Improving access to cervical cancer screening: The impact of a Saturday pap smear clinic.

Introduction: The implementation of cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has significantly reduced cervical cancer rates. However, it remains the fourth most common cancer among women globally. Barriers to screening include personal, health system, and insurance factors.

Saturday Pap Smear Clinic: addressing barriers to cervical cancer screening.

Background: The incidence of cervical cancer has decreased by 70% since the 1950s. Preventative measures include vaccination against HPV strains and Papanicolaou tests. Early identification of cervical cancer through routine screening can significantly improve patient outcomes.

Papanicolaou test collection with the Papette brush or the spatula with cytobrush: A pragmatic study.

Background: Cotesting with the Papanicolaou (Pap) and human papillomavirus tests detects most precancerous and cancerous lesions and increases the sensitivity for detecting high-grade precancerous and invasive cervical cancers compared with human papillomavirus testing alone.

Objective: To compare the use of the Papette brush (hereafter Papette) to the traditional spatula with endocervical brush (cytobrush) for cervical cancer screening.

Design: Pragmatic observational study.

Addressing Anxiety and Fear during the Female Pelvic Examination.

Methods: We reviewed the literature pertaining to anxiety and fear surrounding the pelvic examination to help guide health care providers' on available screening options and to review options for individualized patient management.

Results: Anxiety and fear are common before and during the pelvic examination. In fact, the pelvic exam is one of the most common anxiety-provoking medical procedures.

Postpartum depression in older women.

Postpartum depression, which affects 10% to 20% of women in the United States, can significantly harm the health and quality of life for mother, child, and family. This article reviews the risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of postpartum depression with specific focus on women of advanced maternal age.