In my last blog post, I talked about Chris Evert’s ovarian cancer diagnosis and the importance of knowing your family medical history. While reviewing my medical journals this month, I found another reason to write about ovarian cancer:  the importance of recognizing symptoms.
About OVarian Cancer
About 13,000 women in the U.S. die of ovarian cancer each year—making it the deadliest of all cancers of a woman’s reproductive system. Survival rates are poor because the cancer is usually not discovered until an advanced stage (III or IV). Only about 10 to 30% of women diagnosed…

Many of our patients know that Dr. Favor loves tennis! Her enthusiasm for a competitive game led her to high school and college state tennis championships. In 1972, when Dr. Favor was still in grade school, Hall of Fame player Chris Evert began her professional tennis career. Evert’s talent and, above all, her mental toughness inspired a generation of women players including young Judi Favor.

Last week, Chris Evert announced that she has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The road ahead will surely test that mental toughness. But by sharing her difficult personal story, she is again able to…

This post has been updated:
Only about 60% of American teens (13 through 17) have been vaccinated against HPV. The HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine provides protection against certain viruses that are known to cause cervical cancer. Here in Alabama, the statistics are slightly worse. We remind you that–regardless of whether you have received the HPV vaccine–you should continue to be screened for cervical cancer after age 21 (Pap test/HPV test).

Recently the CDC has added additional guidance for adults over age 26 who have not yet been vaccinated against HPV as follows:
“…some adults age 27…

Over the nine months of your pregnancy, you are likely to experience some physical and emotional bumps in the road. Most women are not caught off guard by feelings of fatigue and the discomforts of morning sickness during the early weeks. These sensations usually improve. The middle months pass as you make plans and preparations for your child’s arrival.

As you begin your third trimester, your doctor will schedule a few tests to make sure your body is adapting well to the changes that pregnancy brings. Your 28-week appointment will include a screening test of your blood sugar…

What Is Pre-Diabetes? Take the One-Minute Test…

The average age for a woman to reach menopause is about 51. A woman has reached menopause when she has had no menstrual periods for 12 months. The transition between the reproductive years and menopause is gradual and can last for several years. Doctors call this phase perimenopause. Periods become more irregular, and other symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes, mood changes, changes in sexuality may become bothersome.
What Causes Menopause
Very simply, a woman reaches menopause when she runs out of functioning eggs. The journey toward menopause actually begins before birth! At 24 weeks of pregnancy, a baby girl…

Most of my patients know that my last day of practice will be September 30th, since I began early this year notifying you at your annual exam. I am very glad that I decided to do this. It has given me a chance to share memories with many of you whom I’ve cared for through years, decades, and sometimes generations. I’ve shared both joyous and challenging moments with you and your families. I cannot thank you enough for your trust in my care, and for your kind words as I pass that care on to my wonderful partners…

Nearly twenty years have passed since the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) announced serious safety concerns involving hormone replacement therapy during menopause. Since then, we have come to understand that these early conclusions were based on an incomplete understanding of the study’s data. Unfortunately, the announcement caused panic among American women. Nearly half of them gave up hormone replacement within a few months. Women whose menopausal symptoms reduced their quality of life resigned themselves to suffer in silence.

With better information, women have now reached a more balanced understanding of the benefits and possible risks of hormone replacement therapy…

Slightly more than 1 in 3 American women will develop cancer in her lifetime. Cancer is the second leading cause of death for women (after heart disease). True, it usually strikes during or after middle-age. About 77% of cancers are discovered in people 55 or older. But even if, as you are reading this, “middle-age” seems a long way off; consider that your ability to influence many cancer risk factors begins much earlier in life. Some of the facts I mention here are well-known, but you’ll also find some new insights if you read on…

This Post has been edited since its original publication.
Will your summer travel plans include a mission trip, a cruise, or other foreign travel? Will you have a student studying in a foreign country? Even if you’re travelling within the U.S., a few health-related items should be included on your planning checklist…