GYNOB4 Awareness of health risks and preventive screening in a primary care outpatient population. (Gynecology & Obstetrics).GYNOB4 AWARENESS OF HEALTH RISKS AND PREVENTIVE SCREENING IN A PRIMARY CARE OUTPATIENT POPULATION. Susan B. Tate, MD, Joyce S. Nicholas, PhD, and Kate VI. Adkins, BS. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina “MUSC” redirects here. For Abel Santa María airport in Santa Clara, Cuba (ICAO code MUSC), see Abel Santa María Airport. The Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston. The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge among the adult public regarding health risks and preventive screening. Data about knowledge and beliefs were gathered via a one-page questionnaire distributed to all adults over the age of 18 years during one calendar month in a family practice clinic waiting room in Florence, SC. Completed questionnaires were collected from 257 patients (70% female, 30% male, 84% aged 18 to 54, 16% aged 55 and over). Only 23% correctly identified heart disease as the leading cause of death in women over 45. The risks of smoking were better known, with 68% indicating that smoking increases the risks of heart attack, stroke, lung disease lung disease Pulmonary disease Pulmonology Any condition causing or indicating impaired lung function Types of LD Obstructive lung disease–↓ in air flow caused by a narrowing or blockage of airways–eg, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis; , and cancer. Regarding mammograms, 61% knew that women should start having screening mammograms at age 40, 77% knew that the recommended frequency after the first mammogram mammogram /mam·mo·gram/ (mam´o-gram) a radiograph of the breast. mam·mo·gram n. An x-ray image of the breast produced by mammography. is every year, and 90% knew that even women without family history of breast cancer should get mammograms. Only about half (51%) knew that most breast masses are found b y self breast examination. 80% knew that some women with a family history of breast cancer could still take hormone therapy Hormone therapy Treating cancers by changing the hormone balance of the body, instead of by using cell-killing drugs. Mentioned in: Breast Cancer, Thyroid Cancer hormone therapy . The most effective way of preventing cancer of the cervix cervix /cer·vix/ (ser´viks) pl. cer´vices [L.] 1. neck. 2. the front portion of the neck. 3. cervix uteri. , regular pap smears, was identified by 81% of the respondents. 39% knew that protection from osteoporosis can be provided by exercise, calcium supplements, and hormone replacement therapy Hormone Replacement Therapy Definition Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the use of synthetic or natural female hormones to make up for the decline or lack of natural hormones produced in a woman's body. . Only 14% could identify 6 of 7 warning signs of cancer. While the results of this study are encouraging in terms of recommended screening for breast and cervical cancer Cervical Cancer Definition Cervical cancer is a disease in which the cells of the cervix become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. , the need for more public Health education, especially regarding the risks of cardiovascular diseases in women, is apparent. |
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