The ISIS Project
Talking With Your Doctor
How do I talk to my doctor?
Here are some tips to remember when talking to your doctor.
- Realize that only you only have one body.
- You must speak up for your health.
- The best patient is an educated patient.
- Do not be afraid to talk openly with your healthcare provider about what you have learned, ask questions and voice any concerns.
"After learning about the HPV test from a relative who is a doctor, I asked for it when I got my last Pap smear. My gynecologist initially told me it wasn't necessary, but when I insisted, she did it. Sure enough, the results showed that I had a high-risk type of HPV, even though my Pap was normal.
At that point, I knew enough about HPV to not be too concerned, because I knew it would most likely go away on its own. However, I'm a busy executive, and I am not typically that punctual about getting screened every year for cervical cancer. Now that I know I'm at increased risk, though, I'll make sure I don't miss my next scheduled exam. If I still have HPV at my next appointment, my gynecologist has said she'll do a colposcopy to make sure she knows what's going on."