Vibrant Health
by Cathy Sessums, MD, ΚΕ, Delta State University
Many women in America use their Ob-Gyn physician as their primary healthcare provider. The following are questions that I am asked multiple times each day. Please note that these questions deal more with prevention rather than treatment of disorders. I encourage each of my Phi Mu sisters to become an advocate for her own state of health.
Why should I have a mammogram? I know women who had normal mammograms and then discovered malignant lumps in their breasts a few months later.
Nothing in life is 100%. Self breast exam and annual mammograms after the age of 40 are
the best tools we currently have to detect breast cancer. Educate yourself about risk factors
such as family history, smoking, obesity and alcohol use. Many centers are upgrading to digital mammography, which gives physicians an additional piece of information about your risks for breast cancer – the Gail Score. If you have a Gail Score greater than 20%, you may be advised to have a breast MRI.
Why can’t I just ask for a breast MRI instead of having a mammogram?
Because of economics and accessibility. A breast MRI can cost thousands of dollars. It also
takes a longer time to perform, and there are many fewer MRIs for breasts than mammogram machines. A mammogram costs less than $200 in most centers and is usually covered by your health insurance, especially if you have a wellness benefit.
Who should get the new vaccination to protect against cervical cancer?
Gardasil is a three dose series of injections to protect against HPV infection. Human
Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that causes almost 100% of cervical cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Usually asymptomatic and painless, women are not aware that they have this virus until they have an abnormal Pap smear. HPV infections that cause dysplasia of the cervix (precursor to cervical cancer) are generally easily treated, but the expense and emotional stress of biopsies, office or out-patient surgery and multiple office visits take a toll on many young women. Gardasil provides immunity to four different types of HPV -- the two types that cause condyloma (venereal warts) and the two most common “high risk” types that cause cervical cancer. An estimated 20 million Americans have been
exposed to HPV, and about 6.2 million more are getting infected each year. This vaccine
has been approved for females ages 13-26, and some women over the age of 26 may be
candidates for the vaccination.
My grandmother and mother have osteoporosis. Should I be concerned?
Yes, because your family history puts you at higher risk for developing loss of density
(strength) in your bones and puts you at higher risk for fractures in the hip and spine later
in life. Thyroid disease, early menopause, smoking, and use of steroid medications for asthma or other disorders are additional risk factors. I advise my patients to have a DEXA scan (a
quick and painless procedure that measures bone density in the spine and hip) if they are at
increased risk for osteoporosis or at age 60 if they do not have risk factors. Many women are not getting adequate calcium and vitamin D in their diets. Supplements and weight-bearing exercise are two things that help to maintain bone density.
I’m planning on trying to get pregnant this year. What are some things I need to do in preparation?
Start folic acid supplements at a dose of .5 milligram to 1 milligram per day at least three
months prior to attempting conception. This can prevent certain neural tube defects like
spina bifida, and current studies are showing additional benefits like decreased risk of
preterm labor. If you are not getting any exercise, start working out on a regular basis. Lose
those 10 extra pounds you have picked up since your wedding. If you are taking prescription medications, find out if they are safe to use during pregnancy. And if you smoke, stop now!
I was told that my cholesterol was high when it was checked at a recent health fair. Should I be concerned?
Many women are fearful of developing breast or ovarian cancer, but cardiovascular disease
is the number one cause of death for women in the U.S. I am frustrated on a daily basis
by patients who have hypertension or significantly elevated cholesterol who refuse to take medication to get these conditions under control. Regular exercise, weight loss, and dietary changes are part of any cardiovascular fitness program. But if you have an underlying genetic predisposition for cardiovascular disease, please take the advice of your health care
professional if medication or additional testing is recommended.
Cathy Sessums, M.D., attended Delta State University where she was initiated into
the Kappa Epsilon Chapter of Phi Mu in 1976. She graduated from the University of
Mississippi School of Medicine and also performed a four-year residency in Obstetrics
and Gynecology at University Medical Center in Jackson, Miss. She has practiced
medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi for over 22 years. Cathy serves Phi Mu as Area
III Collegiate Membership Director and is a generous and faithful member of Phi Mu
Foundation’s 1852 Society.
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