From menopause to breast health and osteoporosis, women over 50 may experience health challenges that should be monitored with advanced screening and diagnostic technology and managed by physician care.

“Many women believe that once they’ve had children, the need for gynecological care diminishes, said Cullman Regional Medical Group OB-GYN Dr. Lance Justice. “However, women’s health needs evolve throughout life, making regular check-ups and attention to age-specific issues increasingly important as they grow older.”

Monitoring your health

Protecting your health starts with you. Watching for signs and symptoms, understanding your personal risk factors and following guidelines for regular screenings and physician appointments is key.

If any concerns arise, your physician can order the appropriate tests to determine if there is a medical issue that needs to be treated. Most women are familiar with the need for annual screening mammograms for certain ages and risk factors, but sometimes a mammogram isn’t enough.

“Breast biopsies are performed when a questionable area in the breast needs to be studied and tested for the possibility of being cancerous,” says Sandy Creel, lead mammography technologist at Cullman Regional. “And automated breast ultrasounds are used in conjunction with a mammogram to detect any abnormalities under both x-ray and ultrasound.”

The ultrasound, CT, MRI, and fluoroscopic imaging technology at Cullman Regional can also be used to help diagnosis other women’s health issues or complaints not related to breast issues.

Breast surgery

When further testing confirms cancer or other issues with breast health, physicians often collaborate to set a treatment course right for the patient. An example of this is the care coordination between general surgeons and plastic surgeons when treating patients in need of breast surgery.

“At large health facilities, general surgeons often work closely with plastic surgeons to achieve the best outcomes with patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Cullman Regional Medical Group general surgeon Dr. D’Lisa Bitterly. “At Cullman Regional our general surgeons work closely with our plastic surgeons to provide the same level of care locally.”

Dr. Morgan Martin is a plastic surgeon at Cullman Regional who provides many plastic surgery options including breast reconstruction. It can be beneficial to perform immediate reconstruction, she says, but all options are on the table and explained to each patient.

“I work with patients to understand what their goals are for surgery,” she explains. “It’s important for these women to understand that under federal law – specifically the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act — insurance companies that cover mastectomy must also cover breast reconstruction.”

“Breast cancer and breast reconstruction can be a daunting topic,” she says. “But we work together to ensure all their cancer care is timed correctly.”

Supporting cancer patients

Not every breast cancer patient will need surgery. Some can benefit from other cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiation. Cullman Regional’s tumor board is a multi-disciplinary team of surgeons, oncologists, pathologists and radiologists that meets regularly to discuss local cancer cases and share knowledge. The goal of this collaboration is to determine the best possible cancer treatment and care plan for patients.

Regardless of which treatment course a patient is pursuing, Cullman Regional offers support services through nurse navigation. This can include help with scheduling doctor visits, patient education, connecting with local resources for financial support, and providing a listening ear. Cullman Regional also supports the Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation which offers more services and outreach to cancer patients.

More than just breast health

For some women, receiving care from a female physician is preferred for personal reasons and the ability to receive care in a way that is most comfortable can mean that more women will get the healthcare they need. Cullman Regional has female physicians in many medical specialties including OB-GYN, general surgery, primary care, plastic surgery and rheumatology.

“In general surgery, we treat ailments including colorectal disease which may be something a female would rather see a female about,” said Cullman Regional general surgeon Dr. Bailey Meherg.

Cullman Regional’s surgical capabilities include the da Vinci system, an advanced robotic-assisted surgery technology used for colorectal surgeries by many general surgeons including Dr. Meherg.

Many would agree that OB-GYN physicians are at the center point of women’s health. They provide guidance and help women stay on track with critical screening and testing to detect cancer and other medical issues early on.

“The timing and frequency of pap smears and screening mammograms will differ based on your specific health history,” said Cullman Regional Medical Group OB-GYN Dr. Taylor Massengill. “Women should receive a full pelvic and breast exam annually.”

While OB-GYN physicians typically refer patients with a confirmed gynecologic cancer diagnosis to a GYN cancer specialist for treatment, Cullman Regional’s OB-GYN physicians will provide treatment for gynecologic pre-cancers of the uterus, cervix, vulva and vagina.

OB-GYN physicians are also an important resource for women going through menopause and can help women manage symptoms and maintain their quality of life. Monitoring menopause and other changes women experience as they get older can also reduce the risk of related medical conditions such as osteoporosis (bone loss).

“I think the most important thing women should know is that their annual gynecologic exam is critical,” said Dr. Massengill. “Even if you’ve had a hysterectomy, have gone through menopause, or just hate going to the gynecologist please don’t miss this lifesaving screening.”