the future.  This may be helpful for women with frequent BV, especially those with risk factors, such as IUD use or uncircumcised partners.

Breast Cancer

According to the latest USPSTF guidelines, women at average risk should begin mammograms every two years starting at age 40. Dr. King emphasized the importance of understanding the different types of mammograms available:

• 2D mammograms (traditional X-ray) are the standard form of mammography and provide two flat images of the breast. While effective, 2D mammograms can sometimes miss small cancers or lead to false positives.
• 3D mammograms (Digital Breast Tomosynthesis) are the newer technology that takes multiple images of the breast from different angles. It can improve cancer detection rates and significantly reduce false alarms, making it particularly useful for women with dense breasts or those at slightly higher risk.

For women aged 40-49, Dr. King still recommends having a conversation about the benefits and risks of screening for breast cancer before ordering a mammogram.

Menopause

Dr. King emphasized that hormone therapy is safe and effective when started within 10 years of menopause, although the earlier the better. For those who cannot take hormones, the study suggests that newer drugs like fezolinetant offer relief but require some health monitoring. She also recommends vaginal estrogen as a safe treatment for vaginal dryness and discomfort.

Key takeaways

The latest research and USPSTF suggest that there are more choices and tools to manage women’s health. Dr. King emphasized the importance of patients staying informed and engaging in open dialogue with their physicians to achieve better care and lead healthier lives.