cervix
Early Detection is the Key to Beating Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is a serious health concern that can affect women of all ages. In some rare cases it has even been diagnosed in female children. However, if it is detected in the very early stages, there is a high chance of a full recovery. The longer the cancer is present without treatment, the easier it is going to be for it to spread to other parts of the body.
Cervical cancer allows the tissues of the cervix to be affected by the cancer cells. The cervix is hollow so the cancer cells are able to grow rapidly there. There are many risk factors that have been identified with this type of cancer. These risks include having lots of children, having many partners for sexual activities, early age of sexual activity, smoking, and an immune system that is weak.
The biggest problem with early detection is that there are often no symptoms for a female with cervical cancer. That is why routine checkups have to be done in order to make sure that the cancer cells aren’t present.
Getting a Pap Smear annually is the best way to stay on top of checking for cervical cancer. If you have a family history of this type of cancer, it is recommended that you have one done every six months. If you have recovered from cervical cancer then you should also be having them done at six month intervals.
A Pap Smear is a very quick and effective way to look for cancer cells in the cervix. A swab of cells is taken from the cervical wall and then checked. If the results are inconclusive then you need to be rechecked. Some women do experience symptoms of cervical cancer. If any of them do occur you need to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
These symptoms include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Discharge from the vagina that is unusual
- Pain in the vaginal area
- Painful intercourse
If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, there are various treatment options. The size of the tumor and the spread of the cancer has to be looked at. For women that want to have children, the treatment can be more difficult. For those women who don’t want to have more children, the removal of the cervix may be what occurs to successfully eliminate the cancer.
All women are at risk of cervical cancer so routine check ups are important. Approximately 12,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. The average woman diagnosed with the condition is over 30 but it can occur at younger ages. You will likely be referred to a specialist in the area of cervical cancer to help you evaluate options and to pursue successful treatment.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/cervical/Patient
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/pdf/Cervical_FS_0510.pdf
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cervical_cancer/page8_em.htm#Medical%20Treatment
There Are Some Surprising Links Between Cervical, Throat, and Skin Cancer
You may be surprised to learn about various links which have been identified about certain cancers. These includes those that affect the cervix, the throat, and the skin. There is evidence to suggest that certain types of viruses can increase a person’s chances of developing any of these types of cancer during their lifetime.
This virus is known as the human papillomavirus due to the fact that it suppresses the overall functionality of the immune system. When this happens, the body is less likely to fight off free radicals that can cause cancerous cells to develop in the body. This can also cause a person to have higher than normal levels of HPV antibodies.
Based on this information, there is an increase in individuals that are getting the HPV vaccination. This is especially true of those that have had these forms of cancer before and won the battle. Many individuals with a family history of cervical, throat, or skin cancer are also encouraged to find out more about such vaccines.
While there have been some tests conducted, they aren’t enough results to give us definitive answers on this particular topic. There are too many variables among those involved with these early studies. For example, many of the subjects were taking immunosuppressant drugs for long periods of time, which could have played a role in their immune system being weakened.
In several of these studies, all of the participants were white in race. This could be a factor that won’t apply to people of other ethnic backgrounds. To find out for sure, a full scale clinical trial will have to be conducted with people from all ethnic groups. There will also have to be a long-term study with some of the participants getting the HPV vaccine and others getting a placebo.
Not everyone is convinced that there is the link between cervical, throat, and skin cancers. They feel it could be a big leap and that it is too early to make a definite statement about it, yet there is certainly plenty to consider here and to follow. The ongoing research in this area is going to take time to develop and for the data to be analyzed. However, there is hope that such information can help to bring us closer to finding a cure in the future for these and other types of cancer.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_100854.html
Sonohysterography Can be a Big Help in Diagnosing Uterine Health Problems
Uterine health problems can be a major concern for many women. They can reduce the overall quality of life if they aren’t examined and then properly diagnosed. Early intervention of uterine cancer can also help with significant treatment for it. The use of sonohysterography is a procedure that is being widely used to help with getting a proper diagnosis.
This process involves a fluid being injected into the uterus through the cervix. Then an ultrasound is conducted that shows the cavity around the uterus. The areas where there is fluid allows for medical professionals to see many details that they may miss if they were to use the ultrasound process alone.
There are many reasons why sonohysterography may be a good idea to consider. Many women have severe bleeding that needs to be evaluated. The most common reason for it to be considered, though, has to do with women that suffer from repeated miscarriages or aren’t able to conceive.
Typically, a normal ultrasound will be conducted first, but if there is nothing found then this procedure may be involved. Some medical professionals opt to do this one first so that the patient isn’t billed for two separate ultrasounds. If you are paying out of pocket then you need to be aware of that and just ask for a sonohysterography to be conducted. Don’t be shy about speaking up when it comes to your health and your expenses relating to such care.
With the use of this type of testing, your doctor may be able to find you have some common issues with your uterus. These include the development of polyps or fibroids. There can be scar tissue that has built up over time due to a miscarriage or other issue. Some women have a different shape than a normal uterus and that can be part of the problem.
In order for the results to be accurate, you shouldn’t get a sonohysterography when you are menstruating. If you are pregnant, then it isn’t a good idea either. If you have an inflamed pelvis then your doctor should postpone this type of testing. You need to urinate before the test is conducted to ensure accuracy.
After the procedure you may experience some light cramping or bleeding. However, you should be able to return to your normal activities when you are done. Should you have any severe cramping, heavy bleeding, or a high fever, you need to contact your doctor immediately.
Not all medical offices are set up to conduct a sonohysterography but they may be able to refer you to an office that does. Most hospitals have the equipment, so you may be asked to schedule an appointment with their lab to get it done. This is a non-invasive procedure that usually takes about 15 minutes to complete.
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp175.cfm
The Importance of a Routine Pap Smear for Women
Getting a pap smear isn’t a pleasant process, but it is something that a woman should be doing annually. This particular check up can help to identify signs that there is something wrong. It could be something minor or the onset of cervical cancer. Many women are embarrassed by the process of a pap smear but keep in mind that the medical staff involved are all professionals.
A pap smear doesn’t hurt and if it does, let your doctor know. That can be a sign of an inflammation of the cervix. During the testing, cells from the cervix will be placed on slide so they can be looked at under a microscope. If you have a family history of cervical cancer, than you should make getting a regular pap smear a priority. Make sure you inform your doctor if you have anyone in your family with such a medical history.
Sometimes a pap smear will come back showing abnormal cells. If that is the case your doctor will ask you to come in for a second test. Based on those results, treatment may have to be looked at. Most of the time, the cells will be fine and there is nothing else that has to be done. The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes but it can help you to be healthier so it is worth the time.
Getting a pap smear is something young girls should be doing if they are sexually active. Talk to your daughters about that and schedule an appointment for them. Make sure they understand what the procedure will be so that they aren’t anxious about it. For many women over 30, it may be fine to get a pap smear only every 3 years. However, this is only true if the results have been satisfactory in the past.
Women that have many sexual partners are at a greater risk of STDs. That can be determined during a pap smear as well. In fact, many women don’t have a clue they have an STD until they do such a test. In the meantime, they may be infecting other men due to taking part in unprotected intercourse.
A woman that has had a hysterectomy no longer needs to have pap smears. However, even older women that no longer take part in sexual activities need to continue getting them. There is always a chance of cancer cells forming or other health problems. They can go unnoticed until they are in advanced stages if the pap smears aren’t being conducted.
With so many women not having health insurance coverage, too often the length of time they between pap smears is very long. If you don’t have insurance, there are various clinics out there that offer sliding scale fees. The goal of these establishments is to make sure women are able to afford taking care of their health. Contact them to find out what they have available.