BLANCHFIELD ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, Ky. — Army Capt. David Tillman, an OB-GYN physician here at the Women's Health Clinic, can relate to why women do not want to go to an uncomfortable well-women visit, especially since he has a wife at home who is busy taking care of their children. However, Tillman offers some motivational factors of why women should reconsider scheduling their well-woman exam, regardless of their busy lifestyle.

Tillman said that cervical cancer is the third most common gynecologic malignancy with approximately 15,000 new cases diagnosed every year.

"Appropriate screening is critical, because if untreated, these abnormal cells can progress to cervical cancer. Once cervical cancer is identified, more invasive treatments are necessary."

Cervical cancer is not a diagnosis anyone wants to receive. An abnormal pap smear doesn't always relate to cervical cancer but by obtaining routine and suggested screenings women can avoid abnormal cells from developing into cancer.

One of Tillman's patients, Army Capt. Ebony Todd, believes it is important to be screened regularly with wellness exams. Todd, a Judge Advocate attorney a Fort Campbell, Kentucky, understands the value of catching concerns early.

"I'm glad and grateful that the military requires us to be screened so frequently because it allows us to be accountable, not only to ourselves, but our families. If something were to happen to me, I would want to have as much awareness, knowledge, and be given as much notice as possible, to be able to try to take care of myself so I'm there for my family."

Todd has reason to understand the importance of regular screenings, especially cancer screenings. She has lost three members of her husband's family to cancer.

"It's very prominent in his family to have cancer and so for that very reason, I value any testing or screening for cancer, period. It doesn't matter what type of cancer it is. This (Pap test) is one of those screenings that is very quick, very easy, although it can be uncomfortable having someone perform the screening, it's definitely worth every moment of that little bit of uncomfortableness. I would say to all female Soldiers out there – all females period – if you have an opportunity to take a Pap test, you definitely should. There is no reason not to; especially, when you have the amenities right on base and we have these great doctors right here at Blanchfield." 

"With a woman's first abnormal Pap test, the chance that cancer has already developed is less than one percent. However, it often identifies precancerous cells. Depending on the findings, and age of the patient, we may recommend further testing with focused biopsies, or in-office procedures to remove the abnormal cells. With appropriate interventions and follow-up, greater than 95 percent of patients can expect resolution of the Pap smear abnormalities," said Tillman.

According to Tillman, if precancerous cells are caught early, it is a fairly slowly developing process and can be found long before cancer develops. 

Recommended screening for cervical cancer begins at age 21 for all women, according to the Center for Disease Control. If Pap tests are normal, screening should occur every three years after the normal screening occurs. 

At the age of 30, we start co-testing for the HPV virus with the Pap smear. If both are normal, screening is then recommended every five years." 

Although a woman's health screenings may be normal and it is not recommended for her to return for another three years for a pap smear, Tillman said women should still be seen annually by their primary care provider for a general physical exam. 

Annual physical exams and Pap tests may be performed by any primary care provider within Fort Campbell's Army Medical Homes, primary care services. When abnormalities are identified, the primary provider places a referral to the Women's Health clinic for further evaluation and treatment. In addition, primary care providers can provide the HPV vaccine to patients. 

"The HPV vaccine is recommended to women and men from the age of 12 to 26. The vaccine is effective against four strains of the HPV virus, two of which are believed to cause up to 80 percent of cervical cancer. This vaccine was designed to be a cancer preventive vaccination." 

"Regular routine health screening offers the best opportunity for early detection of any issues. Pap smears and mammograms are the two most notable screening tests in the women's health field, Tillman said. 

"By patient and providers following these guidelines, we have the best opportunity for early detection and intervention, which leads to the highest likelihood of cure." 

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