CERVICAL CANCER

 

(This is the ribbon I found as a support for Cervical Cancer - teal and white.)

We have been made aware and become very conscious of the need for breast screening and mammograms over recent years – and there is still not as much publicity or support for those of our sisters who suffer cervical cancer,

Lots of information is available on line – and I saw in a recent post one of the girls asking for the ribbon she was sending through to be placed on our web sites – unfortunately I lost the email but by doing this article I hope to increase awareness of this disease.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/cervix

Task Force Announces New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) supports new guidelines on cervical cancer screening released today by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The new guidelines, similar to ones published by the American Cancer Society in November, are based on a review of recent research advances in cervical cancer screening and detection and in understanding the course of the disease, including the recently discovered role of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

The premier experts in the field have worked on the guidelines developed by U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society," said Peter Greenwald, M.D., Dr.P.H., director of the Division of Cancer Prevention at NCI. "The key to continued reductions in deaths from cervical cancer is early detection, and these guidelines will help women and their doctors make informed choices about screening."

During 2002, about 4,100 women in the United States died from cervical cancer. This number reflects an estimated 70 percent decline from the mid-20th century, when the Papanicolaou (Pap) test - the collection of cells from the cervix for examination under a microscope - was first introduced as a screening tool. Cervical cancer screening is important to detect significant abnormal cell changes that may arise before cancer develops.

In recent years, researchers have identified HPV, which is transmitted through sex, as the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV infections are very common, however, while cervical cancer is not. Most HPV infections go away without treatment and do not lead to cervical cancer.

The USPSTF guidelines are available at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/cervcan/cervcanrr.htm.

The American Cancer Society guidelines can be found at http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/short/52/6/342.

NCI's summary points for cervical cancer screening follow:

Cervical cancer screening should begin approximately three years after a woman begins having sexual intercourse, but no later than at 21 years old.
 Experts recommend waiting approximately three years following the initiation of sexual activity because transient HPV infections and cervical cell changes that are not significant are common and it takes years for a significant abnormality or cancer to develop. Cervical cancer is extremely rare in women under the age of 25.
Women should have a Pap test at least once every three years.
Women 65 to 70 years of age who have had at least three normal Pap tests and no abnormal Pap tests in the last 10 years may decide, upon consultation with their healthcare provider, to stop cervical cancer screening.
Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) do not need to undergo cervical cancer screening, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical precancer or cancer.
Women should seek expert medical advice about when they should begin screening, how often they should be screened, and when they can discontinue cervical screenings, especially if they are at higher than average risk of cervical cancer due to factors such as HIV infection.

For more information about HPV, please go to http://newscenter.cancer.gov/BenchMarks/archives/2002_04/related_article.html.

For further information about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening, please call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service toll-free at 1-800-4 CANCER.

 

The Pap Test: Questions and Answers

Key Points

· A Pap test and pelvic exam are important parts of a woman's routine health care because they can detect cancer or abnormalities that may lead to cancer of the cervix (see Question 3).

· Women should have a Pap test at least once every 3 years, beginning about 3 years after they begin to have sexual intercourse, but no later than age 21 (see Question 6).

· If the Pap test shows abnormalities, further tests and/or treatment may be necessary (see Question 11).

·Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary risk factor for cervical cancer (see Question 13).

  1. What is a Pap test?

The Pap test (sometimes called a Pap smear) is a way to examine cells collected from the cervix (the lower, narrow end of the uterus). The main purpose of the Pap test is to find abnormal cell changes that may arise from cervical cancer or before cancer develops.

 

2.       What is a pelvic exam?

In a pelvic exam, the uterus, vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum are felt to find any abnormality in their shape or size. During a pelvic exam, an instrument called a speculum is used to widen the vagina so that the upper portion of the vagina and the cervix can be seen.

 

3. Why are a Pap test and pelvic exam important? A Pap test and pelvic exam are important parts of a woman’s routine health care because they can detect abnormalities that may lead to invasive cancer of the cervix. These abnormalities can be treated before cancer develops. Most invasive cancers of the cervix can be prevented if women have Pap tests regularly. Also, as with many types of cancer, cancer of the cervix is more likely to be treated successfully if it is detected early.

 

4.       Who performs a Pap test?

Doctors and other specially trained health care professionals, such as physician assistants, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, may perform Pap tests and pelvic exams. These individuals are often called clinicians.

 

5. How is a Pap test done?

A Pap test is simple, quick, and painless; it can be done in a doctor’s office, a clinic, or a hospital. While a woman lies on an exam table, the clinician inserts a speculum into her vagina to widen it. A sample of cells is taken from the cervix with a wooden scraper and/or a small cervical brush. The specimen (or smear) is placed on a glass slide and preserved with a fixative, or is rinsed in a vial of fixative, and is sent to a laboratory for examination.

 

6. How often should a woman have a Pap test?

Women should talk with their clinician about when and how often they should have a Pap test. Current general guidelines recommend that women have a Pap test at least once every 3 years, beginning about 3 years after they begin to have sexual intercourse, but no later than age 21. Experts recommend waiting about 3 years after the start of sexual activity to avoid overtreatment for common, temporary abnormal changes. It is safe to wait 3 years, because cervical cancer usually develops slowly. Cervical cancer is extremely rare in women under age 25.

Women ages 65 to 70 who have had at least three normal Pap tests and no abnormal Pap tests in the last 10 years may decide, after talking with their clinician, to stop having Pap tests. Women who have had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus and cervix) do not need to have a Pap test, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for precancer or cancer.

 7.When should the Pap test be done?

A woman should have this test when she is not menstruating; the best time is between 10 and 20 days after the first day of the last menstrual period. For about 2 days before a Pap test, she should avoid douching or using vaginal medicines or spermicidal foams, creams, or jellies (except as directed by a physician). These may wash away or hide abnormal cells.

http://www.wcn.org/interior.cfm?diseaseid=3&featureid=1

There is lots of information on the web and lots of organisations who give such wonderful support – please read this article, check out the links and be sure to make that appointment for your Pap Smear.

Mine is booked for Thursday of next week  – if you are troubled – ask a friend to go with you for support – we need to be there for each other  - it isn’t pleasant – but then neither is cancer of the cervix .   Let’s look after each other by encouraging each other to use these preventative measures and if you have any concerns – talk to your Medical Consultant