14 Essential FAQs About Pap Smear!

Pap smear is also called as Pap test, which is used to test for cervical cancer in women.

This procedure involves collecting cells from your cervix – the lower and narrow end of your uterus.

Detecting cervical cancer in early stages can increase the chances of recovery.

Also, Pap smear helps to detect the changes in your cervical cells that indicate cancer in the future. Detecting these cells early with a Pap smear is your first step in halting the possible development of cervical cancer.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Pap smear:

1. What a Pap smear really means?

This is a diagnostic test used to identify the changes in the cells of your cervix. Pap smear can help to identify cervical cancer, infections of the cervix or abnormal cervical cells.

2. What are the benefits of Pap smear?

This test helps to identify the early signs of cervical cancer. If the signs are identified early, the chances of curing are high. Also, the test identifies abnormal cervical cells and infection that can turn into cancer cells. So, getting regular Pap smear can help to prevent the chances of developing cervical cancer.

3. Who needs Pap smear?

It is essential that all women have pelvic exams along with Pap smear as a part of regular health checkup. Women with 21 years or more and women under 21 years and have been sexually active for more than three years should undergo Pap smear.

Generally, there is no age limit for the test. Women during their menopause stage can also undergo Pap smear.

4. When should I get Pap smear?

The time and frequency of the test depend on your age and your health conditions. It is better to talk to your doctor.

• People younger than 30 years should undergo Pap smear every year.


• People of age 30 or older should talk their doctor about spacing out Pap smear to every 2 or 3 years.


• People between the ages of 65 to 70 years and already had Pap test for 3 times and no abnormal Pap test during the past ten years should talk to their doctor about further tests.
  

5. Do I still need Pap smear even after having hysterectomy?

This depends on the type of hysterectomy procedure that you have undergone. Consult your doctor whether you need the test or not. Women who have undergone total hysterectomy, removal of both the uterus and cervix, may not need to undergo regular a Pap smear. If only uterus is removed, then Pap test is essential.

6. How to prepare for the Pap smear test?

For two days before undergoing the test, you should avoid:

• Usage of tampons


• Douching


• Usage of vaginal deodorant sprays or powders


• Usage of suppositories, vaginal creams, and other medications


• Avoid intercourse
  

7. Can I undergo Pap smear when I have periods?

No, you should not have Pap test during your menstrual period. Best period to undergo the test is 10-20 days after the first day of your last menstrual period.

8. What does the procedure involves?

Pap test can be done during your pelvic exam. It is simple and a quick procedure. When you lie on the table, your doctor introduces an instrument called speculum into the vagina, to see your cervix.

Then with the help of special stick, the doctor accumulates the cells from the cervix. These cells are then placed on a glass slide and tested in the laboratory. It is a painless procedure, but some women feel it slightly uncomfortable.

9. When will Pap test results come?

The results of Pap test come in 2-3 weeks. Usually, the test results are normal. If there is something wrong from the test, your doctor asks you to again schedule for the test. Various reasons can result in abnormal Pap test, but it doesn’t mean that you have cancer.

10. What means abnormal Pap test?

Abnormal Pap test results mean that there might be a problem with the cervix. Sometimes, these abnormal cells can lead to cancer. But, most of the times, these cells go away on their own. If these unhealthy cells are treated soon, then the cancer can be prevented completely.

11. What happens if my test result was abnormal?

If it is an abnormal Pap test or results in small changes of your cervical cells, then your doctor will ask you to repeat the procedure.

If the results are more serious, then your doctor suggests further more powerful tests such as: biopsy, colposcopy or endocervical curettage.

12. What means false positive results?

There is no guarantee that results are always 100% correct, sometimes they might be false positive or false negative. False positive test result means you have abnormal cells, but in reality the cells are normal. So, if your test results in false positive, it indicates that there is no problem.

False negative test result means your cells are normal, but in reality there are some abnormal cells. So, if the test results in false negative, you need to undergo regular Pap test until the problem is identified.

13. Who have greater chances of getting cervical cancer?

The best way to be free from cervical cancer is avoiding contact with human papilloma virus (HPV) as it is the definite cause of cervical cancer. Here are the causes, which lead to women whose chances of getting cervical cancer are more:

• Women with more than one sex partners


• Women who have or have had a STD


• Women whose sex partner have other sex partners


• Women who started sex before the age of 18
  

14. Will insurance cover my Pap test?

Yes, insurance covers the cost of Pap smear. The cost varies from one doctor to another and it ranges from $50 to $200. Without health insurance, it may seem difficult to get the test because of the cost.


10 Screening Tests That Women Should Have!

Do you know that as women, we all should undergo certain medical tests and health screenings throughout our lives? For instance, did you know that hearing and vision screenings are recommended during every decade of your life?

Here is the list of 10 screening tests that you should undergo:

1. Pap test

Women age 21 and above should undergo Pap test. Sexually active young women under 21 also need to have Pap test starting within three years of the first time sexual intercourse happened. Pap test or Pap smear helps to detect abnormal changes in cervical cells that can lead to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is now 15^th among the causes of cancer deaths. Every year, about 3,700 women are dying of cervical cancer.

2. Heart screening

Heart disease is the most leading cause of death in American women and about 250,000 women are dying of heart disease every year. This figure is six times greater than the women that die from breast cancer.

You can prevent coronary disease by maintaining healthy diet and taking proper lifestyle medications and enough physical activity. For heart screening, you need to undergo a blood test that checks your cholesterol levels and blood fats.

If you experience any chest pain, shortness of breath or additional heartbeat, you should undergo a test called stress echocardiogram. This test performed to determine whether there is any reduced blood flow to your heart.

3. Mammograms

When to begin annual mammography varies from one health professional to another. According to American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the best age to start mammography is 40. Mammogram is a safe, painless and essential for the early detection of breast cancer.

Also, women during their 20s and 30s should undergo a breast exam for every three years to detect any lumps and bumps.

4. Blood pressure checks

Every year, about 50 million people in the United State have high blood pressure. One out of every five people is suffering from hypertension. It occurs when your blood pressure reading rise above 140/90.

Also, people suffer from low blood pressure or hypo tension. It occurs when your blood pressure reading falls below the normal range. When you have low blood pressure, you will experience headaches, light headed or dizziness.

5. Bone density test

It is fairly a simple and painless procedure. Women above 65 should have regular bone density test. Younger women who have had hysterectomy should also undergo regular bone density test. Osteoporosis is the disease that causes significant bone loss, if the condition is not detected and treated early, it can lead to fragile bones that break easily. Early diagnosis of this disease is treatable with medications.

6. Regular HIV testing

CDC recommended that everyone who consults a doctor or who is in an emergency room should undergo HIV testing on a routine basis. Regular HIV testing can decrease the spread of HIV virus about 30%. HIV virus is the most leading cause of AIDS.

7. Colon cancer test

Women should start screening for colon cancer at the age of 50. There are various procedures that help to detect colon cancer, so it is best to consult your doctor to know which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should be screened at an earlier age. Colonoscopy is the procedure that can detect colon cancer.

8. STD test

If you think of any exposure to STD, immediately contact your doctor for testing. If you experience any abnormal vaginal discharge, you should consult your doctor. Abnormal vaginal discharge doesn’t indicate an STD, but it is the indication of either an STD or an yeast or vaginal infection.

9. BMI test

BMI is a measure of body fat according to your height and weight and it determines where you fall on the weight spectrum. BMI level more than 39 indicates that you are obese. You can check BMI yourself by using BMI calculator.

10. Cholesterol test

Regular cholesterol screening helps to detect the risk of developing heart disease. Adult women should undergo regular cholesterol test for every five years.

Is It Breast Infection Or Mastitis?

Mastitis or breast infection is the infection of breast tissues that occurs more frequently at the time of breast feeding.

Breast infection is usually caused by a bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, which is found on normal skin.

Breast infection occurs in the fatty tissues of your breasts and leads to swelling and this swelling pushes on milk ducts, which finally causes pain and lumps in the infected breast.

If you are not breast feeding and you got breast infection, then it might be a rare form of breast cancer.

Menopausal women can also get breast infection.

What causes breast infection?

An opening on your breast or passage of bacteria through milk-secreting ducts can lead to breast infection. The risk of getting breast infection is more when there is restricted or blocked milk flow. Here are some causes that increase your risk of developing breast infection:

• Restriction or blockage in the milk ducts


• Usage of nipple shields


• Irregular breastfeeding


• Smoking cigarettes


• Irregularities in your breast


• Undergoing breast surgery


• Injury to the breasts


• Overuse of upper part of your arm


• Using items which exert pressure on the breasts


• Longer gap in between the feedings


• Incorrect placement of the baby while breastfeeding


• Medical conditions such as diabetes, stress and anemia which reduce your body’s immunity


• Missing the feeding session


• Wearing restricted cloths or usage of underwire bra
  

What are the symptoms of breast infection?

• Fever and presence of flu like symptoms


• Swelling and redness in the area of the breast


• Breast soreness that is associated with ache


• Feeling warmness in the breasts


• Nipple discharge
  

When you consult your doctor, he/she will perform a physical exam by considering your past medical history. Surface of the skin or breast milk culture could be performed to find out the bacteria. If there is blurred result, then your doctor will recommend to under a mammogram or biopsy of your breast.

What are the treatments for breast infection?

• Your doctor will suggest you a course of antibiotics to reduce the breast infection. Sometimes they can cause stomach disturbances and allergic flare ups.


• Wear a good nursing bra, which can help to reduce the unwanted swelling. Apply warm compress over the inflamed area.


• If it is bearable pain, you can continue breast feeding or use a breast pump to draw out the milk.
  

Are there any possible complications of breast infection?

If you have chronic breast infection, immediately consult your doctor because it can cause pus formation in the breasts. You need to undergo surgery to remove the pus from breasts. During these cases, discontinue breast feeding.

Are there any tips to reduce the chances of developing breast infection?

• Use both the breast while feeding


• Keep hydrated


• Maintain regular feeding sessions


• Wash your hands before breastfeeding


• Place your baby correctly while breastfeeding


• Resolve any medical conditions like anemia


• Avoid wearing tight cloths that put pressure over the breast area


• Avoid overexertion of upper arms
  

Screening For Breast Cancer May Not For All Women: Study

Most of the women generally urged to undergo breast cancer screening. But, recent study stated that undergoing frequent breast cancer screening is not appropriate for all women.

It is found that genetic mutations are responsible for a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. But, study stated that about 2% of the population should undergo breast cancer screening which is due to genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. Women should undergo a simple blood test to check these genetic mutations, but the analysis of the results can be sometimes very much complicated.

Women with these genetic mutations are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer in their earlier ages only. Usually, general women are at 12.5 percent risk of developing breast cancer, but women with these BRCA mutations are at approximately 60 percent higher risk. Similarly lifetime risk for ovarian cancer rises from 1.4 percent to approximately 40 percent in women with BRCA mutations.

Less than 10 percent of the women with breast cancer have one of the BRCA mutations and more than 15 percent of the women with ovarian cancer carry one of the BRCA mutations. Usually, test for these genetic mutations is recommended for women whose family members undergo cancer diagnosis throughout several generations.

7 FAQs About The Abortion Pill!

The abortion pill is a medicine that ends pregnancy only in its early stages. In general the abortion pill is recommended to end the pregnancy within 63 days or 9 weeks after the first day of a woman’s last period. Medical name for the abortion pill is “mifepristone”.

1. Is the abortion pill work effectively?

Yes, medication abortion with the abortion pill is very effective. Out of 100 cases, the abortion pill works effective for 95-98 cases. After the abortion, you need to consult your health care provider to make sure that it worked and that you are well.

Few medicines used in the medication abortion cause serious birth defects if the pregnancy continues. If the abortion pill doesn’t work, then you need to undergo aspiration abortion to end your pregnancy.

2. How does the abortion pill work?

Most of the women feel nervous about having medication abortion or any kind of abortion procedures. You can also feel better once you know what to expect.

Before undergoing medication abortion, you will need to:

• Talk about other choices for abortion


• Tell your doctor about your medical history


• Undergo laboratory tests


• Have a physical exam, called as ultrasound


• Carefully read and sign the papers
  

Usually, medication abortion is the procedure that starts immediately after taking the abortion pill. It consists of three steps:

Step 1: Taking the abortion pill

Your doctor will give you the abortion pill at the clinic. He/she will also recommend some antibiotics to take after the abortion pill. Usually, the pill works by blocking the progesterone hormone. When we block the progesterone hormone, uterus lining breaks down and pregnancy cannot persist.

Step 2: Misoprostol

Misoprostol is the second medication that you will take during the abortion procedure. This second medicine should be taken within three days after taking the abortion pill. Your doctor will give complete instructions on how and when to take the second medicine.

Misoprostol causes cramping and heavy bleeding. Few women start bleeding before taking the second the medicine. But for most of the women bleeding begin only after taking the second pill. During the abortion procedure, you will observe larger blood clots and tissue.

Usually, most of the women abort within 4-5 hours after taking the second abortion pill, whereas some others take longer.

Normally, women experience slight bleeding or spotting for up to four weeks after undergoing the abortion.

Step 3: Follow-up

You will need to consult your doctor within two weeks after the abortion. Follow-up is essential in order to ensure that the abortion procedure is complete and you are well. Again you should undergo ultrasound and blood test.

In case if your pregnancy does not end, you will need to undergo aspiration abortion. Your health care provider will discuss the options with you.

3. How do I feel during the abortion procedure?

Along with bleeding and cramping, you will also experience:

• Nausea or vomiting


• Dizziness


• Strong cramping


• Temporary abdominal pain


• Diarrhea


• Temporary mild fever or chills
  

4. Is it safe to use the abortion pill?

Most of you can undergo the medication safely. But, any of the medical procedures have their own risks, so safety is a big concern.

Rare, but possible risks include:

• Allergic reaction to any of the pills


• Infection


• Bleeding heavily


• Incomplete abortion


• Undetected ectopic pregnancy
  

In most of the cases, these risks can be treated with medication or other treatments.

5. Are there any serious complications of abortion?

Serious complications may have warning signs. You should immediately call your health care provider if you experience any of the following signs:

• An unpleasant smelling discharge from your vagina


• Fever of 100.4°F or higher that persists for more than four hours


• Severe abdominal pain that cannot be cured by medications


• Blood clots for more than two hours and are bigger than a lemon


• Heavy bleeding


• Vomiting that persists for more than 4-6 hours


• symptoms that you are still pregnant
  

6. Does anyone take the abortion pill?

• Women more than 9 weeks pregnant


• Women who have a known or suspected molar pregnancy


• Women with severe heart, liver, adrenal gland, or kidney problems


• Women who take medicines that should not be combined with medications used in abortion procedure


• Women taking anti-clotting medicines or have any blood clotting disorders
  

7. What can I feel after using the abortion pill?

Your doctor will give you complete instruction about dos and don’ts after undergoing the abortion procedure. Women experience wide range of feelings after undergoing the abortion procedure. Most of you feel relief. But, some women feel guilt, anger, sadness, or regret for some time due to the sudden change of hormones.

Your menstrual cycle starts within 4-8 weeks after undergoing the abortion.

You should avoid the intercourse or inserting anything into your vagina for at least one week after the abortion. You will become pregnant immediately after undergoing the abortion. So, it is essential to use birth control. Discuss with your healthcare provider about which procedure is best for you.

Pomegranates May Help Fight Against Breast Cancer!

New research conducted on breast cancer stated that, pomegranates contain naturally occurring chemical, known as a phytochemical, also called as Ellagic acid that prevents cancer cells from developing. Three-quarters of breast cancer are considered to be hormone reliant - fuelled by the hormone estrogen.

The new research said that pomegranates may reduce the probability of developing hormone-dependant breast cancer. Phytochemicals present in the fruit fight against estrogen production that prevents the production of breast cancer cells and the development of estrogen-responsive tumors.

So, it is helpful for people who consume pomegranates to protect against development of cancer in their breasts and also in other tissues and organs. Along with pomegranates, there are various other fruits like grapes help fight against breast cancer.