Quote:
Originally posted by stingc
A question from an ignorant male: Is female anatomy really that unreliable? It seems to me that unless going on the pill, seeing the gyno so often at a young age isn't really necessary. Are female cancers really common compared to all the other types that nobody ever bothers to check for until they're old (or ever)?
|
Ovarian cancer is pretty common and can strike at a very young age. Other problems like Endometreosis and Fibromyalgia if not treated can lead to infertility and other problems if not treated early -- that strikes women in late teens early 20s -- and most chalk it up to -- oh the cramps were really bad.
When a woman becomes sexually active, there are also STDs that may not manifest themselves with symptoms until later stages,w hen it becomes problematic (and leads to infertility and other things) if caught early, by Pap smears, it can be treated.
Breast cancer can strike women at any age, but mammograms (and now MRIs) are strongly suggested for women at age 40. The doctor will check for lumps - -while women are supposed to do self -exams every month, most, do not, or aren't sure of what they are looking for, the doctor knows and at worst, you are getting a yearly exam.
So, yes, going to the gynocologist once a year is a good thing to do, because you never know..