Recently Health Canada approved a vaccine that protects women against the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer.
Garadasil is the first vaccine against the human papilloma virus (HPV) that infects half of all sexually active women between the ages of 18 and 22. Apparently this vaccine has proven 97 per cent effective in protecting women from forms of HPV that cause most cervical cancers.
This virus HPV (human papilloma virus) is very very highly contagious being spread by mouth – to – mouth contact with the genitals or anus of the infected person. At least 80 % of North American women of reproductive age will be exposed to HPV in their lifetime. This hardy contagious virus infects cells inside and outside of the body, including surfaces of the skin, lining of the mouth, tongue, throat, tonsils, vagina, penis, cervix and anus.
Women and men who have ever had a sexual encounter, even without penetration can readily contact HPV. You may have HPV and not even know it because there are often no apparent signs or symptoms. You may not even realize that you are a silent carrier spreading the virus.
Some types of HPV can cause common skin warts and plantar wares (that is warts on the soles of the feet). In addition there are more than 30 other types of HPV viruses with other symptoms as well.
This new breakthrough vaccine Garadasil protects against 4 different HPV virus types.
The vaccine is given by injection 3 times over a three month.
Geradasil is believed to prevent cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, precancerous lesions and genital warts – all caused by the HPV viruses.
Our immune systems are amazing in that in most cases a women's immune system keeps HPV at bay. However for some unknown reason in some cases the HPV infections linger and persist over time. This can lead to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer can be picked up early with routine Pap smear tests.
A Pap test is a simple test where your general practitioner (GP), Obstetrician or other health care provider takes a couple of cells from your cervix for laboratory exam.
The Pap test is a very simple, standard painless exam which should be done on a regular basis especially if you have had cervical cancer in your family.
The sad fact is that most women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer have never had a Pap test or not had one in five years.
This is especially sad and tragic as caught early enough cervical cancer has a very high cure rate.
The introduction of Geradasil in Canada may substantially reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Canada. However the vaccine does not prevent infection from all 100 – 200 strains of the HPV virus: therefore it must be emphasized and stressed greatly that this is not a cure all. Women must still get a Pap smear test on a regular basis. Having this new vaccine does not mean that cervical cancer is cured for everyone. Prevention with regular routine PAP tests is still essential for most women.
The development of Geradasil vaccine is a medical breakthrough; some doctors want the vaccine to be available through mass immunization. The vaccine is effective only if given before infection with HPV, so an individual needs to become vaccinated before becoming sexually active. Currently in Canada Health Canada gas approved it for females between the ages of 9 to 26 years.
The Geradasil vaccine product is now available in Canada, the United States and Mexico currently.
About the Author:
Margaret Mathews
Morgellons Research Foundation Com
morgellonsresearchfoundation@yahoo.com
www.morgellonsresearchfoundation.com
Added: 12 Oct 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/38988.html
Friday, June 22, 2007
Canadian Cervical Cancer Breakthrough - 2006
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Cervical Cancer Signs – Do You Know Common Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. And in the United States, an estimated 13,000 cases of invasive cervical cancer are expected to be diagnosed each year. Women should know what the cervical cancer signs are so that proper medical help can be obtained when needed.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. And in the United States, an estimated 13,000 cases of invasive cervical cancer are expected to be diagnosed each year.
Cervical cancer is usually caused by a sexually transmitted virus called the human papilloma virus or ‘HPV’. Most HPV infections will not lead to cervical cancer. However, infection with these viral types can lead to abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Certain changes called ‘high-grade lesions’ may progress to cervical cancer and cervical cancer signs if not treated.
Common cervical cancer signs include these symptoms:
• Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Abnormal bleeding between menstrual periods
• Heavy bleeding during your menstrual period
• Increased urinary frequency
Pap smears are the best screening technique currently available to evaluate the cells on the face of the cervix. The Pap smear is defined as a test for the signs of cervical cancer such as cancerous or pre-cancerous cells of the cervix. Most Pap smear test results come rated from Class I through Class V.
• Class I is normal,
• Class II means an irritation or inflammation,
• Class III means it is a true cervical dysplasia that can range from mild to serious,
• Class IV may be one of a variety of pre-cancers or cancers,
• Class V is one of the serious invasive cervical cancer signs.
Pap smear tests are necessary, but they are not always accurate. And their results sometimes appear normal even when a woman has the abnormal cells of cancer. If cervical cancer is suspected and the pap smear test comes back either as normal or as positive, consider getting another pap smear from a different laboratory and a second opinion from another doctor. If your Pap smear shows dysplasia, a biopsy can rule out cervical cancer.
Another testing method is being developed that uses a small fiber optic probe that may replace pap smears. This method is still being tested. Hopefully, it should give women more accurate screenings, eliminate unnecessary biopsies and help diagnose cervical cancer in its early stages.
Early stages of cervical cancer often go on without any noticeable symptoms! Cervical cancer is usually a very slow growing cancer. Cervical cancer is often diagnosed and treated in an advanced stage when the success rate is much lower. Most women that have invasive cervical cancer will be treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation or some combination of these. There are women that will have a hysterectomy as a consequence of cervical cancer that has spread within the cervix.
There are two types of hysterectomy -- the partial and the complete. In a partial hysterectomy, only the uterus is removed. In a complete hysterectomy, the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed (the medical term for removal of the ovaries is oophorectomy).
A complete hysterectomy will have a significant impact on a woman’s hormonal balance and health since the ovaries are such an important source of hormone production. Even a partial hysterectomy can have a significant effect, first because the uterus plays a role in hormonal balance, and second because in most cases the circulation to the ovaries is impaired enough by the surgery to seriously affect their function.
There are conditions for which hysterectomy is advisable or medically necessary. These include ovarian, uterine or cervical cancer, uncontrollable bleeding, severe endometriosis (adenomyosis) and complex hyperplasia, to name a few.
Women should know what the cervical cancer symptoms are so that proper medical help can be obtained when needed. To learn more about cervical cancer signs, causes and natural treatments, visit Cervical Cancer Signs and Treatments to read more.
Copyright 2005 Olinda Rola.
About the Author:
Olinda Rola is the webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com, a website of natural solutions for a variety of health problems. Visit her website and learn more about ways for improving your health. She is the editor of the free newsletter ‘Women’s Health Newsletter’. Go to http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/womenshealthnewsletter.html to subscribe.
Submitted on 2005-10-05
Article Source: http://www.articlesarea.com/
Monday, January 22, 2007
Cervical Cancer 101 what you need to know about
Cervical cancer affects the female body in the cervix region. The womb of a woman finds its opening through the cervix. Many a times the human papilloma virus causes the disease. It is transmitted sexual exchanges. The cervix being the most important organ of the reproductive system requires proper attention as far as cancer onset is concerned. Such a cancer affects the other organs of the cervix region and can cause damage to the reproductive organs. This makes the disease all the more fatal. Such a spread is commonly termed as metastasis.
Although human papilloma virus is the main cause of the disease but it is also diagnosed with women who are in a habit of smoking. The instances of lung and breast cancer associated with the cervical cancer are there. This shows that the susceptibility of women to have cancer is higher by the means of cervical cancer. The disease is indicated by the presences of warts on the area around cervix. But a regular medical check up is required because sometimes the warts may not even appear on the skin and the disease goes undetected.
The common symptoms of the disease are prolonged pains in the thoracic region. Sometimes the leg and the lower back start paining unbearably. Anemia is very frequently associated with cervical cancer. As a result of anemia the patient also experiences a weight loss and fatigue. The person also looses his normal appetite. The detection of this carcinoma by oneself is almost impossible. It is at the later stages only that, with the help of a doctor can one detect it.
The disease is very deadly as its detection is very difficult. Though the doctors can detect it by a simple pap smear but if the treatment is avoided for too long then it may cause a fatal results. The most important thing to note here is that the disease can spread to other parts of the body including the vagina and the other connective tissue. It spreads vigorously and the infection spreads very fast. The disease has the potential to damage the primary reproductive organs and jeopardize reproductive capacity of the woman.
A particular form of papilloma strain increases the vulnerability to disease. Also improper sexual behaviour and inadequate hygiene also caters to the onset of cervical cancer. A drug administered to prevent miscarriage (diethylstilbestrol), if given in great quantities also increases the susceptibility of the disease. The diagnosis of the disease is done by examining the vaginal fluid of the suspected patient and is checked for the strains of cancer.
Chemo-radiation is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is an effective measure in treatment of cancer. The infected cells can also be surgically removed. But the woman has to make a tough decision regarding jeopardizing her fertility. Thus most women go for the usual medication. A simple approach to prevent the disease is to have clean habits and regular check ups. The disease can be prevented by such steps though it cannot be ruled out after these.
A healthy woman is the most important asset of a family and there fore a woman should keep her self clean and ready to prevent such disease.
About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about cervical cancer. Learn more at http://www.cervicalcancerconcern.com
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Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Cancer - Cervical Smears - Women's Health
All women at some point in their life will have to have a cervical smear as a part of a health checkup. But do you know exactly what a cervical smear is, and how it can affect, diagnose or treat women's ailments? Read on for more information about this common procedure.
Women's Health: What is a Cervical Smear?
A cervical smear is a test used on women to tell if there are any changes in the health of the cervix. This is helpful to diagnose the early stages of cancer.
The cervix is located at the end of the uterus, and connects to the top of the vagina. There is a central canal that connects the vagina to the inside of the uterus, and it measures approximately 3cm square.
Women's Health: Why Have a Cervical Smear?
The main reason to have a cervical smear is to monitor the health of the cervix, and to lower the number of women who contract cervical cancer. The smear is targeted to detect early strains of potentially cancerous cells. If caught in time, women's health may not suffer terribly, and the growth of the cancer may not progress further. However, a cervical smear is just a screening process; it won't detect all forms of cancer, all of the time.
Women's Health: Who Needs a Cervical Smear?
Women who are sexually active, or who are 18 or older (whatever comes first) should take their health in their own hands and have regular cervical smears until the age of 70. A regular smear would be every three years for most women, depending on their health and the results of the last smear. Also, women who are not healthy should have annual smears, such as those with HIV. Women who have had a hysterectomy who have had abnormal pap smears in the past should get themselves checked every year by a health practitioner; there is still a risk of abnormal cell growth at the top of the vaginal canal.
Women's Health: How is a Cervical Smear Done?
A cervical smear is only taken when women are in good health, and are not bleeding. Any blood that appears during the testing can skew the results unnecessarily.
The procedure is performed with women on their backs, and their legs held up in the air by a health practitioner or stirrups. A speculum is placed inside the vagina, so that the health practitioner can view women's cervix closely. Then a brush-like instrument is placed over the cervix, and cells are wiped onto the brush, and then placed onto a glass slide for diagnosis.
Women's cervical smears can be done by a health practitioner, such as a doctor or nurse. The procedure usually only takes a couple of minutes, at the most, and isn't painful, although it may be a bit uncomfortable.
Health-Service-Online
Admin Fritz Frei
info@cancer-info.info
http://www.cancer-info.info
About the author:
Fritz Frei make it easy to check out the important details about the diagnoses and test's of the breast-cancer. To receive more information's about all cancer -questions - Links and last research NEW's - visit the http://www.cancer-info.info
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Monday, November 27, 2006
Identify Your Back Pain & Don't Let Cervical Cancer Flourish In You
Have you ever pondered over the fact that your chronic back pain problem is not a normal case of back pain, but of cervical cancer??
Probably not! You would never have thought that. But you can not rule out the possibility of cervical cancer taking its root in you. Many a time a patient in the early stages of cervical cancer is treated for normal back pain.
Consider this, without knowing that you are in the early stages of the cervical cancer, your doctor treats you for back pain as such! After the first round of medication, no improvement in the back pain is seen. He gives you stronger medicines. Yet, there is no improvement and he gives you injections and stronger pain-killers. Even when there is no improvement, he suggests you to undergo the surgery.
The researchers may not yet know it, yet every disease begins its attack with prior-warnings. It may not be a clear visible warning always, like the thunder before the rain, nevertheless symptoms are there, but your doctor's present knowledge and skills might fail to spot it. Cervical cancer is known to creep in quietly like the cat. Therefore, the question of screening Pap tests assumes importance.
Pain in urination and back pain or pain in the pelvic region, are the important symptoms that could lead to cervical cancer.
The researchers are bent upon waging an all-out war on various types of cancer, but cancer is also bent upon opening new fronts. A clear cut connection between back pain and cervical cancer is difficult to establish, but any prolonged back-pain needs to be viewed suspiciously and detailed investigations must follow. Why such back-pains are happening more often leading to deadly diseases like cervical cancer? And when they happen, why can't the doctors understand that this back pain is having some hidden agenda?
The saying goes, "Don't strike--if you strike, strike hard, so that there is no need to strike again." Cancer precisely does the same thing for you. It kills you twice. The day your reports indicate that you have cancer; you are emotionally dead, in spite of the best assurances given to you by your doctor and the words of encouragement from your family members. Secondly, you know it is your certain invitation to death. You are in the death row. When you will be hanged by the cancer, is for the cancer to decide!
The moment you realize that your back pain is somewhat different from the back pains you had in the past, be on the alert and contact your GP immediately.
You can also switch over to natural medications to get early back pain relief. These are not medicines as such, they are herbs that are harmless and can be consumed under normal conditions. Garlic and ginger need to be made part of your daily diet. There are instances where the grape-juice diet has cured cancer. Take honey regularly. It gets rid your body of all the toxic elements.
In a pure body impurities like the ones that give rise to cancer, can not remain. Trust this and live your life with strong will power. You have capability to beat back cancer!
Many Back Pain articles are available at Back Pain Treatment & http://www.backpaindetails.com/pain/
About the Author:
Javier Fuller
Many Back Pain articles are available at http://www.backpaindetails.com/pain/ for Back Pain Treatment.
Submitted: 2006-09-08
Article Source: GO Articles
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Cervical Cancer Shot Is For Adolescent Boys Too!!
Facts about cervical cancer.
fact 1. Cervical cancer is a cancer of the cervix.
fact 2. The cervix is the most important organ in the reproductive system.
fact 3. The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the main cause of the disease.
fact 4. The main way to contract the human papilloma virus is through sexual intercourse.
fact 5. Multiple sexual partners increase the risk of contracting HPV. Early sexual activity can also be a problem, due to the none-mature cell's increased ability to take on cancer cell growth.
fact 6. Cervical cancer is almost impossible to detect by oneself.
fact 7. Cervical cancer is a treatable survivable disease, especially with early detection.
fact 8. World wide, cervical cancer is the second most widely diagnosed cancer in women.
fact 9. In America,it is estimated that 12 thousand new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed each year.
fact 10. We still lose between four and five thousand women a year to full stage cervical cancer.
fact 11. Most of the women who lose their lives due to cervical cancer NEVER had a pap smear.
fact 12. Anemia is frequently associated with cervical cancer, also, weight loss, fatigue, leg and severe lower back pain and the loss of regular appetite.
other symptoms to look for are
1. vaginal bleeding after intercourse
2. unusual vaginal discharge
3. pain during sexual intercourse
4. pelvic pain
5. heavy bleeding between menstrual cycle
6. increased urinary frequency
fact 13. Regular check-ups and clean habits are the simplest approach to preventing cervical cancer.
fact 14. The surest way to stay on top of this cancer is through a pap smear, performed quite painlessly by your gynecologist.
fact 15. Most pap smear test results come back with a class 1 rating. There are, however, 5 class ratings and in degree's of severity here is a breakdown.
class 1. normal
class 2. inflammation or irritation.
class 3. cervical dysphasia, this can range from mild to serious.
class 4. is one of a variety of cancers or pre-cancers.
class 5. is one of full on serious invasive cervical cancer signs.
fact 16. If your pap test comes back class 3 or above you will need to get an immediate second opinion from a different laboratory with a second opinion from another doctor. If that test comes back with signs of dysphasia, an outpatient procedure known as a cone biopsy is the next step to rule out cervical cancer.
fact 17. If cervical cancer is detected, do not prolong treatment. If left unchecked the disease can spread to the vagina and surrounding tissue.
fact 18. This disease can potentially damage the bodies reproductive organs and diminish the capacity for women to have children.
fact 19. The infected cancer cells can be surgically removed.
fact 20. A combination of chemotherapy and radiation (chemo-radiation) is very effective in the treatment of cervical cancer.
As of this writing ,June of 2006 there has been a shot developed and approved by the FDA to combat cervical cancer head on.
fact 21. This cervical cancer shot claims it has the potential to all but eradicate cervical cancer in our lifetime. It is a vaccination for the human papilloma virus (HPV).
fact 22. It might be a hard pill to swallow for some parents to take their adolescent girl (8 to 13 yr. old) in for a vaccination against a sexually transmitted disease. Some parents believe this will give the child a green-light to start having under-age sex.
fact 22. The HPV vaccine may be used on adolescent boys too!, before they become sexually active.
fact 23. If the HPV vaccine is to gain wide spread acceptance it will need to be promoted as a cancer prevention vaccine instead of a vaccine for sexually transmitted diseases.
fact 24. Some experts who are fighting this disease are hopeful that the HPV vaccine be included with other adolescent shots such as the meningitis vaccine, only time will tell.
fact 25. Early detection makes this a very treatable disease.
PLEASE GET REGULAR CHECK-UPS
(c) copyright 2006 Darren crumbleholme
About the Author:
Darren crumbleholme, born in England now lives in America with wife Laura and three daughters Sydney, Chelsea and Madison.If you would like to learn more about to days advances in medicine please visit his websites @ http://www.cervical-cancer-shot.com http://www.cancersniper.com and http://www.medicineiptv.com
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Monday, October 30, 2006
Early Detection Of Cervical Cancer Can Save Lives
Cervical cancer is a serious yet highly preventable illness. Having regular Pap tests and pelvic examinations are the first line of defense for the early detection of cervical cancer and prevent it from becoming worse. Pap tests and pelvic exams can also find and treat the changing cells before they turn into cancer.
An online resource defines cervical cancer as “cancer in the cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows during a woman's pregnancy. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina (birth canal), which leads to the outside of the body.”
But sadly, normal Filipino women either do not have proper access to regular Pap tests or they cannot afford it because of economic constraints. In fact, Filipino women have the highest incidence of cervical cancer in East Asia because of the lack of Pap tests that can indicate cervical cancer in its earliest stage.
“Cervical cancer is among the most preventable cancers and even curable. In our experience, even a simple Pap Smear can be very helpful. If the Pap Smear is abnormal and is investigated with pre-malignant lesions, proper treatment can prevent cervical cancer,” Dr. Rey de los Reyes, associate professor of Far Eastern University’s (FEU) OB-Gyne Department and secretary of POGS, said.
To help Filipino women fight this type of cancer, the Philippine Obstetrical & Gynecological Society (POGS) is conducting lectures and seminars in different areas of the country and provide free Pap Smear.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the main causes of cervical cancer. It can be passed on from person to person via sexual intercourse.
There are several risk factors in developing cervical cancer, Dr. de los Reyes said. Among these are “women who have early sexual intercourse, women who have their first sexual intercourse in their teens (aged 15, 16 or 18), women who have multiple sexual partners, or even those who have one sexual partner but their sexual partners have multiple sexual partners in the past.”
Women who have multiple sexual partners are at risk of developing infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), he added. Women, who are in their mid-30s, late 30s up to their 60s, are also at risk of developing this kind of cancer.
Dr. de los Reyes also mentioned that symptoms of cervical cancer include abnormal discharge, bleeding after sexual contact or vaginal spotting, or actual bleeding. During the advanced stage, the patient will experience severe pain in the abdomen or gastric pains. Treatment range from surgery and radiotherapy for advanced stages; and chemotherapy for early stages.
Again, Dr. de los Reyes cannot over-emphasize it enough: getting regular Pap tests, pelvic examinations and check-ups with their trusted gynecologists can early detect cervical cancer, which eventually can save lives.
About the Author:
Mia Cabacungan
Mia is a senior copywriter at a public relations agency in the Philippines for 6 years now. She graduated from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) with a degree in AB Journalism.
Article Source: www.iSnare.com