Sunday, May 22, 2011

Cervical Cancer: Based on Pap Smears Alone for Cancer Prevention Can Kill You

Although the test usually leads to nothing you do not know the Pap test can significantly over-dependence on sedatives and harmful to health. This, in fact, can kill you. The reasons for this seemingly shocking statement, and other important things that a wise woman should know about cancer prevention are the subject of this article!

We try to understand a very short because short historical detour. The Papanicolaou test, abbreviatedPap test is a test, which scrapes cells from the cervix with a small spatula and brush. These cells are then scraped examined under a microscope to look for precancerous cells or unusual. The Pap test is about 50 years and was a big step forward in the prevention of cervical cancer. Even today, when almost 50% of cervical cancer in the United States, among women who have never scans states and 60% of women will develop in at least 5 have not been screenedYears, was a popular topic that periodic review of all women were the incidence of cervical cancer and possibly eliminate further reduction. And 'certainly true that each type of screening is better than no screening at all.

But unfortunately, even if Pap test is readily available, this can not the results. In one example, cancer screening was performed in 63% of women under 45 died in a cervical cancerScotland from 1982 to 1991. Other reports claimed that up to 20% of women with severe or invasive carcinoma of the neck cancer had a normal Pap test in the previous year. So it seems that the standard Pap test may not be sufficient to prevent cervical cancer. Many women present with symptoms and up to half have been recently demonstrated with a minimum standard of Pap screening.

The bottom line is that, despite its important contribution to cervical cancerPrevention, we now know that the conventional Pap smear has dangerous borders. With biopsy as the best gold standard available, the ability of the Pap test for the collection of cancer and early cancer can be as low as 20% to 30%. In other words, can lose up to 80% of pre-cancerous changes, if you will rely on the Pap test alone. Alone is just an afternoon or a technology of last century.

By the way, if you have any symptoms such as abnormal bleedingBleeding between periods or bleeding after intercourse, call your doctor immediately. You need a biopsy for evaluation and possible, not Pap tests or other screening tests. Screening is the search for diseases in the absence of defined symptoms. If you have symptoms, it is on this point. While abnormal bleeding is usually because of the many possible benign benign reasons, you owe it to themselves for a full evaluation.

It 'clearly very important when abnormalities of the cervixare still pre-cancerous. When the abnormal cells from the cervix by a Pap test are scraped off and discovered the microscope, it usually means that a pre-cancerous dysplasia or area on the cervix. In some cases it can cause cancer at an early stage of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer rarely spread directly from a normal range. Instead, it has developed over time, usually years. More and more abnormal cells, and finally begin to grow more deeply attached or normal cervicalTissue. When cells enter them, are non-cancerous and pre-invasive carcinoma is now available.

If the first or invasive cancer is found, these lesions are not a threat to life and are usually treatable with minimally invasive therapies. In other words, hysterectomy and more drastic treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy can be avoided.

critical opinion: Now we know that there is a sexually transmitted virus called HPV or humanPapilloma virus, cancer is largely responsible for almost all cervical cancers, and we have a simple painless test for this! It is not perfect, but it's pretty accurate.

HPV is actually quite common, and most have been (up to 75% or three out of four) women who are sexually active probably infected at some point in their lives.

There are two types of HPV: low risk and high risk. There are several subtypes of each category, but the important thing to remember is that aPersistent infection by high risk HPV will bring a greater risk of developing a precancerous condition or cancer of the cervix. The good news is that relatively low-risk HPV rarely causes cancer, although there are still problems always cause cervical, vulvar or vaginal as warts, which can be transmitted sexually and are difficult to treat. The most positive news is that most HPV infections are transient. In other words, they go on their own, usually within nine months to one year.Since this is a sexually transmitted virus, you can re-infected by contact with an infected partner or a promiscuous lifestyle. Thus, especially if you like an active sexuality, this is extremely important.

The bad news is that persistent infection with high-risk HPV is the most important factor is a condition that can develop cervical cancer. Remember that not everyone with a persistent HPV infection, cervical cancer develops. In fact,Most women do not develop cancer or cancer. However, the greatest risk and should put a big red flag over carefully with your doctor to follow. If you are diagnosed and effective treatment for pre-cancer or cancer of the cervix in the past, this relative is proof that you had a persistent HPV infection and therefore are more likely to have a disease, an infection of the applicant and / o.

The second bad news is that there iscurrently approved for the treatment of high-risk HPV infections. However, since that usually go away spontaneously in these bad news is not all that bad for most women. In addition to a commercially available vaccine was made available. The ideal time for vaccination is before sexual activity begins, such as aged between 8 and 13 is ideal. But even if it is incomplete agreement on what is, women can benefit from the vaccine to 26 years.

Women who are infected with HIV or immunologicallydeleted due to other diseases or drugs are less likely to get its HPV infection have been spontaneously. Therefore, they are reduced with a higher risk of pre-cancer or cancer of the cervix.

The HPV virus is sexually transmitted, as mentioned above. in contact with the genitals in any way. But the length of time variable, if necessary, for the infection spontaneously clear the infection does not mean that your partner has been unfaithful. L 'Viruses can live on inanimate objects for a short period, contact with sex toys or other forms of indirect contact can be sexually transmitted.

As connected with anything else, is an advantage and a risk with the HPV test is. The main advantage is a relief. If HPV is negative, the risk of dysplasia or cancer is extremely low. The second major advantage is convenience, since the screening interval may be increased to three years instead of annual visits.However, just for completeness, there are other reasons for a physician on an annual basis will also take care of women. The main risks of the HPV test is the fear and psychological stress of knowledge about HPV infection and wonder how did one, infection, since it is primarily a sexually transmitted virus linked.

Critical Opinion: Attention! If you have an early pre-cancer can be cut away from yourself under medical supervision. Over-treatment is possibleand can lead to scarring, pain and infertility. Of course, the treatment of HPV (ie, absence of abnormal cells detected) by surgical means (including cutting, burning and freezing) is not effective and may cause more harm than good. Discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor. If you agree with the answers are not satisfied, get a second opinion!

Critical opinion: condoms do not prevent male-female sexual transmission of HPV. The reason isthat the virus can live on the scrotum of your sexual partners. The Anti-spermicide nonoxynol-9 not effective against HPV.

critical opinion: As far as other gynecologic cancers are concerned, has been the Pap test will never be designed or promoted to them for display. Period. End of story! Let no one say the opposite. The HPV test is only intended to be a screening tool for cervical cancer. technologies for screening for cancer of the ovary and uterus areunder development, but are currently insufficient.

Thus, cervical screening test (s) what you ask for?

The following information is based American Cancer Society, but also my review of the literature and practical experience to the recommendations. In all cases, this means that these recommendations be aggressive, as are adequate to achieve an optimal outcome of prevention. The truth is that what you need is something individualand depends on age and personal medical history. There is no single cookie-cutter answer for every woman, and you should discuss the details with your doctor.

You can get most often referred to as offer the following recommendations, but there is no added benefit to medical examinations very wide. It may hurt some. Why? Because screening is not for cervical cancer. Rather, it is pre-cancer. For this reason, it is usually built-in for yearsdifferences do not change from pre-cancer, cancer, o. Remember that some of these pre-cancerous changes to go away by themselves. Thus, an excess of screening and treatment do more harm than good. This is quite different recommendations for breast cancer screening, where the goal of annual mammography, the cancer early cancer not seen before. In this situation, the first detection and the faster the treatment, the better theResults. Breast cancer will not go away on its own initiative. So you see, there is a big difference, depending on what you need for screening or trying to prevent.

If you are under 30 years:


You should have the first screening test for about 3 years after the first sexual contact, whether vaginal penetration occurred, or 21 years
You should have a Pap test every 3 years while you are under 30
If the Pap test result shows atypicalCells of undetermined significance, also known as ASC-US, tests should be done at high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) will be made
If you are aged between 30 and 65: both a Pap and HPV test should be all 3 yearsIf older than 65 years: routine screening is not recommended if you have proper screening and the final Pap test and / or HPV testingIf who had a total hysterectomy or total (ie, the cervix is ​​removed):


Ifhysterectomy for benign reasons was made, is not recommended for vaginal screening
If the hysterectomy was performed for precancerous findings and three other screening tests for follow-Pap, before stopping further operation to be performed.
If the vaginal hysterectomy was done for screening for cervical cancer, the timing and frequency of visits and follow-up gynecologic oncologist is individual and should be decided jointly with you.
If youwere the precursors of cervical cancer and was treated not removed:

Pap and HPV testing should be performed 6 months after treatment and after 2 years is repeated. If normal senescence after these two screenings, routine screening as discussed above can be resumed. If you have HIV or other immune suppressed by disease or drugs: Annual screening with the Pap and HPV tests are carried out.
What happens after an abnormal Pap or HPV test?

If the Pap is ASC-US and HPV-negative:


Repeat after two years
If normal at this point you can re-age-dependent routine screening as described above.
If the Pap test is normal, but HPV-positive:
Repeated every year for two years
Is it normal, after these two ideas, you can always count on routine screening of age as described above.
A further visual examination called a colposcopy and biopsy is possible / is recommended if:
Pap test shows cellsworse than ASC-US
Pap test showing ASC-US and HPV-positive and
The HPV test is positive and the Pap test was repeated and remained normal. There is some controversy in this situation, consult with experts enhances the visual analysis before others. In many cases, is not found, but the added security of a visual examination and biopsy can be advantageous. In these situations it is best to take all the risks and benefits in detail, contactDoctor.

Summary recommendations:


Get screened
Get a combination of Pap and HPV testing using the guidelines above
Report abnormal discharge or symptoms of bleeding with your doctor early, and insist that a statement is given
Do not think that the Pap test, HPV testing and routine testing reliably prevent pool that other types of cancer
All of the above information to you in making informed decisions about screening, prevention and support yourHealth. It is not meant to replace your existing relationship between doctor and patient, as well as any health situation is different. If you do not have a doctor with whom to discuss these issues, get one! Your continued health depends on it!

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