In November 2005, Asian Hospital and Medical Center established the Center for Women’s Health to promote health awareness among women and address their unique healthcare needs. The center aims to serve all the healthcare needs of women on an outpatient basis.
Aside from conducting regular lay forums for expecting women and their partners, the Center through its Gynecologic Cancer Unit also has a strong cancer screening program for women and offers effective treatment of pelvic cancer as well. Screening detects early signs of cancer. Early detection means immediate treatment and a greater chance of survival.
The Screening Clinic of the Gynecologic Cancer Unit offers the following screening tests:
Colposcopy
Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a colposcope, an instrument with up to 40x magnifying capacity. Through the colposcope, the doctor is able to closely examine the lower genital tract for changes that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Colposcopy also accurately assesses the extent of the changes and direct suspicious areas for biopsy.
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
LEEP is currently one of the most commonly used approaches to treating high grade cervical dysplasia discovered on colposcopic examination. In this procedure, the ob-gyn used a fine wire loop and low-energy current to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix. LEEP has many advantages including low cost, high success rate, and ease of use. The procedure can be done in an office setting and only requires a local anesthetic.
Cone Biopsy
Also known as conization, cone biopsy refers to the removal (using LEEP) of a cone-shaped specimen of tissue for examination under a microscope. The tissue removed provides a more extensive sample for diagnosis than a simple biopsy. Cone biopsy may be used as a treatment for precancerous lesions and early cancers.
ThinPrep Pap Test
You may have lesions or masses in your lower genital tract even if you don’t feel any pain or symptoms. With a Pap Test, your doctor can catch early cell changes in the cervix before they become serious. In a Pap Test, your doctor gently scrapes cells from your cervix and smears the cells onto a glass slide or mixes them into a liquid preservative. The slide is then sent to the laboratory for evaluation under a microscope to detect signs of cell changes before these lead to cancer.
HPV DNA testing
Human papilloma virus or HPV, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, is the primary cause of cervical cancer. There is increasing global interest in the potential benefits of HPV DNA testing in cervical cancer screening programs. HPV DNA testing indicates whether a woman is infected with high-risk HPV types and thus at increased risk of cervical cancer.
State-of-the-art window to your baby’s world
The Center for Women’s Health offers you a window to your unborn baby’s world through the GE Voluson Expert 730 Ultrasound Machine—the world’s first ultrasound system featuring RealTime 4D Technology. This machine delivers photos and videos so lifelike you’d think they were shot by a powerful digital camera or video camera.
Seeing your unborn baby is an experience of a lifetime. Through this revolutionary ultrasound machine, you can watch your baby stretch, kick, play, yawn, or suck his thumb inside Mom’s womb. You can even see your baby’s face and know if she looks more like Mom or Dad. Now you can capture these precious images in 3D photos and 4D videos.
The Center for Women’s Health is located at the Lifestyle Medicine Center, 4/F Main Hospital Building. For inquiries, call:
Direct line: (632) 876-5765
Trunk line: (632) 771-9000 ext. 5765
Email: womenshealth@asianhospital.com