Adolescent Care
We at Shelby Woman's Care believe that education and evaluation of the adolescent female is key to ensuring our daughters grow to be healthy young woman.
Counseling on prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, general health maintenance and treatment of menstrual related problems is the beginning of this process.
We hope to be a resource for your daughter as she struggles through adolescence and into adulthood.
Mammograms
Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women, with a lifetime risk of one in eight for every woman in the United States. At Shelby Women's Care, we believe quality mammograms are the cornerstone of breast health.
Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low dose X-ray called a mammogram, to aid in the diagnosis of breast diseases in women. During mammography, a specially qualified radiologic technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle (often made of clear Plexiglas or other plastic). The technologist will gradually compress your breast. The compression will only last a few seconds.
Breast compression is necessary in order to:
- Even out the breast thickness so that all of the tissue can be visualized.
-
Spread out the tissue so that small abnormalities won't be obscured by overlying breast tissue.
-
Allow the use of a lower X-ray dose since a thinner amount of breast tissue is being imaged.
-
Hold the breast still in order to eliminate blurring of the image caused by motion.
-
Reduce X-ray scatter to increase sharpness of the picture.
A qualified radiologist interprets the mammogram. If your mammogram was done at another facility, bring your most recent mammogram films with you, so a comparison can be done. Also, when making the mammogram appointment, inform the scheduler if you have had breast augmentation.
Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Physical breast exams and screening mammograms are recommended for women 40 and over.
While mammography is the best screening tool for breast cancer available today, mammograms do not detect all breast cancers. It is important to perform monthly self breast examinations and have an annual breast examination by a physician as well as mammography.
Hysterectomy
Most of us know women who think of hysterectomy as a fact of life... and often, it is the best treatment to maintain a women's health (in the case of uterine cancer, for instance). All of the Women's Care doctors are experienced with the latest hysterectomy techniques, including minimally invasive and vaginal approaches. If you need a hysterectomy, you are in excellent hands with our team.
Until recently, hysterectomy was also considered the best treatment for an extremely common women's health problem: heavy menstrual cycles. An exciting development in women's healthcare has changed that. Now, hysterectomy is unnecessary for the majority of women who suffer with excessive periods.
The natural process of menopause is the absence of a period for one year due to decreased ovarian function. This results in lower levels of estrogen and other hormones. A consequence of this can be hot flashes, bone loss , vaginal dryness and sleep disturbances. The average age of the menopause is 51, but symptoms often occur before menopause.
Symptoms of menopause are variable and usually resolve over time. Some women have severe symptoms that may require consultation and perhaps therapy. Consultation with the women's health care professionals at our offices in Kings Mountain, Boiling Springs or Shelby can aid in your transition through this time.
Additional information can be obtained from:
