By Christen McCluney
Recently the Pentagon Channel sat down with Kathie McCracken, Director for Women’s Health Patient Advocacy and Medical Ethics in the Military Health System (MHS) to discuss guidelines concerning women’s health.
McCracken said that the MHS recognizes that several reports in the media have created confusion on when women should receive care, but at this time the TRICARE benefit remains unchanged.
She said that it is recommended that women ages 18 and older, or women under 18 that are sexually active, receive a pelvic exam that includes a pap smear on annual basis. It is also recommended that after a woman has three consecutive pap smears, which produce normal results she should speak with her primary care physician to see if it is necessary to have one yearly or every three years based on her needs and medical history.
It is also recommended that women at the age of 35 considered high risk for breast cancer and all women at 39 receive a mammogram on an annual basis.
McCracken stressed that the best way to alleviate any concerns is for women to have a discussion with their doctors, ask as many questions as possible and find the appropriate option that is unique to their own medical history.
“We recognize that mammograms and pap smears are wonderful tools in maintaining good health for our female beneficiaries,” McCracken said, “we can’t encourage enough that beneficiaries have the discussion with their primary care manager because it is unique to each patient.”
For more information on covered services for women, click here.
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