Tag: screening

A doctor conducting alpha-fetoprotein testing

What is alpha-fetoprotein testing, anyway?

At Kamm McKenzie, we offer fetal screening tests in the first and second trimesters to all of our
patients. One test that I have found raises a great deal of confusion is the blood test for alpha
fetoprotein (AFP). In the past, AFP was used as one of multiple markers in the Quad and Tetra
screens which evaluated for the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s
syndrome. Now, we almost universally screen for chromosomal abnormalities with cell-free DNA
(cfDNA) testing. With the widespread use of cfDNA, we now use AFP on its own for a different screening indication – to assess the risk of fetal structural or anatomic defects.

Written by on March 25, 2024

top view of bra with two oranges on pink, breasts concept, #freethenip

#FreetheNip

As many of you are aware, I have two daughters and at dinner we were discussing the importance of October as breast cancer awareness month. (Their grandmother had breast cancer.)  To my surprise they brought up #FreetheNip…Well, how could it be that I take care of many women, most of whom have nipples and didn’t know about this movement? But my daughters did…I had to hash it out.

Written by on October 20, 2022

An overhead photo of the vaginal speculum, white napkin, medicine gloves and spatula. Medical plastic tool for holding open the vagina during medical investigation. Feminine woman health diagnosis. Image used to relay the updates to pap smear guidelines.

Update on Pap Smear Guidelines

We at Kamm McKenzie are updating our Pap smear guidelines to follow the most recent recommendations.  In the past, many women have been advised to have annual Pap smears or Pap smears every 3 years.  The most recently updated guidelines as of April 2021 have changed to increase the duration between screenings due to our evolving knowledge of how cervical cancer develops.  We have learned it takes many many years to go from an abnormal Pap to cervical cancer, thus allowing us to space out the time between screenings.  

Written by on August 16, 2022

blue ribbon for colorectal cancer screening month

Colorectal Cancer Screening

March is colorectal cancer (CRC) awareness month. While this is not a gynecological malignancy, your doctors and nurse practitioners at Kamm Mckenzie work with you during your health maintenance visits to make you aware of screening.  The purpose of screening is to find or remove polyps before they become cancer, or to find cancer as […]

Written by on March 1, 2021