{"id":83407,"date":"2025-06-13T14:33:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T20:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=83407"},"modified":"2025-06-13T14:33:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T20:33:00","slug":"why-gynecological-exams-are-important-for-women-age-65-and-older","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/why-gynecological-exams-are-important-for-women-age-65-and-older\/","title":{"rendered":"Why some women ages 65 and older still need gynecological exams. After a delayed doctor&#8217;s visit, she learned she had rare vulvar cancer."},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div><figure id=\"attachment_83409\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-83409\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-83409\" src=\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/04140006\/IMG_4840_web.webp\" alt=\"Jeanenne Tapia lives in Trinidad in southern Colorado and receives cancer care in Colorado Springs. Here Jeanenne poses for a photo with the iconic red rock formations at Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. Photo by Ana G. Robleto Lupiac.\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-83409\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeanenne Tapia lives in Trinidad in southern Colorado and receives cancer care in Colorado Springs. Here Jeanenne poses for a photo with the iconic red rock formations at Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. Photo by Ana G. Robleto Lupiac.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On a dark, cold day in January of 2022, Jeanenne Tapia went in for a long overdue checkup with her doctor.<\/p>\n<p>And the news she received matched the somber, wintry weather.<\/p>\n<p>It had been seven years since Jeanenne\u2019s last visit with her obstetrician-gynecologist.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, after enjoying special time with her family over the holidays, Jeanenne booked an appointment for January in her hometown of Trinidad.<\/p>\n<p>The start of a new year seemed like the right time to get answers about health issues that had been troubling her.<\/p>\n<p>Persistent bladder discomfort \u2014 something she thought was merely a common symptom after menopause \u2014 led her to seek help and ultimately to a profound new journey.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t seen you since 2015,&#8221; her doctor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Yes, I turned 65,&#8221; Jeanenne responded, thinking that she no longer needed regular pelvic exams and Pap smears after age 65.<\/p>\n<p>But her doctor let her know that she should have continued getting regular gynecological exams.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You still have all of your female organs, Jeanenne, and you need to keep up with all your screenings,\u201d the doctor said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Is there an age at which women should stop seeing their gynecologist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Like many women, Jeanenne believed that after menopause, regular gynecological screenings were no longer necessary. That\u2019s a widespread misconception that can put older women at risk.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2019Somewhere I read that once you turn 65, you no longer need pelvic exams, Pap smears, mammograms. So, I had stopped all that,\u2019\u2019 Jeanenne said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In fact, women need to keep seeing their doctors regularly as they age. In part, because there are five <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/diseases-conditions\/gynecological-cancers\/\">types of gynecologic cancer<\/a> that women can get, including the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/diseases-conditions\/cervical-cancer\/\">Cervical cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/diseases-conditions\/ovarian-cancer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ovarian cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/diseases-conditions\/uterine-cancer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Endometrial and uterine cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/diseases-conditions\/vaginal-cancer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vaginal cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaginal-vulvar-cancers\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vulvar cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>During Jeanenne\u2019s appointment, her gynecologist discovered polyps and ordered a biopsy.<\/p>\n<p>The results shocked Jeanenne.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wasn\u2019t even ill,\u2019\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n<p>The biopsy diagnosed vulvar cancer. Imaging exams determined it was stage 4. She was 68.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why screenings after 65 are so important<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Vulvar cancer forms on the outer surface of the vulva. It\u2019s quite rare, striking about 7,500 women each year in the United States.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2018\u2018<\/strong>I think women just assume, because I know I did, that it will never happen to me. I think that&#8217;s the common thought,\u201d Jeanenne said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;re invincible. We&#8217;re indestructible. We have families, we have jobs. We can&#8217;t get cancer. It&#8217;s not going to happen to us.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Jeanenne\u2019s doctor in Trinidad referred her to see gynecological specialists at <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/locations\/uchealth-university-of-colorado-hospital-uch\/\">UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital<\/a> on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/locations\/uchealth-at-university-of-colorado-anschutz-medical-campus\/\">Anschutz Medical Campus<\/a> in Aurora. Following treatments there, Jeanenne was able to see cancer specialists closer to home at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/locations\/uchealth-hematology-and-oncology-memorial-hospital-central\/\">UCHealth Cancer Center at Memorial Hospital Central<\/a> in Colorado Springs.<\/p>\n<p>As she faced her tough diagnosis, Jeanenne discovered new strength and a new conviction that she shares with other women: be sure to take care of yourself, and get your checkups.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018To say I was frightened and traumatized, in doubt, disbelief and shock, those are all understatements. But I am a strong woman of faith.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Postmenopausal women need regular checkups and screenings, just like younger women<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Postmenopausal women should follow their doctors\u2019 guidance about the frequency of checkups and recommended screenings.<\/p>\n<p>While there are general guidelines, each situation is unique, and a person\u2019s medical history affects the type, number and frequency of screenings each patient needs.<\/p>\n<p>Research shows that many women approaching age 65 make choices similar to Jeanenne\u2019s and <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/cancer\/research\/older-women-may-not-get-needed-cervical-cancer-screenings.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stop undergoing screenings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For example, when it comes to cervical cancer screenings, experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The older women get, the more likely it is that they have either never been tested for cancer or haven\u2019t been screened in the previous five years.<\/li>\n<li>Approximately one in 20 women between the ages of 66 and 70 has never been tested for cervical cancer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But it\u2019s vital for women to keep getting preventive care as they age.<\/p>\n<p>Jeanenne dismissed her symptoms until they became overwhelming.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I developed difficulty with urination, and as a post-menopausal woman, I initially thought it was due to bladder prolapse, which is common in women my age,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p>Jeanenne also ignored warning signs, including her 30-pound weight loss over the previous few months before she saw her doctor.<\/p>\n<p>She had spent her life taking care of others. She dedicated 25 years of her career to work in health care.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018During my 25 years in health care, I served in many different capacities.\u00a0 I began as\u00a0a switchboard operator, in the old days of actual switchboards.\u00a0 I worked my way up to serving on a team of four administrators in the role of Director of Human Resources.\u00a0 I often covered for the CEO in times of his absence.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n<p>She had been busy with her profession and family throughout her life. Making time for her health wasn\u2019t a priority.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018I found both of my careers very rewarding. At the time I became sick, I had just retired.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_83421\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-83421\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-83421\" src=\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/04142208\/IMG_4856_web.webp\" alt=\"Jeanenne urges other women to prioritize regular medical checkups and to embrace the screenings suited to their age and medical history. Photo by Ana G. Robleto Lupiac.\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-83421\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeanenne urges other women to prioritize regular medical checkups and to embrace the screenings suited to their age and medical history. Photo by Ana G. Robleto Lupiac.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>The risk of vulvar cancer rises as women age<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The risk of vulvar cancer goes up as women age, according to researchers at the <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/types\/vulvar-cancer\/causes-risks-prevention\/risk-factors.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Cancer Society<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>More than half of vulvar cancer cases occur in women over age 70.\u00a0 Fewer than 20% of cases surface in women younger than 50.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Women over age 65 should still be talking to their health care providers about pelvic exams and making individualized decisions,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/provider\/carolyn-lefkowits-md-mph-ms\/\">Dr. Carolyn Lefkowits<\/a>, gynecologic oncologist\u00a0at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/locations\/uchealth-university-of-colorado-cancer-center-anschutz\">UCHealth Cancer Care &#8211; Anschutz Medical Campus &#8211; University of Colorado Cancer Center<\/a> said.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Lefkowits is part of Jeanenne&#8217;s health care team.<\/p>\n<p>Older women should openly discuss any health concerns they may have with their health care providers. Open dialogue about these issues is essential for maintaining the quality of care.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018You and your gynecologists, obstetricians or other health providers should discuss your medical history and the risks and benefits of a pelvic exam. You should make this decision together. Sometimes it&#8217;s appropriate to stop getting Pap smears at age 65, but sometimes it&#8217;s not,&#8221; Lefkowits said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>According to guidelines from the <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/womens-health\/infographics\/cervical-cancer-screening\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists<\/a>, women ages 65 and older can discontinue cervical cancer screening if:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They do not have a history of moderate or severe abnormal cervical cells or cervical cancer <strong>and<\/strong>,<\/li>\n<li>They have had three consecutive negative Pap tests, two consecutive negative HPV (human papillomavirus) tests, or two consecutive negative co-tests within the past decade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u2018\u2018My recommendation for women over age 65 is to make sure you discuss with your primary care doctor whether you need a pelvic exam and\/or a Pap smear and then engage in shared decision making to make sure you\u2019re getting the gynecologic care you need,\u2019\u2019 Lefkowits said.<\/p>\n<p>Bleeding after menopause or a new lump in the vulva or vagina are warning signs that indicate you should seek medical care immediately.<\/p>\n<p>Routine <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/preventive-care-screenings\/\">preventive care screenings<\/a> are important for every age and stage, from your 20s to your 70s and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>Caring for patients with cancer demands a dedicated team of medical professionals, each bringing their unique expertise to provide the highest level of support and treatment for those facing this challenging journey.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018Vulvar cancer is uncommon. It may present symptoms such as a lump on the vulva or it can present with bleeding or could be picked up as a mass at the time of a routine pelvic exam,\u2019\u2019 said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/provider\/robert-hoyer-md-hematology-and-oncology\/\">Dr. Robert Hoyer<\/a>, medical director of oncology research at the Cancer Care and Hematology Clinic at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/locations\/uchealth-memorial-hospital-central\/\">UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central<\/a>, part of the cancer care team that work together to ensure continuous health care for Jeanenne.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018The risk of developing this type of cancer (vulvar) is about one in 133 during a woman\u2019s lifetime,\u2019\u2019 Hoyer said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-callout-box col-xs-12 col-sm-6 right\" style=\"background-color:#dce4e7; color:#2e3b44;\">\n<h4 class=\"x_elementToProof\"><strong>Recommended screenings to detect gynecological cancers<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">It is essential for women to get gynecological screenings based on their medical history and their age. Here are some guidelines:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"x_elementToProof\">Older women should keep seeing their primary care doctor or obstetrician-gynecologist every year for a checkup.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_elementToProof\">Women should get Pap smears every three years between ages 21 and 65. Pap smears detect cervical cancer and other problems in the cervix.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_elementToProof\">Talk to your doctor about screening tests you should get since recommendations vary based on age and health history.<\/li>\n<li class=\"x_elementToProof\">Get regular checkups with the dentist as well to check for lumps in the mouth or the throat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">Source: <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/womens-health\/experts-and-stories\/the-latest\/why-annual-pap-smears-are-history-but-routine-ob-gyn-visits-are-not\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians<\/a><\/div>\n<div><\/div><\/div>\n<h2><strong>Advances in cancer treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Jeanenne needed aggressive treatments that included six rounds of chemotherapy and five sessions of radiation therapy.<\/p>\n<p>Her treatment involved chemotherapy to target and damage cancerous cells. Its primary aim is to stop the relentless division and multiplication of harmful cells.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018With almost all cancers, the earlier the cancer is found and treated, the better rate of cure,\u2019\u2019 Hoyer said.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to early diagnosis, advanced treatments make a big difference in how well patients do.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018We know that cancer cells require VEGF, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, a protein that plays a crucial role in the formation of new blood vessels, to grow and spread. It is related to the blood supply to cancer,\u2019\u2019 Hoyer said.<\/p>\n<p>As part of her treatment, Jeanenne\u00b4s doctors prescribed Bevacizumab, which prevents the cancer from recruiting new blood vessels for growth.<\/p>\n<p>Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat various cancers. As part of its functions, it works by blocking the protein called VEGF.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2019And also, it helps the chemotherapy get into the tumor better, penetrate into the tumor. We&#8217;ve seen with the addition of Bevacizumab to the chemotherapy that there is a better response rate, higher percentages of cancer shrinkage in patients and also longer duration of effectiveness of the chemotherapy and improved survival for patients who receive that drug in conjunction with the chemotherapy,\u2019\u2019 Hoyer said.<\/p>\n<p>By the time doctors discovered Jeanenne\u2019s cancer, it had already spread from her vulva to other parts of her body. That\u2019s what doctors refer to as metastatic disease.<\/p>\n<p>In Jeanenne\u2019s case, her cancer spread to her bones. To help prevent bone fractures, Jeanenne\u2019s doctors prescribed a drug called Xgeva. It helps strengthen the bone when it is weakened and more susceptible to fracture from the cancer.<\/p>\n<p>Jeanenne has responded very well to her treatments.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018The pelvis, lymph nodes and the bone all responded to the treatment,&#8221; Hoyer said. &#8220;Jeanenne had what&#8217;s called a complete response to therapy. She currently has no evidence of any cancer, and we&#8217;re monitoring if there&#8217;s any evidence of recurrence. We&#8217;ll continue monitoring.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018The collaboration with Dr. Carolyn Lefkowits, the gynecologic oncologist in Denver, has been phenomenal, along with the other specialists she has worked with,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>A strong network of support and a woman\u00b4s determination<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Jeanenne&#8217;s unwavering determination and the expertise of a dedicated team of medical specialists have been instrumental in her recovery.<\/p>\n<p>She built a strong network of support and drew on the unwavering love of her husband and encouragement from her community.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018It\u2019s a true privilege to be part of Jeanenne\u00b4s care team and to witness the strength and determination both she and Ken have demonstrated throughout this process. Even in the harder times, Jeanenne could always muster a smile and a story about how she was looking forward to getting back to wearing her signature high heels,\u2019\u2019 Lefkowits said.<\/p>\n<p>The physical and emotional support of a cancer patient&#8217;s loved ones is essential during the treatment process.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018I am a true living, walking, breathing miracle because of God, cancer treatment, therapy and research at UCHealth,\u2019\u2019 Jeanenne said.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_83419\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-83419\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-83419\" src=\"https:\/\/uchealth-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/06\/04141805\/IMG_4816_web.webp\" alt=\"Jeanenne and her husband, Ken Tapia. Photo by Ana G. Robleto Lupiac.\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-83419\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jeanenne and her husband, Ken Tapia. Photo by Ana G. Robleto Lupiac.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Jeanenne&#8217;s husband, Ken Tapia, has been her partner throughout her healing journey.<\/p>\n<p>Ken is a well-known hairdresser in Trinidad. At times, he had to rearrange appointments for clients, but he always put Jeanenne\u2019s care first.<\/p>\n<p>She affectionately describes her husband as an unwavering &#8220;advocate&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Although they had met in high school, they didn&#8217;t start dating until later in life.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018It had to be him to get me through this,\u2019\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n<p>The saying &#8220;true love is proven in hard times&#8221; is exemplified in the story of Jeanenne and Ken, whose love has grown stronger through the health challenges they faced together.<\/p>\n<p>Jeanenne also draws strength and determination from generations of strong women who shaped her.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018I was raised by a fierce, strong mother, who was raised by a fierce, strong mother. We are generations of women who are fierce and strong,\u2019\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018Dr. Carolyn Lefkowits from UCHealth, gave me this statement: \u2018your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/services\/radiology\/\">CAT scan<\/a> looks great\u2019. Now, for a patient who was at stage 4 cancer, almost terminal, to hear your CAT scan looks great, it was an overwhelming feeling,\u2019\u2019 Jeanenne said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-callout-box col-xs-12 col-sm-6 right\" style=\"background-color:#dce4e7; color:#2e3b44;\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<h4><strong>HPV vaccines save lives <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) reduces the incidence of several types of cancer. Here are key facts about preventing HPV:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>HPV infection is associated with vulvar, oral and cervix cancer.<\/li>\n<li>About 13 million Americans, including teens, become infected with HPV each year.<\/li>\n<li>HPV spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact.<\/li>\n<li>About 61% of <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hpv\/about\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adolescents in the US<\/a> have received HPV vaccination, with girls slightly more likely to have a vaccine than boys.<\/li>\n<li>All individuals under age 26 should get fully vaccinated for HPV.<\/li>\n<li>If you have questions about HPV vaccines, consult with your doctor. Learn more about <a id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/vpd\/hpv\/hcp\/recommendations.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HPV vaccine recommendations<\/a> from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Patient encourages older women to speak with their doctor about Pap smears and preventive care<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Jeanenne once believed she could never get cancer. Once she received her diagnosis, her perspective shifted dramatically. Now, she passionately champions the importance of women&#8217;s health, urging other women to prioritize regular medical checkups and to embrace the screenings suited to their age and medical history.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018\u2018Stay focused on your body. Listen to your body. If there is something going on, tell the doctor. Don&#8217;t assume anything. Let the doctor decide. Always get your mammograms, get your pelvic exams and your Pap smears, whether you have female organs or not. If the doctor decides you don&#8217;t need them, let the doctor tell you that,\u2019\u2019 she advised.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On a dark, cold day in January of 2022, Jeanenne Tapia went in for a long overdue checkup with her doctor. And the news she received matched the somber, wintry weather. It had been seven years since Jeanenne\u2019s last visit with her obstetrician-gynecologist. Finally, after enjoying special time with her family over the holidays, Jeanenne [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2412,"featured_media":83409,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[28,4842,1046,212],"class_list":["post-83407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories","tag-cancer-care-oncology","tag-cancer-screening","tag-health-screening","tag-womens-care"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why gynecological exams are important for women after age 65 - UCHealth Today<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gynecological cancers, including vulvar cancer, can strike older women. 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Robleto Lupiac\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@uchealth\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@uchealth\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ana G. Robleto Lupiac\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/why-gynecological-exams-are-important-for-women-age-65-and-older\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/why-gynecological-exams-are-important-for-women-age-65-and-older\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ana G. 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