The document provides information about various types of cancer screening tests for women. It discusses screening for breast cancer via mammogram, clinical breast exam, and breast self-exam. It also discusses screening for cervical cancer via Pap test and sometimes HPV test, as well as screening guidelines. The document notes there is no reliable screening for ovarian, uterine, vaginal or vulvar cancers but discusses risk factors and symptoms to watch for.
early detection helps ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The Papanicolaou test (also called Pap smear, Pap test, cervical smear, or smear test) is a screening test used in gynecology to detect premalignant and malignant (cancerous) processes in the ectocervix. http://docturs.com/dd/pg/groups/2392/cervical-smear-test-pap-test/
The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder
that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is common among older men. It is
rare in men younger than 40. Risk factors for developing prostate cancer
include being over 65 years of age, family history, being African-American, and
some genetic changes.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
-- Problems passing urine, such as pain,
difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling
-- Low back pain
-- Pain with ejaculation
Your doctor will diagnose prostate cancer
by feeling the prostate through the wall of the rectum or doing a blood test
for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Other tests include ultrasound, x-rays, or
a biopsy.
Treatment often depends on the stage of the
cancer. How fast the cancer grows and how different it is from surrounding
tissue helps determine the stage. Men with prostate cancer have many treatment
options. The treatment that's best for one man may not be best for another. The
options include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy,
and chemotherapy. You may have a combination of treatments.
„Jak jej to powiedzieć?” to projekt edukacyjny, realizowany przez markę Rexona, którego celem było zwrócenie uwagi na wstydliwy problem pocenia się i społeczne tabu z nim związane. W trakcie kampanii pokazano i uświadomiono Polkom, jak ważna jest codzienna higiena.
Do tej pory w Polsce nie prowadzono tak szeroko zakrojonej komunikacji w tym zakresie. Kampania Jak jej to powiedzieć wywołała bardzo burzliwą dyskusję nie tylko w mediach, ale również wśród Polek. Projekt wzbudził wiele kontrowersji i cieszył się bardzo dużym zainteresowaniem mediów – łącznie pojawiło się około 440 publikacji w mediach, a liczba impresji w prasie wyniosła ok. 35 000 000. Jednocześnie akcja wywołała na forach internetowych bardzo szeroką dyskusję wśród użytkowników, którzy zostawili ok. 2 500 komentarzy.
early detection helps ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
The Papanicolaou test (also called Pap smear, Pap test, cervical smear, or smear test) is a screening test used in gynecology to detect premalignant and malignant (cancerous) processes in the ectocervix. http://docturs.com/dd/pg/groups/2392/cervical-smear-test-pap-test/
The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder
that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is common among older men. It is
rare in men younger than 40. Risk factors for developing prostate cancer
include being over 65 years of age, family history, being African-American, and
some genetic changes.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
-- Problems passing urine, such as pain,
difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling
-- Low back pain
-- Pain with ejaculation
Your doctor will diagnose prostate cancer
by feeling the prostate through the wall of the rectum or doing a blood test
for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Other tests include ultrasound, x-rays, or
a biopsy.
Treatment often depends on the stage of the
cancer. How fast the cancer grows and how different it is from surrounding
tissue helps determine the stage. Men with prostate cancer have many treatment
options. The treatment that's best for one man may not be best for another. The
options include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy,
and chemotherapy. You may have a combination of treatments.
„Jak jej to powiedzieć?” to projekt edukacyjny, realizowany przez markę Rexona, którego celem było zwrócenie uwagi na wstydliwy problem pocenia się i społeczne tabu z nim związane. W trakcie kampanii pokazano i uświadomiono Polkom, jak ważna jest codzienna higiena.
Do tej pory w Polsce nie prowadzono tak szeroko zakrojonej komunikacji w tym zakresie. Kampania Jak jej to powiedzieć wywołała bardzo burzliwą dyskusję nie tylko w mediach, ale również wśród Polek. Projekt wzbudził wiele kontrowersji i cieszył się bardzo dużym zainteresowaniem mediów – łącznie pojawiło się około 440 publikacji w mediach, a liczba impresji w prasie wyniosła ok. 35 000 000. Jednocześnie akcja wywołała na forach internetowych bardzo szeroką dyskusję wśród użytkowników, którzy zostawili ok. 2 500 komentarzy.
A balance disorder is a condition that makes you feel unsteady or dizzy, as if you are moving, spinning, or floating, even though you are standing still or lying down. Balance disorders can be caused by certain health conditions, medications, or a problem in the inner ear or the brain.
Cancer strikes people of all ages, but you are more likely to get cancer as you get older, even if no one in your family has ever had cancer. The good news is that cases of cancer and death rates are going down. That means that no matter what your age, the chances of surviving cancer are better today than ever before.
Global Medical Cures™ | COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING SAVES LIVES
DISCLAIMER-
Global Medical Cures™ does not offer any medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or recommendations. Only your healthcare provider/physician can offer you information and recommendations for you to decide about your healthcare choices.
Routine Pap smears (also known as Pap tests) are an important part of protecting your health because they can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early. But learning your results are abnormal can cause some anxiety, and you may find yourself wondering what comes next. Join Dr. Sarah Feldman, a gynecologic oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, as she breaks down what abnormal results mean, what happens after, and why it’s important to follow up on an abnormal Pap smear.
Global Medical Cures™ | COLORECTAL CANCER TESTS SAVE LIVES
DISCLAIMER-
Global Medical Cures™ does not offer any medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or recommendations. Only your healthcare provider/physician can offer you information and recommendations for you to decide about your healthcare choices.
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later.
When cancer starts in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus. The cervix connects the vagina (birth canal) to the upper part of the uterus. The uterus (or womb) is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant.
Cervical cancer is highly preventable in most Western countries because screening tests and a vaccine to prevent HPV infections are available. When cervical cancer is found early, it is highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life.
CDC
Things You Need to Know About Cervical Health Awareness MonthDr. Martha Tara Lee
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. ❤️
We think it’s important to share information about how one can protect themselves from HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer.
HPV is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity, and it causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.
✔️ Get vaccinated against HPV.
The most common form of the vaccine protects against two types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers: types 16 and 18. The vaccine also protects against four other high-risk types (6, 11, 16, and 18).
✔️ Talk with your doctor or nurse about the HPV vaccine.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for those aged 11-12. It is given in three doses over six months. The vaccine protects against most types of HPV that cause both cervical cancer and genital warts. It’s safe and effective when given at the recommended age.
👉 Early detection is key to preventing cervical cancer.
We hope this post has given you a better understanding of what cervical health awareness month is, why it’s important, and how to take control of your own health. The more informed we are, the more we can do for ourselves. And remember: don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Created by Relationship Counselor and Clinical Sexologist Dr Martha Tara Lee of Eros Coaching. Hire her at http://www.ErosCoachig.com
Overweight and obesity are both labels
for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally
considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges
of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain
diseases and other health problems.
Corneal injury describes an injury to the
cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue covering the front
of the eye. It works with the lens of the eye to focus images on the retina.
Have you ever had
the "stomach flu?" What you probably had was gastroenteritis - not a
type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the
intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is
the second most common illness in the U.S. It spreads through contaminated food
or water, and contact with an infected person. The best prevention is frequent
hand washing.
Symptoms of
gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever
and chills. Most people recover with no treatment.
The most common
problem with gastroenteritis is dehydration. This happens if you do not drink
enough fluids to replace what you lose through vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration
is most common in babies, young children, the elderly and people with weak
immune systems.
Drug addiction is a complex illness characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with compulsive drug seeking and use that persist even in the face of devastating consequences. While the path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs, over time a person's ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised, and seeking and consuming the drug becomes compulsive. This behavior results largely from the effects of prolonged drug exposure on brain functioning. Addiction is a brain disease that affects multiple brain circuits, including those involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and inhibitory control over behavior.
Because drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions and disrupt so many aspects of an individual's life, treatment is not simple. Effective treatment programs typically incorporate many components, each directed to a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences. Addiction treatment must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a drug-free lifestyle, and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work, and in society. Because addiction is typically a chronic disease, people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and be cured. Most patients require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of their lives.
Too often, addiction goes untreated: According to SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 23.2 million persons (9.4 percent of the U.S. population) aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2007. Of these individuals, 2.4 million (10.4 percent of those who needed treatment) received treatment at a specialty facility (i.e., hospital, drug or alcohol rehabilitation or mental health center). Thus, 20.8 million persons (8.4 percent of the population aged 12 or older) needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem but did not receive it. These estimates are similar to those in previous years.
Addiction results when a person ingests a
substance (alcohol, cocaine, or nicotine, for example) or repeatedly takes part
in an activity (gambling) that can be pleasurable, but the continued use of
which becomes compulsive and interferes with everyday life.
Common addictions include:
-- Alcohol abuse
-- Drug abuse
-- Exercise abuse
-- Pornography
-- Gambling
Classic symptoms of addiction include
impaired control over substances/behavior, preoccupation with
substance/behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial. Behavior
patterns and habits associated with addiction are commonly characterized by the
pursuit of immediate gratification, coupled with negative long-term effects.
Physiological dependence results when the
body is unable to function normally in the absence of the substance or
behavior. This state produces the conditions of tolerance and withdrawl.
Tolerance is the result of the body
requiring larger volumes of the substance or stimulus in order to achieve the
original effects.
Withdrawal is the physical and
psychological symptoms experienced when the body no longer receives the
substance in the same quantities it has become reliant upon.
When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying
warm and safe can become a challenge. Extremely cold temperatures
often accompany a winter storm, so you may have to cope with power failures and icy roads. Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face indoor hazards.
Many homes will be too cold—either due to a power failure or because the heating system isn't adequate for the weather. When people must use space heaters and fireplaces to stay warm, the risk of household fires increases, as well as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause other serious or life-threatening health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. To keep yourself and your family safe, you should know how to prevent cold-related health problems and what to do if a cold-weather health emergency arises. The emergency procedures outlined here are not a substitute for training in first aid. However, these procedures will help you to know when to seek medical care and what to do until help becomes available.
Maintaining a healthy office environment requires attention to chemical hazards, equipment and work station design, physical environment (temperature, humidity, light, noise, ventilation, and space), task design, psychological factors (personal interactions, work pace, job control) and sometimes, chemical or other environmental exposures.
A well-designed office allows each employee to work comfortably without needing to over-reach, sit or stand too long, or use awkward postures (correct ergonomic design). Sometimes, equipment or furniture changes are the best solution to allow employees to work comfortably. On other occasions, the equipment may be satisfactory but the task could be redesigned. For example, studies have shown that those working at computers have less discomfort with short, hourly breaks.
Situations in offices that can lead to injury or illness range from physical hazards (such as cords across walkways, leaving low drawers open, objects falling from overhead) to task-related (speed or repetition, duration, job control, etc.), environmental (chemical or biological sources) or design-related hazards (such as nonadjustable furniture or equipment). Job stress that results when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities or resources of the worker may also result in illness.
When quitting smoking many people feel the need
for help in the form of a tobacco substitute. There are a wide variety of
different products billed as alternatives to smoking that are supposedly healthier.
The main additive in cigarettes that makes them so addictive is
nicotine. Hence most of the products that aim to replace smoking are nicotine
replacements such as nicotine gum, inhalers, patches and medications.
Other products are sold as smokeless tobacco such as snuff and hookah or as better because they are low yield cigarettes. Not all of these smoking substitutes are
healthy or even better than cigarettes.
Tobacco use can lead to nicotine dependence and serious health problems. Cessation can significantly reduce the risk of suffering from smoking-related diseases. Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that often requires repeated interventions, but effective treatments and helpful resources exist. Smokers can and do quit smoking. In fact, today there are more former smokers than current smokers.
Small changes can make a big difference in reducing your chances of having alcohol-related problems. Whatever strategies you choose, give them a fair trial. If one approach doesn't work, try something else. But if you haven't made progress in cutting down after 2 to 3 months, consider quitting drinking altogether, seeking professional help, or both.
Here are some strategies to try, and you can add your own at the end. Check off perhaps two or three to try in the next week or two. Then click List my choices, and you can print or email them to yourself.
-- Keep track -Keep track of how much you drink. Find a way that works for you, carry drinking tracker cards in your wallet, make check marks on a kitchen calendar, or enter notes in a mobile phone notepad or personal digital assistant. Making note of each drink before you drink it may help you slow down when needed.
-- Count and measure -Know the standard drink sizes so you can count your drinks accurately. Measure drinks at home. Away from home, it can be hard to keep track, especially with mixed drinks, and at times, you may be getting more alcohol than you think. With wine, you may need to ask the host or server not to "top off" a partially filled glass.
-- Set goals -Decide how many days a week you want to drink and how many drinks you'll have on those days. It's a good idea to have some days when you don't drink. Drinkers with the lowest rates of alcohol use disorders stay within the low-risk limits.
-- Pace and space -When you do drink, pace yourself. Sip slowly. Have no more than one standard drink with alcohol per hour. Have "drink spacers"—make every other drink a non-alcoholic one, such as water, soda, or juice.
-- Include food -Don't drink on an empty stomach. Eat some food so the alcohol will be absorbed into your system more slowly.
-- Find alternatives -If drinking has occupied a lot of your time, then fill free time by developing new, healthy activities, hobbies, and relationships, or renewing ones you've missed. If you have counted on alcohol to be more comfortable in social situations, manage moods, or cope with problems, then seek other, healthy ways to deal with those areas of your life.
-- Avoid "triggers." -What triggers your urge to drink? If certain people or places make you drink even when you don't want to, try to avoid them. If certain activities, times of day, or feelings trigger the urge, plan something else to do instead of drinking. If drinking at home is a problem, keep little or no alcohol there.
-- Plan to handle urges -When you cannot avoid a trigger and an urge hits, consider these options: Remind yourself of your reasons for changing (it can help to carry them in writing or store them in an electronic message you can access easily). Or talk things through with someone you trust. Or get involved with a healthy, distracting activity, such as physical exercise or a hobby that doesn't involve drinking. Or, instead of fighting the feeling, accept i
Don't give up
Changing habits such as smoking, overeating, or drinking too much can take a lot of effort, and you may not succeed with the first try. Setbacks are common, but you learn more each time. Each try brings you closer to your goal. Whatever course you choose, give it a fair trial.
If one approach doesn't work, try something else. If a setback happens, get back on track as quickly as possible. In the long run, your chances for success are good.
Research shows that most heavy drinkers, even those with alcoholism, either cut back significantly or quit.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a set of symptoms that people who have a history of alcoholism experience when they stop drinking. People who are casual drinkers rarely have withdrawal symptoms.
People who have gone through withdrawal before are more likely to have withdrawal symptoms each time they quit drinking.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from severe to mild, and can include:
-- Insomnia
-- Nightmares
-- Irritability
-- Fatigue
-- Shakes
-- Sweats
-- Anxiety
-- Depression
-- Headaches
-- Decreased appetite
Severe withdrawal symptoms include fever, convulsions and delirium tremens (DTs). Those who experience DTs may become confused, anxious and even have hallucinations. DTs can be very serious if they are not treated by a doctor.
Eat healthy
-- Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day.
-- Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
-- Eat a balanced diet to help keep a healthy weight.
--
Learn the Facts
When you get a preventive medical test,
you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and
loved ones:
-- Men are 24 percent less likely than women
to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to
have neglected their cholesterol tests.
-- Men are 28 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
-- Men are 32 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than
twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications
related to diabetes.
-- Men are 24 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an
immunization.
The single most important way you can take
care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health
care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your
doctor. This site will help you get started.
Learn the Facts
When you get a preventive medical test, you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and loved ones:
-- Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
-- Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
-- Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
-- Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
When you get a preventive medical test, you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and loved ones:
Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
Injury is the #1 killer of children and teens in the United States. In 2009, more than 9,000 youth age 0-19 died from unintentional injuries in the United States. Millions more children suffer injuries requiring treatment in the emergency department. Leading causes of child injury include motor vehicle crashes, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, fires, and falls.1 Child injury is predictable and preventable. It is also among the most under-recognized public health problems facing our country today.
Progress has been made in preventing child injury. Child injury death rates have decreased 29% in the last decade.2 Yet injury is still the leading cause of death for children and teens. More can be done to keep our children safe.
Shiatsu is a physical therapy that supports
and strengthens the body’s natural ability to heal and balance itself. It works
on the whole person - not just a physical body, but also a psychological,
emotional and spiritual being.
Shiatsu originated in Japan from traditional
Chinese medicine, with influences from more recent Western therapies. Although
shiatsu means ‘finger pressure’ in Japanese, in practise a practitioner uses
touch, comfortable pressure and manipulative techniques to adjust the body’s
physical structure and balance its energy flow. It is a deeply relaxing
experience and regular treatments can alleviate stress and illness and maintain
health and well-being.
An herb is a plant or plant part used for
its scent, flavor or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicine products are dietary supplements that
people take to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time
for claimed health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas,
extracts and fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems,
some are not effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
2. 1
Overview
Cancer screening is an essential part of
preventative health screening for women of all
ages. Here you can read about screening for breast
and gynecological cancers.
3. 2
Breast Cancer
In the United States in 2008,* 210,203 women
were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 40,589
women died from the disease.† Except for skin
cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer
among American women. CDC supports breast
cancer surveillance and research, and provides free
or low-cost mammograms to underserved women.
4. 3
Breast Cancer
**Kinds of Screening Tests**
Breast cancer screening means checking a
woman's breasts for cancer before there are signs
or symptoms of the disease. Three main tests are
used to screen the breasts for cancer. Talk to your
doctor about which tests are right for you, and
when you should have them.
5. 4
Breast Cancer
**Kinds of Screening Tests**
-- Mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of the
breast. Mammograms are the best method to
detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat
and before it is big enough to feel or cause
symptoms. Having regular mammograms can
lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you
are age 50 to 74 years, be sure to have a screening
mammogram every two years. If you are age 40–
49 years, talk to your doctor about when and how
often you should have a screening mammogram.
6. 5
Breast Cancer
**Kinds of Screening Tests**
-- Clinical breast exam. A clinical breast exam is an
examination by a doctor or nurse, who uses his or
her hands to feel for lumps or other changes.1
-- Breast self-exam. A breast self-exam is when you
check your own breasts for lumps, changes in size
or shape of the breast, or any other changes in the
breasts or underarm (armpit).
7. 6
Breast Cancer
**Kinds of Screening Tests**
-- Which tests to choose: Having a clinical breast
exam or a breast self-exam have not been found to
decrease risk of dying from breast cancer.2 Keep in
mind that, at this time, the best way to find breast
cancer is with a mammogram. If you choose to
have clinical breast exams and to perform breast
self-exams, be sure you also get regular
mammograms.
**Where Can I Go to Get Screened?**
8. 7
Breast Cancer
**Kinds of Screening Tests**
Most likely, you can get screened for breast cancer
at a clinic, hospital, or doctor's office. If you want
to be screened for breast cancer, call your doctor's
office. They can help you schedule an
appointment. Most health insurance companies
pay for the cost of breast cancer screening tests.
9. 8
Breast Cancer
**Kinds of Screening Tests**
Are you worried about the cost? The National
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
Program (NBCCEDP) offers free or low-cost
mammograms and education about breast cancer.
Find out if you qualify.
10. 9
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to
prevent, with regular screening tests and follow-
up. Two screening tests can help prevent cervical
cancer or find it early—
-- The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers,
cell changes on the cervix that might become
cervical cancer if they are not treated
appropriately.
11. 10
Cervical Cancer
-- The HPV test looks for the virus (human
papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes.
12. 11
Cervical Cancer
The Pap test is recommended for all women, and
can be done in a doctor's office or clinic. During
the Pap test, the doctor will use a plastic or metal
instrument, called a speculum, to widen your
vagina. This helps the doctor examine the vagina
and the cervix, and collect a few cells and mucus
from the cervix and the area around it. The cells
are then placed on a slide or in a bottle of liquid
and sent to a laboratory. The laboratory will check
to be sure that the cells are normal.
13. 12
Cervical Cancer
If you are getting the HPV test in addition to the
Pap test, the cells collected during the Pap test will
be tested for HPV at the laboratory. Talk with your
doctor, nurse, or other health care professional
about whether the HPV test is right for you.
14. 13
Cervical Cancer
When you have a Pap test, the doctor may also
perform a pelvic exam, checking your uterus,
ovaries, and other organs to make sure there are
no problems. There are times when your doctor
may perform a pelvic exam without giving you a
Pap test. Ask your doctor which tests you are
having, if you are unsure.
15. 14
Cervical Cancer
If you have a low income or do not have health
insurance, you may be able to get a free or low-
cost Pap test through the National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Find out
if you qualify.
**When to Get Screened**
16. 15
Cervical Cancer
You should start getting regular Pap tests at age 21.
The Pap test, which screens for cervical cancer, is
one of the most reliable and effective cancer
screening tests available.
17. 16
Cervical Cancer
The only cancer for which the Pap test screens is
cervical cancer. It does not screen for ovarian,
uterine, vaginal, or vulvar cancers. So even if you
have a Pap test regularly, if you notice any signs or
symptoms that are unusual for you, see a doctor to
find out why you're having them. If your Pap test
results are normal, your doctor may tell you that
you can wait three years until your next Pap test.
18. 17
Cervical Cancer
If you are aged 30 years or older, you may choose
to have an HPV test along with the Pap test. Both
tests can be performed by your doctor at the same
time. When both tests are performed together, it is
called co-testing. If your test results are normal,
your chance of getting cervical cancer in the next
few years is very low. Your doctor may then tell
you that you can wait as long as five years for your
next screening. But you should still go to the
doctor regularly for a checkup.
19. 18
Cervical Cancer
If you are 21–65 years old, it is important for you
to continue getting a Pap test as directed by your
doctor—even if you think you are too old to have a
child or are not having sex anymore. However, if
you are older than 65 and have had normal Pap
test results for several years, or if you have had
your cervix removed as part of a total
hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like
fibroids, your doctor may tell you that you do not
need to have a Pap test anymore.
20. 19
Cervical Cancer
For more information, please read the U.S.
Preventive Services Task Force overview of cervical
cancer screening recommendations.
**How to Prepare for Your Pap Test**
You should not schedule your Pap test for a time
when you are having your period. If you are going
to have a Pap test in the next two days—
21. 20
Cervical Cancer
-- You should not douche (rinse the vagina with
water or another fluid).
-- You should not use a tampon.
-- You should not have sex.
-- You should not use a birth control foam, cream,
or jelly.
23. 22
Cervical Cancer
It can take up to three weeks to receive your Pap
test results. If your test shows that something
might not be normal, your doctor will contact you
and figure out how best to follow up. There are
many reasons why Pap test results might not be
normal. It usually does not mean you have cancer.
24. 23
Cervical Cancer
If your Pap test results show cells that are not
normal and may become cancer, your doctor will
let you know if you need to be treated. In most
cases, treatment prevents cervical cancer from
developing. It is important to follow up with your
doctor right away to learn more about your test
results and receive any treatment that may be
needed.
**Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines**
25. 24
Cervical Cancer
The Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
chart [PDF-62KB] compares recommendations
from theAmerican Cancer Society, U.S. Preventive
Services Task Force, and the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists regarding—
-- When to start screening.
-- Screening methods and intervals.
26. 25
Cervical Cancer
-- When to stop screening.
-- Screening after a total hysterectomy.
-- Pelvic exams.
-- Screening among women who have been
vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV).
27. 26
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
There is no way to know for sure if you will get
ovarian cancer. Most women get it without being
at high risk. However, several factors may increase
a woman’s risk for ovarian cancer, including if
you—
-- Are middle-aged or older.
28. 27
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Have close family members (such as your
mother, sister, aunt, or grandmother) on either
your mother's or your father's side, who have had
ovarian cancer.
-- Have a genetic mutation (abnormality) called
BRCA1 or BRCA2.
-- Have had breast, uterine, or colorectal (colon)
cancer.
29. 28
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Have an Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish
background.
-- Have never given birth or have had trouble
getting pregnant.
-- Have endometriosis (a condition where tissue
from the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in
the body).
30. 29
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
In addition, some studies suggest that women who
take estrogen by itself (without progesterone) for
10 or more years may have an increased risk of
ovarian cancer.
If one or more of these factors is true for you, it
does not mean you will get ovarian cancer. But you
should speak with your doctor about your risk.
31. 30
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
There is no simple and reliable way to screen for
ovarian cancer in women who do not have any
signs or symptoms.
**Cancer Screening**
32. 31
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
Screening is when a test is used to look for a
disease before there are any symptoms. Cancer
screening tests are effective when they can detect
disease early. Detecting disease early can lead to
more effective treatment. Diagnostic tests are used
when a person has symptoms. The purpose of
diagnostic tests is to find out, or diagnose, what is
causing the symptoms. Diagnostic tests also may
be used to check a person who is considered at
high risk for cancer.
33. 32
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
The Pap test does not check for ovarian cancer. The
only cancer the Pap test screens for is cervical
cancer. Since there is no simple and reliable way to
screen for any gynecologic cancers except for
cervical cancer, it is especially important to
recognize warning signs, and learn what you can
do to reduce your risk.
Here is what you can do—
34. 33
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Pay attention to your body, and know what is
normal for you.
-- If you notice any changes in your body that are
not normal for you and could be a sign of ovarian
cancer, talk to your doctor about them and ask
about possible causes, such as ovarian cancer.
35. 34
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Ask your doctor if you should have a test, such as
a rectovaginal pelvic exam, a transvaginal
ultrasound, or a CA-125 blood test if—
-- You have any unexplained signs or symptoms of
ovarian cancer. These tests sometimes help find or
rule out ovarian cancer.
36. 35
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- You have had breast, uterine, or colorectal
cancer; or if a close relative has had ovarian cancer.
**Prevention**
There is no known way to prevent ovarian cancer.
But these things may lower your chance of getting
ovarian cancer—
37. 36
Ovarian Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Having used birth control pills for more than five
years.
-- Having had a tubal ligation (getting your tubes
tied), both ovaries removed, or a hysterectomy (an
operation in which the uterus, and sometimes the
cervix, is removed).
-- Having given birth.
38. 37
Uterine Cancer
**Risk Factors**
There is no way to know for sure if you will get
uterine cancer. Some women get it without being
at high risk. However, several factors may increase
the chance that you will get uterine cancer,
including if you—
-- Are older than 50.
39. 38
Uterine Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Are obese (have an abnormally high, unhealthy
amount of body fat).
-- Take estrogen by itself (without progesterone)
for hormone replacement during menopause.
-- Have had trouble getting pregnant, or have had
fewer than five periods in a year before starting
menopause.
40. 39
Uterine Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Take tamoxifen, a drug used to treat certain
types of breast cancer.
-- Have close family members who have had
uterine, colon, or ovarian cancer.
-- If one or more of these things is true for you, it
does not mean you will get uterine cancer. But you
should speak with your doctor to see if he or she
recommends more frequent exams.
41. 40
Uterine Cancer
**Risk Factors**
There are no simple and reliable ways to test for
uterine cancer in women who do not have any
signs or symptoms. The Pap test does not screen
for uterine cancer. The only cancer the Pap test
screens for is cervical cancer.
**Screening**
42. 41
Uterine Cancer
**Risk Factors**
Screening is when a test is used to look for a
disease before there are any symptoms. Diagnostic
tests are used when a person has symptoms. The
purpose of diagnostic tests is to find out, or
diagnose, what is causing the symptoms.
Diagnostic tests also may be used to check a
person who is considered at high risk for cancer.
43. 42
Uterine Cancer
**Risk Factors**
Since there is no simple and reliable way to screen
for any gynecologic cancers except for cervical
cancer, it is especially important to recognize
warning signs and learn what you can do to reduce
your risk.
44. 43
Uterine Cancer
**Risk Factors**
If you have symptoms or believe you may be at
high risk for uterine cancer, your doctor may
perform an endometrial biopsy or a transvaginal
ultrasound. These tests can be used to help
diagnose or rule out uterine cancer. Your doctor
may do this test in his or her office, or may refer
you to another doctor. The doctor might perform
more tests if the endometrial biopsy does not
provide enough information, or if symptoms
continue.
45. 44
Uterine Cancer
**Prevention**
There is no known way to prevent uterine cancer.
But these things may reduce your chance of
getting uterine cancer—
-- Using birth control pills.
-- Maintaining a healthy weight and being
physically active.
46. 45
Uterine Cancer
**Prevention**
-- Taking progesterone, if you are taking estrogen.
-- Ask your doctor about how often you should be
checked for uterine cancer, especially if you think
that you have factors that increase your chance of
getting it.
47. 46
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
There is no way to know for sure if you will get
vaginal or vulvar cancer. Some women get these
cancers without being at high risk. However,
several factors may increase the chance that you
will get vaginal or vulvar cancer, including if you—
-- Have HPV.
48. 47
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Have had cervical precancer or cervical cancer.
-- Have a condition that weakens your immune
system (such as HIV, the virus that can lead to
AIDS), making it hard for your body to fight off
health problems.
-- Smoke.
-- Have chronic vulvar itching or burning.
49. 48
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
If one or more of these things is true for you, it
does not mean you will get vaginal or vulvar
cancer. But you should speak with your doctor to
see if he or she recommends more frequent
exams.
**Screening**
There is no simple and reliable way to test for
vaginal or vulvar cancers in women who do not
have any signs or symptoms.
50. 49
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
Screening is when a test is used to look for a
disease before there are any symptoms. Cancer
screening tests are effective when they can detect
disease early. Detecting disease early can lead to
more effective treatment. Diagnostic tests are used
when a person has symptoms. The purpose of
diagnostic tests is to find out, or diagnose, what is
causing the symptoms. Diagnostic tests also may
be used to check a person who is considered at
high risk for cancer.
51. 50
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
The Pap test does not screen for vaginal or vulvar
cancers. Since there is no simple and reliable way
to screen for any gynecologic cancers except
cervical cancer, it is especially important to
recognize warning signs, and learn what you can
do to reduce your risk.
Here are steps you can take—
52. 51
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Pay attention to your body, and know what is
normal for you.
-- If you notice any changes in your body that are
not normal for you and could be a sign of either
vaginal or vulvar cancer, talk to your doctor about
them and ask about possible causes.
53. 52
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
-- Visit your doctor regularly for a checkup. During
your checkup, your doctor may perform a pelvic
examination to look for signs of vaginal and vulvar
cancer.
-- When vaginal and vulvar cancers are found early,
treatment is most effective.
54. 53
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
If your doctor says that you have vaginal or vulvar
cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic
oncologist—a doctor who has been trained to treat
cancers like these. This doctor will work with you
to create a treatment plan.
**Cancer Prevention**
55. 54
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common
virus with more than 100 different kinds or types.
More than 30 of the types can be passed from one
person to another during sex. Almost all cervical
cancers and some vaginal and vulvar cancers are
caused by HPV.
56. 55
Vaginal or Vulvar Cancer
**Risk Factors**
There is a vaccine that protects against the types of
HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal, and
vulvar cancers. It is given in a series of three shots.
The vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year
old girls. It is also recommended for girls and
women aged 13 through 26 who did not get any or
all of the shots when they were younger. (Note:
The vaccine can be given to girls beginning at age
9.)