Departments/Women's Health
Women's Health
General Practice Clinic is passionate about caring for women and we are dedicated to delivering excellence in women’s health.
Women’s health embodies so many different things – from contraception to gynecological health screens, and we believe in making women’s health a top priority.
Based in a calm and comfortable setting, our team of experienced female doctors and nurses are here to help – and can also draw on our extensive referral network of consultants to direct you to a suitable specialist when needed.
We always have time to listen
Female Medicals
We offer a standard and extended female medical to check the health of your entire body. Medicals are a perfect way to get a good overview of your current health. Regular medicals are a great way of preventing possibly serious future health issues. They can give you peace of mind top to toe and also tell you ways in which certain lifestyle changes can make you even healthier.
Female Health Screenings
Small, regular health screenings are vital for preventing serious health issues. If you don’t want a full medical, you can have individual health screens depending on your individual concerns. This might just be a gynaecological health check, or even more specific, like a breast examination or a cervical smear.
This type of screening allows you to understand your health status and give you peace of mind.
Cervical Screening
Cervical PAP smear test with one of our GPs / Gynecologist.
Breast Imaging
The breast imaging section offers screening, diagnostic and interventional services using various imaging modalities and is headed by our Breast Imaging Radiologist. This section is committed to providing high quality, evidence-based care and utilizes the BIRADS lexicon in the breast imaging reporting.
Gynecological Health screening
Our gynecology health is sometimes overlooked and can be quite worrying and for some, embarrassing, but our screening includes the most important gynaecological tests in a comfortable, caring environment. One of our female doctors will conduct a series of tests:
* a cervical sampling
* a pelvic examination
* a breast check
The consultation will also allow you the opportunity to raise any concerns or questions you may have about your gynecological health and to seek advice. If anything concerning is highlighted from your tests, further testing may be required or a referral to a specialist
Ovarian Cancer Screening
With non-specific symptoms in the early stages, ovarian cancer is notoriously difficult to spot. That’s where an ovarian cancer screening can help. With a female doctor you can discuss your past and current gynecological history highlighting any areas of concern or abnormalities. You can also discuss your family medical history and have a breast and pelvic examination.
As there is no national ovarian cancer screening program it is important to listen to your body and book a screening if you are concerned.
Breast Cancer Check
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Pakistani women. Screening mammograms and ultrasounds can find breast cancer early, when there may be more treatment options and a better chance of a cure.
Most women age 50 to 74 should have a screening mammogram every 2 years. Trans men and women may also need regular mammograms.
Female-led service
Our women’s health services are built on a foundation of trust, mutual understanding and respect, led by an amazing team of women.
You can come to our clinic and feel confident knowing that one of our female clinicians will provide you with the highest quality of care. They understand women on a medical and personal level and take a compassionate and understanding approach to all their services.
Experience is Everything
When it comes to your health, experience is everything.
Our dedicated clinicians deliver unparalleled, individual care and attention. Experience translates into good clinical judgement, early and accurate diagnosis, timely treatment, and excellent, all-round care.
FAQS
Worldwide all women are invited to attend for screening by mammography every 3 years from age 50. This has been shown to detect many more "early" and small breast cancers than would be expected without screening. As a result, it is possible to cure more women with breast cancers detected by screening than it is to cure women who present symptomatically with, for example, a breast lump. Screening does not, however, prevent breast cancer and some women will still die of breast cancer despite having regular mammography.
Breast cancer is more common as women get older and mammography is more sensitive at detecting cancer in older women. The success of screening largely depends on how common the disease is and the ease with which it can be detected. Young women are more likely than older women to have cancers that cannot be seen on a mammogram. As there are disadvantages to screening as well as advantages, it is currently thought that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages in women under age 50 but this is debated.
Mammography may detect a change in the breast that turns out to be non-cancerous. Tests, sometimes including surgery, may need to be performed before reassurance that all is well can be given. Each mammogram also gives you a small dose of radiation. Whilst we do not believe that this is a concern, it is theoretically possible that regular mammography in young women may actually cause a breast cancer to occur. Attending for mammography may also cause considerable anxiety.
Mammography outweigh the disadvantages. Whilst there are still limitations with mammography, this remains the best way we have of detecting breast cancer "early" while it is small.
One alternative to mammography is to be examined regularly by an expert in breast examination. There is little evidence to suggest that this is an effective method of screening but it might be of value in those at high risk of breast cancer. Another way is MRI screening. This may be more sensitive than mammography at detecting breast cancer. However, it is expensive, it may detect more changes that require investigation but turn out to be non-cancerous (about a 1 in 10 chance of this) and it has not been shown to improve overall survival in women who are screened. It is currently only considered for young women at very high risk.
Mammography is currently recommended every year for young women at increased risk of breast cancer and every 3 years for women over age 50 (although this is currently being reduced to age 47). Young women have mammograms more frequently than for older women, because breast cancer in young women may appear more quickly than in older women. If you are aware of a breast problem before you are due for your routine appointment you can arrange to be seen at the clinic by our Female General Surgeon or Female GP.
Screening women who are at increased risk of breast cancer usually starts at age 35 - 40 depending on degree of risk.
Screening is by invitation every 3 years as part of the Pakistan national breast screening program up until age 70 (currently being extended to age 73). Thereafter you will need to request that you are still screened if you wish to be.
When you attend the clinic the benefits and limitations of screening will be explained to you. Any further questions you have will be addressed.