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Health InformationCervical 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 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. Source: www.isnare.com This article is about cancer and was Written by: Mia Cabacungan Heart Expert Al Sears, MD Presents Ageless Heart Seminar, Florida, Apr The Scent of Success - Primrose Aromatherapy Launches Own Brand Essent Fibromyalgia &Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Retrovirus: What the Discovery The XMRV Discovery Series When major news about a possible cause of fibromyalgia(FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS or ME/CFS) breaks, it's definitely something to get excited about. However, we have to keep some perspective and remember just what these discoveries mean. What we know is that a retrovirus called XMRV was found first in the majority of people with ME/CFS, then in the majority of people with FMS. (If you missed the news about this discovery, click here for more about it.) Our excitement needs to be mainly for long-termprospects. Things like treatments, diagnostic tests and especially a cure are probably years away. It's a sad fact that research is slow, and that FMS and ME/CFS research is poorly funded -- which makes it even slower. Putting It in Perspective This is hardly the first time scientists have said, "Hey, this could all be linked to a virus."This isn't even the first retrovirus to cause a blip on the radar screen. However, the overwhelming percentage of us believed to carry this virus is staggering -- 68% in the published ME/CFS study, and as high as 95% of people with either FMS or ME/CFS in post-study work. (Scientists say they refined their testing methods after completing the original paper.) In my mind, this study is one more solid piece of evidence that ME/CFS is immunological. It could also start changing the common view of FMS as a neurological or rheumatic condition. Still, for a study to have any real scientific weight, it has to be replicated. How many times has a single FMS/ME/CFS study pointed one direction, only to have the next one point the opposite way? This is a great first step, but it's only the first step. Diagnostic Tests When something is as pervasive as XMRV appears to be in us, it seems like a promising area for a long-awaited diagnostic test. However, XMRV is a recently discovered virus, and so far, there's no diagnostic test for it. The researchers who made this discovery are now working on a blood test for the virus. Once they come up with a test, its accuracy will have to be confirmed in other studies before they start trying to develop it for clinical use. That will likely take a few years, and even when it's available a positive XMRV test won'tbe a positive FMS/ME/CFS test -- XMRV is not unique to these conditions, and a small percentage of healthy people carry it. It's my personal opinion that we have more promising studies underway for diagnostics tests, especially for ME/CFS. Treatments The Whittemore Peterson Institute, which made this discovery, says it's currently securing funding for tests to see if drugs already on the market are effective at suppressing XMRV. IF they find one or more, it might be possible for some of us to start taking them right away. However, it'll take a few years for human tests to prove conclusively that they're safe and effective. If they DON'T find existing drugs that work, who knows how long it could take for someone to come up with one and get it to market. A Cure Of course, the ultimate discovery would be a cure. Keep in mind, though, that scientists used cautious wording about this discovery:
It's possible that it might contribute. They're not saying "cause."At best, it's a "possible cause"or "possible partial cause."We have a long way to go before anyone talks about curing XMRV infection, and before we know whether curing XMRV infection would cure FMS or ME/CFS. Short-Term Impacts This study does have some possible benefits in the short term.
I wish I could tell you that this was it -- that we'd have a diagnostic test out next week, treatments by next month, and a cure within the next 5 years -- but that's just not the reality. Still, this study could be a major key to solving the puzzle. It's a major discovery, and only time will tell how important it is to our health. Learn more or join the conversation! NEWSLETTER | FORUM| BIO| TWITTER| FACEBOOK Fibromyalgia &Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Retrovirus: What the Discovery Meansoriginally appeared on About.com Fibromyalgia &Chronic Fatigue Syndromeon Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 12:00:57. Permalink| Comment| Email this Exercise as a Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment. No, re Can The Mercury In Tuna Fish And Dental Amalgams Be Contributing To Ch Calpis'AmealPeptide®Lowers Blood Pressure in Two Placebo-Controlled Tr Two new clinical trials presented by Calpis Co., Ltd. at the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) Twenty-Third Annual Scientific Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2008) in New Orleans show that the milk-derived dietary supplement AmealPeptide® reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients. The studies, called AHEAD (Achieve Hypertension Efficacy with AmealPeptide® Dietary Supplement) II, and the PROBE (A Prospective, Two-phase Randomized, Open-Label, Blinded End-Point) Dose Response Study confirmed the safety and efficacy of AmealPeptide® for patients with Stage I and Stage II hypertension. (PRWeb May 16, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/blood_pressure/calpis/prweb949954.htm PR Pharmaceuticals issued U.S. patent covering 2-methoxyestradiol for Wellness, Wholeness and Wisdom - with Parthenia S. Izzard to Feature O FDA gives approval for new anti-smoking drug Metabolic Syndrome And Heart Disease Risk Factors May Be Reduced By Ch  Save 20% - 70% On Health Products At eVitamins! |
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