title: Factors Affecting Gynecologic and Sexual Assessment in Older Women: A Lesson for Primary Care Providers.
abstract: Guidelines for screening of cervical cancer and pelvic exams for older women have recently changed. These changes may have unexpected sequelae in women over 65 years of age. This manuscript provides a review of gynecologic screening recommendations for older women in the U.S. and potential ramifications of these recent changes. Peer reviewed guidelines from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, U.S. Preventative Task Force Services, the American Cancer Society, The Centers for Disease Control, and multiple original research articles and reviews were reviewed for this manuscript. Women over 65 are at greatest risk to develop late stage diagnoses of cancers, pelvic organ disease, incontinence, and infections. Clinicians will need to acutely consider this fact when communicating and screening this population. We conclude that practitioners should be aware of the new guidelines and should consider including gynecologic health history and symptom analysis as part of annual exams in women of all ages.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 529, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. thomasonayasha@uams.edu.
authors.forename: Ayasha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomason
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 529, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. njcapps@uams.edu.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Capps
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 529, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. leflerleanne@uams.edu.
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lefler
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, Slot 518, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. garicharddavis@uams.edu.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Richard-Davis
keywords: guidelines; gynecologic screening; older women; primary care