Cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) affects many women in their reproductive years. It is estimated that in the US, about 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer will occur annually and about 4,000 women will die from the disease. Although the rate of deaths from the disease has fallen in the past decades in the US, it is still one of the leading causes of deaths in women in middle- and low-income countries.
This type of malignancy is often related to HPV (human papilloma virus) infection and both conditions often occur without symptoms.
Taking a regular pap smear test is the best way to screen and diagnose these conditions. In fact, the reason why cervical cancer death rates have declined in the US is the increase in the use of pap test among women in their reproductive years. However, women may ask, "How often do I need a pap test?"
What is a Pap Test?
Pap smear (named after Papanicolaou, the physician who discovered the procedure) is a test used to examine samples of cells taken from a woman’s cervix. The cells, which are smeared on a glass slide are studied by a pathologist to see if there are abnormalities such as infection or malignant (cancerous) changes in the cells.
The pap test is often done as a part of a regular gynecological check-up or as a diagnostic procedure to look for abnormalities in the cervix. It is usually performed by a physician during a pelvic exam with the woman lying on her back and her legs supported by stirrups in a gynecological clinic. The test is painless but some discomfort may be experienced during the pelvic exam when it is done for the first time.
Why is a Pap Test Done?
Cervical cancer affects many adult women in their reproductive years (approximately between 20 to 50 years of age) but it...
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...d to perform a pap test is at best given by a doctor. Although the test has reduced mortality rates due to cervical cancer, it does not a guarantee that the disease may be diagnosed correctly, prevented, or cured. It is also important to note that too frequent screening has disadvantages, such as false positive tests, which can lead to more frequent follow up tests. These can lead to patient anxiety as well as unwanted side effects, such as problems related to future pregnancies and deliveries.
Works Cited
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/detailedguide/cervical-cancer-prevention http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/expertvoices/post/2012/03/14/is-a-pap-test-necessary-every-year.aspx#continue http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/detailedguide/cervical-cancer-key-statistics
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer-topic-overview
The Papanicolaou test in medical terms can also be known as or be called as the Pap smear, pap test, or smear test. It is a microscopic examination of cell .The purpose of this test is to perceive occurring of precancerous or existing cancerous cells in the opening uterus of the cervix. It also discerns asymmetry in the cells of the cervix (the bottom, narrow end of the uterus.)[1]
Most of those people’s tumors developed slowly. In AIDS patients, the cancer can develop very quickly and involve the lungs skin and other organs. In people with AIDS, Kaposi sarcoma is caused by a combination of HIV, a weakened immune system, and the human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). People who have kidney or other organ transplants are also at risk for Kaposi sarcoma. African Kaposi sarcoma is also common in young adult males living near the equator. Additionally, one form is also common in young African
Mirkin, Gabe. "Eva Peron and Cervical Cancer." DrMirkin.com. The Lancet, 3 June 2000. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. .
World wide, it is estimated that cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women with an estimated 530,000 new cases in 2012 representing 7.5% of all female cancer deaths.(Foran et al 2015)
As amniocentesis has become more popular more women opt for the test to ensure that their child is in perfect health. More than 95 percent of the high-risk women who have amniocentesis receive good news from their results. Only about 5 percent will be found to have a baby with a problem. This test is usually offered to those who are found to have a somewhat increased risk of having a baby with a chromosomal or genetic defect.
The Information gathered in 2012 from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies concluded that cervical cancer, “... used to be the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States” (“Cervical Cancer Statistics”). But these statistics have gone down significantly in the past forty years because Planned Parenthood facilities provide to women pap smears to detect cell changes before the cancer develops. On the other hand, Planned Parenthood does not directly provide mammograms for women, their doctors and nurses “... teach patients about breast care, [and] connect patients to resources to help them get mammograms” ("Breast Cancer Screenings"). The important health care work done by the Planned Parenthood Clinics is, at times, over sought and even forgotten when the organization is embroiled in controversy as it finds itself in
Adams, Heather P., and Erica L. Carnright. "HPV Infection And Cervical Cancer Prevention." Clinician Reviews 23.9 (2013): 42-50. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2013
...tion, nearly 80% of cases occur in low-income countries, where cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women. Of course by taking the vaccine one cannot eliminate the cancer since it only targets four strains of HPV but it will surely reduce those numbers greatly, and isn’t this what we want in the end?
...nd can cause a variety of serious health problems if not treated. Health complications that are produced by HPV include genital warts, “cervical cancer” and other serious cancers such vulvar, vaginal, uterine, and ovarian all of which are characteristics of gynecological cancers. Starting with a young target audience will allow young women to be conscious and aware of what can lead to cancer. The saying “one thing leads to another” in this aspect is true, knowing details and what triggers cancer is what all women should to know. Based on the concept of this campaign I have a better understanding of gynecological cancer, the five main types of cancer and the risk factors. Through this campaign I am also able to deliver the message to female family members ensuring every woman in my family are aware of gynecological cancer given through the Inside Knowledge campaign.
They also go on to say, “Two HPV types (16 and 18) cause 70% of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions.” The most common forms of cancer caused by HPV are cervical cancers, anal cancer, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers, and have been seen to cause oropharyngeal cancer (National Cancer Institute). Some are more common than others and they are also less dangerous. Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by HPV. According to the World Health Organization, “In 2008, there were an estimated 529,000 new cases and 274, 00 deaths due to cervical cancer.” HPV is very dangerous and it is something that has to be taken
Women who started menstruation before age 12 and/or go through menopause later in life have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Would you want to know the health of your child before it is born? That is what Prenatal Testing is for. If you don’t know what it is exactly, you’ll learn as you read through this paper. The two types of prenatal testing are prenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis. Both types of testing allow for pregnant women to have a clearer understanding of their child. (Prenatal Diagnosis 2015) New ways of learning about the fetus will most likely become available in the near future because of technology advancing everyday. Even though some people believe miscarriages are a problem with some of the testing that’s done, it’s okay for pregnant women to do prenatal testing to make sure their baby is healthy because there could be possible disorders in the baby, results from the testing can help, and the tests can find cancer in pregnant women.
We concluded that the benefits of regular checkups included early detection of diseases, huge monetary savings and finally, decrease the chance of disruption of personal or family income. It also clear that medical checkup was essential for both men and women. Today, we will discuss the different test and screening for women. In most cases, what test, your doctor recommends will depend on your age, general health condition, and family history among others. Common test and screenings for women include:
Ovarian cancer is a growth of abnormal malignant cells that begins in a woman’s ovaries. Ovarian tumors can be either benign- noncancerous- or malignant- cancerous. Malignant cancerous cells in the ovaries can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream, lymph nodes, or directly to other organs, which are commonly the pelvis and abdomen. Women who are suspected of having ovarian cancer should begin genetic testing immediately after symptoms begin to appear. Whilst there is no reliable early detection tool for women, several tests exist for women who are at a high risk for ovarian cancer. The most common testing for ovarian cancer is blood testing; blood testing has the ability to identify the important signs of hereditary cancers: