Bra Fitting | Nutrition & Cancer | Breast Cancer | Cervical Cancer
Colorectal Cancer | Ovarian Cancer | Pancreatic Cancer | Prostate Cancer
WHAT IS THE CERVIX?
The Cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that connects the body of the uterus to the vagina or birth canal.
WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER?
Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the cervix and grow out of control. Cervical cancer begins in the lining of the cervix. This can take many years, but sometimes it develops rapidly. These changes to the cervix are referred to by several terms, including dysplasia.
WHAT CAUSES CERVICAL CANCER?
Cervical cancer is caused by several strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This virus is spread through sexual contact. Most women’s bodies are able to fight the HPV, but sometimes the virus could lead to cancer. Women are at higher risk for cervical cancer if they smoke, have many children, use birth control pills for a long time or are victims of the HIV infection.
WHAT ARE THE SYPMTOMS OF CERVICAL CANCER?
Cervical pre-cancers or cancer in its early stages, often exhibit no signs or symptoms. If symptoms do exist they can include:
• Bleeding from the vagina that is not normal or an unexplained change in the menstrual cycle.
• Bleeding and pain when something comes into contact with the cervix, such as during sexual intercourse, or when a diaphragm is inserted.
• Vaginal discharge is tinged with blood.
HOW IS CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTED?
Cervical cancer is preventable as well as a treatable disease if discovered early. The most effective way of making an early diagnosis of abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix is through a Pap test. You can also reduce the risk factors giving rise to abnormal cell changes by:
• Quitting smoking
• HPV vaccine
• Reducing your risk of sexually transmitted diseases (use condoms)
WHEN SHOULD WOMEN BEGIN SCREENING FOR CERVICAL CANCER?
All women should begin cervical cancer testing (screening) from the start of sexual activity or at 18 years. A regular Pap test should be done every year.
Beginning at age 30, women who have 3 normal Pap test results in a row may be tested less often – every 2 to 3 years. Some women should continue getting tested yearly – such as women exposed to DES (Diethylstilbestrol) through their mothers before birth and those with a weakened immune system (from HIV infections, organ transplant, chemotherapy or chronic steroid use).
Women 70 years of age or older who have had 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having cervical cancer testing. Women with a history of cervical cancer, DES (a manmade hormone in the estrogen class) exposure before birth, HIV infection or a weakened immune system should continue to have testing as long as they are in good health.
Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) may also choose to stop having cervical cancer testing, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical cancer or pre-cancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix (simple hysterectomy) need to continue cervical cancer screening, and should continue to follow the guidelines herein.
HOW IS PAP TEST DONE?
The doctor uses a metal or plastic instrument to open the vagina. Then a sample of mucus and cells is lightly scraped from the cervix. This sample is sent to the lab to be looked at under a microscope. If anything unusual is found your doctor will let you know. If your test results are abnormal, your doctor will want to do other tests to find out what is happening.
GUIDELINES FOR MAKING YOUR PAP TEST MORE ACCURATE
You can do several things to make your Pap test as accurate as possible:
• Try not to schedule an appointment for a time during your menstrual period
• Do not douche for 48 hours before the test
• Do not have sexual intercourse for 48 hours before the test
• Do not use tampons, birth control, foams, jellies or other vaginal creases or vaginal medicines for 48 hours before the test
PELVIC EXAM VS PAP TEST
Many people confuse pelvic exams with Pap tests. The pelvic exam is part of a woman’s routine health care. During a pelvic exam, the doctor looks at and feels the reproductive organs, including the uterus and the ovaries and may do tests for sexually transmitted diseases. Pap tests are often done during pelvic exams, but you can have a pelvic exam without having a Pap test. A pelvic exam without a Pap test will not help fund cancer at an early stage or abnormal cells of the cervix, pre-invasive lesions (pre-cancers) of the cervix or even invasive cancer of the cervix.