A lot has happened in the last year in women’s health.
In October of 2009, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil®, was approved for males between the ages of 9 to 26. In November, mammography guidelines, which differ from the American Cancer Society’s, created confusion among women and physicians alike. Then, on the heels of the mammography controversy, experts at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advised women to wait until age 21 to get their first Pap smear, and reduce frequency of testing to once every two years.
Women want to know what the new mammography and cervical cancer screening guidelines mean and why we are vaccinating boys for girls’ sake.
MUSC Women’s Services continues to reach out to women through their blog, and through presentations and Q&A in the community. Recently, Drs. Toya Pound and Laura Stickler of East Cooper Women’s Center, held a question and answer session with the sorority Zeta Tau Alpha at the College of Charleston. The week before, Dr. Christi Geier, also of East Cooper Women’s Center gave a quick update to the membership of the Junior League of Charleston.
