pap smear
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
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.