Health Counseling

Q:  I am a 50-year-old woman who has been healthy all my life. I get mammograms every year, because I get muscle spasms in my left breast, and everything is fine.

Because I have been healthy and have not gone to a doctor to establish a relationship or family record, where do I go now to discuss menopause/supplements and whether or not I even need them?

I have no insurance (I am self-employed). Can you tell me who will listen to my questions and concerns without charging me an arm and a leg?

A:  Routine doctor visits have never been proven to lengthen your life, but I think that by the time people hit the big 5-0 (and maybe even before), they should have a thorough examination and be established with a primary care physician.

For women your age, breast exam and mammogram, pelvic exam and pap smear, and flexible sigmoidoscopy are important screening tests, and hormone replacement therapy and prevention of osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer should be discussed.

A new patient visit will run anywhere from $55 to $150 and may take from 30 to 60 minutes. It's not inexpensive, but when you consider that a hair cut, style and color can cost about $60, it's well worth the investment in your health.

I would ask up front what the estimated charges are before making an appointment.

"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.