Fenway South End

Why screening for breast cancer with a mammogram is important:

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer for women in the United States. When breast cancer is found early, it has a higher chance of being treated successfully. A mammogram (an X-ray of the breast) is a screening that can find signs of cancer before you may be able to feel something like a hard lump in your breast. Women should have a mammogram every one or two years. 

Healthcare Quality Measure:

This measure looks at if women patients ages 50 to 74 had a mammogram to check for breast cancer at least once in the past two years.

Why screening for cervical cancer with a Pap test is important:

Cervical cancer is a slow-growing cancer and is usually caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). A Pap test is a screening test used to look for changes in the cells of the cervix (the lower part of the womb that opens into the vagina). Because cervical cancer takes a long time to develop, regular Pap tests may show changes in cells before they become cancer. Women should have a Pap test every three years. Getting regular Pap tests can help to find cancer early, when treatment has the best chance of success. 

Healthcare Quality Measure:

This measure looks at if women patients ages 21 to 64 had a Pap test to check for cervical cancer. There are two ways women can be screened for cervical cancer, depending on the women's age:

• Cervical cytology performed every three years for women ages 21 to 64, or 
• Cervical cytology/human papillomavirus (HPV) co-testing performed every five years for women ages 30 to 64.

Why getting tested for chlamydia is important:

Chlamydia is an infection that is easily spread through sexual contact. If it is left untreated, chlamydia can have serious consequences such as infertility and a greater chance of contracting HIV. Although people of any gender can have chlamydia, it is most common in women. Because chlamydia has few symptoms and most people with chlamydia do not show symptoms, it is very important to have screening test done as part of a yearly health exam.

Healthcare quality measure:

This measure looks at sexually active women patients ages 16 to 20 that have had a test to check for chlamydia in the past year.

Why getting tested for chlamydia is important:

Chlamydia is an infection that is easily spread through sexual contact. If it is left untreated, chlamydia can have serious consequences such as infertility and a greater chance of contracting HIV. Although people of any gender can have chlamydia, it is most common in women. Because chlamydia has few symptoms and most people with chlamydia do not show symptoms, it is very important to have screening test done as part of a yearly health exam. 

Healthcare quality measure:

This measure looks at sexually active women patients ages 21 to 24 that have had a test to check for chlamydia in the past year.

Why measuring well child visits for young adults (in their late adolescent years) is important:

The purpose of a well visit each year is to promote continued healthy habits and prevent lifelong problems. Late adolescence is also a time when some health problems end and new ones may start. Problems during these years can put a young adult at risk for the rest of their life. 

Healthcare Quality Measure:

This measure looks at young adults ages 18 to 21 who had at least one well visit during the past year. These well visits (check-ups) with a doctor are to see how well the young adult is growing and to give information about avoiding risky behaviors. They are not the same as visits when the young adult is sick.

Why measuring colorectal cancer screening tests is important:

Having a screening for colorectal cancer can help to find colorectal cancer early. The earlier this cancer is found, the more successful the treatment can be. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among adults in the United States. Most people should have a colorectal cancer screening test every ten years. 

Healthcare Quality Measure:

This measure looks at the percent of adult patients ages 45 to 49 who have had screening for colorectal cancer. Here are the types of included colorectal cancer screening tests: annual fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, colonoscopy every 10 years, computed tomography colonography every 5 years, stool DNA test every 3 years.

Why measuring colorectal cancer screening tests is important:

Having a screening for colorectal cancer can help to find colorectal cancer early. The earlier this cancer is found, the more successful the treatment can be. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among adults in the United States. Most people should have a colorectal cancer screening test every ten years. 

Healthcare Quality Measure:

This measure looks at the percent of adult patients ages 50 to 75 who have had screening for colorectal cancer. Here are the types of included colorectal cancer screening tests: annual fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, colonoscopy every 10 years, computed tomography colonography every 5 years, stool DNA test every 3 years.