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."

Andy F., 51 years old