Tests Every Woman Should Undergo

1. What is the importance of a woman to undergo health exams? Are they given the attention that is required?

Being aware of general health and having regular health exams is a good habit. This provides an opportunity to detect some diseases that do not often present with bothersome symptoms, and take remedial measures pretty early. It is reasonable to combine general health exams at the same time as when women attend for the recommended screening tests. The general healthcare system in Kenya is wanting in terms of facilitating regular checks and screening, hence the vast majority of women will only present when a problem has already occurred.

2. From what age is it recommended that a woman should undergo health exams?

The maturity of women’s reproductive system occurs at puberty, and with this the potential for reproductive system diseases sets in. Thus starting from adolescence, there should be a general awareness of reproductive health, and advice should always be sought if unusual symptoms appear. Commencement of health exams should be timed with commencement of sexual activity, or around the ages of 21 – 25 years which is the recommended age for starting cervical cancer screening (Pap smears).

3. What health risks are women particularly exposed to that require them to undergo health tests?

The main reproductive health ones are gynaecological cancers (breast, cervical, ovarian, uterine) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV.

4. What are some of the tests that every woman should undergo in her lifetime and at what age and after how long?

See the attached article published last year when I wrote about screening tests (page 2 of the pdf doc)

5. Is there much awareness done about some of the diseases and conditions that affect women in our country today that they need to be made knowledgeable about?

Yes, there are ongoing initiatives through the Division of Reproductive Health to educate the general public and popularise screening tests in order to reduce the burden of diseases like cervical cancer

6. Any statistics of particular diseases and conditions that affect women more that they need to be more empowered about.

Cervical and breast cancer are the obvious examples, but STIs should also be high on the list

7. What needs to be done to ensure that every woman goes for a health exam?

Individuals must take responsibility for their own healthGeneral public education and health information must be easily availableJurisdictions must ensure healthcare services are available, affordable and accessible; and must be adequately equipped and staffed.

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