The two faces of health care for women

The prevention of chronic diseases through early medical screening and surveillance has been paramount to women's good health. Cervical cytology, mammography, and bone densitometry are examples of technologies used to detect early-stage disease, thus allowing early intervention. The adoption of cervical cytology screening has resulted in a rapid decrease in cervical cancer mortality rates in more-developed countries. New technologies in liquid-based cytology, automated reading, and testing for human papillomavirus are being implemented to try to improve on the limitations of routine cytology. Widespread use of mammography has resulted in a breast cancer survival benefit. Bone densitometry is now adopted in some regions, given the known benefits of therapy for osteoporosis. However, the efficacy of bone densitometry screening is still in question.