Cervical Cancer - The Pap Smear and HPV Test Combination

Many women in America are affected by cervical cancer. Nevertheless, there are equal or greater numbers of women who are not affected by the disease but are still rigorously tested. There is no doubt that the pap smear tests are recommended for all girls who have crossed puberty, but the question that persists is whether such testing is frequently required and whether our women and doctors are well-briefed about the same.

Cervical cancer is one of the diseases caused by a virus of the papillomavirus family of viruses called the Human Papillomavirus. This virus has almost 200 types and generally causes no symptoms in people. Some of the HPV viruses cause symptoms like warts while others are responsible for cancers of the vagina, vulva or cervix in females. However, one very important point is that this virus is very common in the surroundings almost like common cold and in most cases the bodies of young girls destroy it and deal with the infection quite effectively. It is only when the infection is harbored for more than a year or so, that risks may be developed.

A doctor must hence be very careful in recommending tests and check-ups for a young girl. If the girl's body is tested positive for the presence of HPV, then following the results extensive tests and treatments may be administered by the practicing medical professional. But such treatments may result in weakening of the cervix rendering it incapable of carrying forth a successful pregnancy and childbirth in future. Keeping in mind such factors there are a few guidelines that healthcare experts have come up with -

1. Girls in the twenties bracket should be test for HPV only after a positive pap test

2. A combination of the Pap smear and HPV test should be done only on women older than 30 years.

The Centers for Disease Control in the U.S. Department of Health And Human Services has gone further to set one more thumb rule so that women can lead safer lives without the risks of adverse effects of testing. This would bring us to the 3 point:

3. As listed on the official document issued by CDC "1 woman + 2 negative tests = 3 years" which means if the Pap Smear and HPV tests are negative for a woman, then she can refrain form getting tested for cervical cancer for three whole years!

Such a proscription is medically proven by the fact that cervical cancer is a cancer that grows very slowly. In most cases, women far from chances of developing a cancer are repeatedly tested for it. Staying abreast with medical news and research is hence important for doctors and patients alike. Moreover, the HPV test is not here to replace Pap smear tests for cervical cancer as both are equally important. The latter is a preliminary test while the former is a confirmatory test which can guide subsequent treatment when needed.

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens at the top of the vagina. Find out about cervical cancer and other Medical News from our website.


Original article

Cervical Cancer Patients - Emotions and Support

Cervical cancer, for doctors is just a disease, which they are striving to eradicate. But for the patients, of course, their whole life becomes a battle as soon as they know that they are fighting with cancer. The emotions that cancer patients go through, is not for anybody to understand unless they suffer it.

There have been many survival stories and inspirational fights put up against cancer. There have been support groups and foundations for helping the cancer patients cope up with their condition. Websites for connecting people for mutual exchange of experiences and those suffering from the same conditions have been launched. From those sites, one can gather that extensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments can result in scar tissues which can make sex extremely painful and hence, they cannot fulfill their desires. The countless surgeries and radiation can destroy vaginal tissue and make intercourse impossibly painful. But such websites help to know that there are others going through the same condition and they can be pillars of support for one another. This only goes to show that cancer treatments very much affect intimacy and can the sex life.

Cancer patients suffer from exhaustion and fatigue, issues associated with body image and depression due to cancer, which can be caused by erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, painful intercourse or premature menopause. These may be the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation and such platforms for mutual exchange of experiences would help the victims suffering from invasive surgery, traumatic injuries and birth defects.

This is not the first initiative by patients of such conditions, but there have been many top medical videos and websites like these before - STDsoulmates.com, PositiveSingles.com and DatingWithHerpes.org. There are people out there who face obstacles silently in the sexual intercourse but are embarrassed to talk about it. This cannot go for long because, every one in three Americans go through cancer in their lifetime and the aggressive treatments have an impact on their sexual function, and now, there is an emphasis on the quality of life of cancer survivors and sexual intimacy and cognitive function issues.

The affect on women is that vaginal tissues can result in scar and women can go into premature menopause after radiation and chemotherapy. This can result in vaginal dryness, loss of libido or hot flashes. The symptoms can be treated with non-hormone and hormone therapy. It is advised that one should continue with sexual activity after treatment because non-usage of vagina can close it and stick it and makes it stenotic. Also, a dilator is used to keep the vagina open, as the tissue is very flexible and can stretch itself back in shape.

Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens at the top of the vagina. Find out about cervical cancer and other Medical News from our website.


Original article