Screening women for cervical cancer every single year may do more harm than good.

For fifty years an annual Pap smear has been the gold standard of screening for cervical cancer in women. Now a federal advisory group and the nation’s leading cancer organization have changed their tune. They no longer recommend that women have a Pap test each year.

The recommendations do not apply to women who are at very high risk for cancer, such as those who have been diagnosed with a high-grade precancerous cervical lesion or who have weakened immune systems.

The US Preventive Services Task Force, (USPSTF) a panel of independent experts convened by the government, and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have each released new guidelines for cervical cancer screening that recommend against routine yearly testing. Instead, the guidelines recommend testing every 3 years for women aged 21 to 65.

New Guidelines

For women aged 30 to 65, the new guidelines recommend screening every 5 years with both a Pap smear and a test for the human papillomavirus (HPV). That recommendation is based on data showing that less frequent screening with both tests provides a comparable benefit in cancer detection to more frequent Pap testing alone. Routine screening of women younger than 21 and older than 65 is not advised under the new guidelines.

Pap testing has been responsible for a dramatic reduction in cervical cancer deaths.

The updated recommendations apply to women, regardless of sexual history, who have a cervix and show no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer. The recommendations do not apply to women who are at very high risk for cancer, such as those who have been diagnosed with a high-grade precancerous cervical lesion or who have weakened immune systems.

Both the USPSTF and ACS emphasize that Pap screening continues to be a important diagnostic tool. Since its widespread introduction, Pap testing has been responsible for a dramatic reduction in cervical cancer deaths in the United States. Among current cervical cancer deaths, most occur in women who have never been screened or who have not been screened in the last 5 years.

According to Dr. Wanda Nicholson, an ob/gyn at the University of North Carolina and a member of the USPTS, bringing those groups of women into the screening process remains an important public health objective.

Why Test Less Frequently?

The groups based their updated recommendations on research demonstrating that Pap testing every year provides little or no benefit compared to testing every 3 years, but that more frequent testing carries potential harm. false positives — that is, a test indicates the existence of disease when in fact none is present — are very common and often lead to invasive testing that can produce long-term complications, including difficulties with pregnancy and delivery.

Pap testing every year provides little or no benefit compared to testing every 3 years, but that more frequent testing carries potential harm.

Debbie Saslow, ACS’s director of breast and gynecologic cancer, sums it up this way: “We now know that annual screening causes more harm than good because it leads to many extra invasive procedures without increasing the number of cancers detected.”

A new Attitude toward Screening

The new Pap guidelines reflect a shift in medical thinking about the advisability of frequent and routine disease screening in the general population. Recommendations advocating more limited screening for both breast and prostate cancer have also been issued within the past several years.

This new attitude reflects a growing realization that the benefits of screening healthy people may not be as great as previously believed, and that screening is not without potential risk. however, more frequent screening of vulnerable, older people for a condition such as osteoporosis can bring benefits.

Screening produces winners (those whose lives are saved) and losers (those who are subjected to unnecessary intervention). while the winners win big, they are relatively few; many more will lose.

Those risks include the possibility of false positives, as well as the detection of early-stage abnormalities that might resolve themselves over time without medical intervention. The consequences of these scenarios include unnecessary invasive testing, complications and side effects from drugs or surgery, and pain and emotional distress.

Dr. Gilbert Welch, a professor of medicine at Dartmouth and a well-known writer and lecturer on the subject of disease screening, frames the matter in gambling terms: Screening produces winners (those whose lives are saved) and losers (those who are subjected to unnecessary intervention). while the winners win big, they are relatively few; many more will lose.

Those who take a minimalist or skeptical view of medical intervention can be reassured that they are not unduly risking their health. There is no one right answer for everyone. (Those who want to hear more about the pros and cons of screening can check out this interview of Dr. Welch.)

Even Doctors Are Confused

Despite the shift among clinical experts, most Americans continue to believe unquestionably in the benefit of routine annual screening. It’s easy to understand why the public might overestimate the value of such tests. Even many doctors are confused about the degree of benefit conferred by screening exams and fail to advise patients correctly.

For example, when asked in a recent survey to choose between two tests of different hypothetical benefit, nearly all of the physician respondents chose the one that was less meaningful in terms of saving lives. Other research has shown that many doctors continue to perform screening more often than recommended.

One recent study found that breast cancer screening resulted in a rate of over-diagnosis of 18-25 percent. this points to a need for more physician education, but also highlights the importance among patients of becoming better informed about why, when and for whom screening makes the most sense.

The idea of annual screenings is alluring: Have a test, find disease and treat it early. But this is too simplistic. although there’s no doubt that screening is advisable in certain situations, the correlation between routine screening for everyone and subsequent health benefit is not cut and dried. The medical establishment has begun to recognize the limitations of screening. Health care consumers should take note as well.

This article originally appeared on TheDoctorWillSeeYouNow.com, an Atlantic partner site.

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Prostate cancer has no or very minimal symptoms. That’s why prevention is the best defense. the key thing is to have a PSA, which is a blood test, every year. It’s recommended men start yearly PSA tests by the age of 50, or 40 if there’s a family history.

There are three different categories of prostate cancer: low, intermediate, and high.

Radiation Oncologist Dr. Hasan Murshed says the good thing is if it can be caught early prostate cancer patients have multiple treatment options. But if the cancer is advanced, the only options are radiation treatment or hormone treatment.

Now the Bay Regional Cancer Center is conducting clinical trials combining the two. the first is for intermediate risk prostate cancer patients who normally only get radiation alone.

Dr. Murshed says, “We’re testing if adding a short course of hormone with radiation would improve the outcome.”

We know from studies that high risk prostate cancer patients getting radiation and hormone benefit from this type of treatment.

The other trial is for patients who’ve had prostectomy and now have as rising PSA. that means after surgery they had a bio chemical failure from the prostate cancer standard treatment, radiation therapy.

Dr. Murshed says, “We’re testing again to see if adding a short course of hormone treatment would improve in patients. these are national studies available at the cancer center so you don’t have to travel to M.D.Anderson or Birmingham. We can offer those cutting edge treatments right here in Panama City.”

For more information just call Dr. Murshed at 747-6972.

Lung cancer late illness is serious, so families must complete lung cancer late the patient’s nursing home care, giving patients the appropriate for lung cancer patients take care of life, create a good rest environment, the biggest mental support for patients with mental comfort. in addition to traditional Chinese medicine can undertake recuperating cancer. Lung cancer late nursing mainly to control symptoms patients and reduce pain for the target.

Lung cancer late home care of content:

1. Relieve symptoms: fever for lung cancer, one of the main symptoms should instruct client to keep warm, prevent colds, lest produce pneumonia; for irritating cough, can give antitussive agent; Persistent cough, night patient can drink hot water, in order to reduce throat stimulation; if there are coughing up blood shall give hemostatic medicine, a lot of coughing up blood immediately notify the doctor, while allowing patients to a side, head timely removal in oral cavity hemorrhage, and assist doctors to prevent suffocation rescues.

2. Lung cancer patients once appear, typical symptoms, quite part is lung cancer late. Therefore, regular high-risk patients for x-rays and screening for lung cancer, the inchoate discovery, inchoate cure to have the important meaning.

3. Watch the condition change of haemoptysis is more, should be ready in lung cancer patients, prevent suffocate. Rescue articles

4. Understand lung cancer patients’ diets, sleep and psychological state, strengthen the psychological nursing, make patients at a good state of mind and body state in order to raise the therapeutic effect.

5. Psychological care: lung cancer patients will have of late anxiety, fear, sadness, also often appear psychological indifference, loneliness, we want to have a high sympathy and responsibility, for patients to create a warm harmonious culture environment, situated on a single ward, language kind, genuine, encourage patients to speak their psychological feeling, timely, introduced the initiative to convince patients with the improved information. So patients afraid of being cold and period be abandoned, he often felt lonely, especially at night, always feel that death is coming, family care can make patients feel safe, comfortable, warmth. We should take all kinds of measures to alleviate the suffering of patients, and this is to be the basis of mental nursing.

Expert introduction to the stand or fall of nursing, lung cancer late the consolidation of the curative effect of lung cancer has a decisive role. in lung cancer during treatment, reasonable lung cancer care, can greatly improve the body function, make patients with better tolerate treatment. and during the recovery, lung cancer still not neglect nursing, good care can promote lung cancer patients recover.

Although the vaccine for hepatitis B is much popular, hepatitis A vaccine is also very important. Hepatitis A is a dangerous virus that causes a serious infection in the liver, which is referred to as hepatitis. So, it is very important to ensure that your teen is protected from this viral disease. this is only possible via the Hepatitis A vaccine. So, if you have any doubts in this regard, it is best to speak to a doctor or health care professional and get yourself clarified. In this article, we aim to answer or clear your maximum questions/doubts regarding the hepatitis A vaccine for teens.

About Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A reaches from one person to another via the oral and fecal ways. By this, we mean that if your teen is consuming something that is unhygienic due to the little amount of stool that is present in it along with the contained virus, your teen is at a high risk to get this disease. Now, this sounds pretty impossible and also gross, but it is possible if someone cooks the lunch that your teen is eating without washing the hands after leaving the restroom. Well, this is only an example and that the possibilities are many. Stating a real example, an epidemic of hepatitis A was seen in Pennsylvania in 2003 due to the serving of the contaminated green onions at a restaurant.

This disease is serious as it has taken away the lives of considerable amount of patients until now. as per a survey, nearly 1 out of every 3 people of all ages who are suffering from the disease needs to be hospitalized. So, how do you recognize hepatitis A? certainly, it is via its symptoms that it instills in the affected person. So, if someone is having hepatitis A might show off a myriad of symptoms like stomach pain, flu-like illness, jaundice in which the skin turns out to be yellow, and diarrhea. obviously, these symptoms are due to the Hepatitis A virus that has already entered the bloodstream.

The above facts are actually the main reasons why your teen should take the Hepatitis A vaccine.

The function of Hepatitis A vaccine

Similar to the other vaccines, the Hepatitis A vaccine safeguards an individual from the deadly virus causing hepatitis, a critical liver infection.

Eligible people for the vaccine

This vaccine is only meant for those individuals who belong to the age group of 12 months to 18 years.

Ineligible people for the vaccine

Kindly note that this vaccine is composed of alum and 2-phenoxyethanol. Therefore, if the teen is allergic or sensitive to these ingredients, ensure that your health care provider knows about it. Further, if she or he is seriously allergic to the vaccine, then completely avoid it. A critical allergy means that your teen feels difficult to breathing, has swelling in throat, feels weak or dizzy, and experiences a quick heart beat.

Brand names for vaccine

To prevent Hepatitis of the liver via the Hepatitis A virus, two hepatitis A vaccine brands are available. These are namely, Vaqta and Havrix, both of which are inactivated. By the latter term, we mean that both the vaccines contain the viruses, but they are dead and so no longer can trigger the disease or its symptoms. So, why they are included in the vaccine? they are included in the vaccine to facilitate the body to generate antibodies for combating the live virus, if it enters hence forth.

The prevention by the vaccine

Two shots of this vaccine are given to those who need it. while in children one is given after 1 year old visit and the next after an interval of 12 to 18) months, in teens; the vaccine is given directly at the office of a healthcare provider. however, the dose is dependent on the brand that is in use.Common after effects

As a matter of fact, the hepatitis A vaccine induces a few after effects. this is something that each parent should know and discuss with the doctor before taking the teen to get this vaccine. Listed below are the after effects of the hepatitis A vaccine.

• Headache
• Tiredness
• Soreness at the site of injection
• Loss of appetite

Well, these are okay to bear rather than tolerating the symptoms of hepatitis A.

by Sandra Douglas

People infected with hepatitis C can usually expect to carry the virus for the rest of their lives. They are naturally concerned, as are their families and loved ones, asking “Can I give hepatitis C to someone else?”

The virus that causes hepatitis C attacks the liver. Some people may not have any symptoms of the disease for many years, and in fact may not know they have it until a blood test surprisingly reveals elevated liver enzymes. others experience an acute illness with fever, fatigue, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal tenderness, and weight loss. those who have acute hepatitis C usually recover without any permanent liver damage.The reason that hepatitis C is such a serious disease is that eventually, the liver becomes damaged by the attacking viruses. The disease advances to liver failure and cirrhosis, and liver cancer occur in people who have hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C is passed through the contact of infected blood. This contact can occur in several ways but it is easy to prevent passing the virus to someone else.

People who use injectable drugs are at high risk of contracting hepatitis C, especially if they share needles with others, or use unsterilized needles, syringes, or paraphernalia. those who get tattoos are also at risk of picking up the virus from poorly sterilized tattoo equipment. If you have hepatitis C and use injectable drugs, and this includes prescription drugs as well as illegal drug use, dispose of your used needles in a puncture proof container to prevent exposing another person. never share your injectable equipment.

Blood Donation and Transfusion

Because hepatitis C is transmitted through infected blood, people with hepatitis C are not allowed to donate blood. Since 1992, all donated blood has been tested for hepatitis so that the risk of passing the virus through a blood transfusion or through blood products has been eliminated. You cannot get hepatitis C by receiving or donating blood.

It is rare for hepatitis C to be passed between monogamous sexual partners. in a survey of people with hepatitis C who had spouses or monogamous partners, less than 5% of them had partners who also had hepatitis C, and that includes those partners who themselves had behaviors that put them at risk for hepatitis C such as intravenous drug use. Cases that involve the spreading of hepatitis C between stable, monogamous sex partners is less than 1% per year. Doctors do not recommend that people in stable relationships change their sex practices.

Maternal-Infant Transmission

It is uncommon for a mother to pass the virus to her unborn child. Studies indicate that less than 5% of infected mothers pass the disease to their infants. those infants that do become infected usually have a mild case without symptoms. Breast-feeding has not been shown to pass the virus from mother to child.

Because hepatitis C virus is carried in the blood, do not allow another person to come in contact with infected blood. This may mean having a supply of latex gloves on hand in case of emergency when the assistance of another person is needed. If contact with infected blood occurs, wash with soap and warm water. If the blood is splashed into the face, mouth or eyes, or if an open cut comes in contact with infected blood, flush with water.

The virus can live in spilled blood, including dried blood for up to 4 days. Clean any blood spills with a 1:10 bleach solution, which is ten parts water to 1 part bleach. Wear gloves when cleaning spills.

There is no treatment available for exposure to hepatitis C virus. a person exposed to hepatitis a or B can receive immunoglobulin therapy to prevent the disease from developing but no such treatment is available for hepatitis C. it is not recommended to treat with anti-virals following exposure to hepatitis C virus.

The good news is that the rate of transmission of the disease following such exposures is quite low. The risk of developing the disease after exposure to an open cut is 1.8%, meaning that less than 2 people out of 100 who are exposed will develop the disease. Risk of the disease after exposure to the eyes, mouth, or nose is unknown but very small.

Overall, hepatitis C is not considered a highly contagious disease. As long as precautions are taken to limit exposure to contaminated blood, it is possible to prevent giving hepatitis C to someone else.

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Latest Depression News

Study Shows Treatment of Mothers Is Linked to Improvement in Kids’ Depression Symptoms

By Salynn BoylesWebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

March 15, 2011 — Children who live with depressed moms are at high risk for depression, but successful treatment of the mother greatly improves the prospects for her child, a study shows.

The study followed 80 depressed mothers and their children over time. it showed that depression symptoms, behavioral problems, and other signs of distress among children tended to correspond with the mothers’ response to treatment.

The women and children were participants in a large trial conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) designed to assess the impact of trying different treatment approaches when initial treatments fail.

“Treatment of depression is trial and error, but many patients give up very early and decide they can’t be helped,” Columbia University professor of epidemiology and psychiatry Myrna M. Weissman, PhD, tells WebMD. “This study showed that improvement is possible even after several unsuccessful tries, and that successful treatment of the parent has a long-lasting impact on the child.”

The study did not included fathers, but Weissman says the findings can probably be extrapolated to depressed dads.

Depressed Moms, Depressed Kids

About a third of the children enrolled in the larger NIMH study had a current psychiatric disorder and half had a history of such disorders when their mothers started treatment.

Children were assessed at study entry for psychiatric symptoms as well as behavioral problems and functional issues. they were followed, along with their mothers, throughout the two-year study.

The mothers all had major depression when they entered the study with no history of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. all were initially treated with the antidepressantCelexa, followed by other drug treatments, behavioral therapy, or a combination of behavioral therapy and drugs if depression symptoms did not improve.

When the mothers responded to treatment within three months, their children were most likely to experience improvements in overall psychosocial functioning both at home and at school for at least a year after maternal remission.

Long-term improvements were also seen in children whose mothers took up to a year to respond to treatments. but the children of mothers who remained depressed over the two-year study showed no improvement in symptoms and an increase in disruptive behaviors.

“Remission of mothers’ depression, regardless of its timing, appears to be related to decreases in problem behaviors and symptoms in their children over the year after remission,” the researchers write in the March 15 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Trying New Depression Treatments

About 12% of women experience depression in a given year, with about twice as many low-income women reporting symptoms of depression.

In one study of mothers whose children were enrolled in Head start programs, more than half (52%) reported depressive symptoms. Another study, which screened young mothers at selected community pediatric health centers for depression, found a depression rate of 40%.

Adolescent and child psychiatrist R. Scott Benson, MD, says the newly published findings illustrate the importance of sticking with treatment and trying different approaches when initial depression treatments fail.

“Parents who are depressed need to keep trying to find a treatment that works for them for their own sake and the sake of their children,” he tells WebMD.

Benson, who practices in Pensacola, Fla., says if a treatment is not working in about six weeks, it is time to try something else — either a different drug or drug combination, behavioral therapy, or a combination of the two.

“Most people can find a treatment that works for them, and they don’t have to suffer for years,” he says.

SOURCES: Wickramaratne, P. American Journal of Psychiatry, published online March 15, 2011.Myrna M. Weissman, PhD, professor of epidemiology and psychiatry, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City.R. Scott Benson, MD, adolescent and child psychiatrist, Creekside Psychiatric Center, Pensacola, Fla.News release, American Psychiatric Association.Department of Health and Human Services: “Depression in Head start Families.”Kahn, R.S. Pediatrics, vol 103: pp 576-581.©2011 WebMD, LLC. all Rights Reserved.

Canada’s doctors are preparing to launch a full-court press to urge pregnant women in Canada to get the H1N1 flu vaccine, Canwest News Service has learned.

Special posters, fact sheets and mail outs will be sent to all maternity health-care providers across Canada, including hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices, promoting immunization of pregnant women and advance prescriptions for the antiviral drug Tamiflu that could be filled at the first sign of symptoms.

"The message is very clear: first and foremost, immunization," said Dr. Vyta Senikas, a vice-president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.

A special task force involving 15 partnering organizations met in Toronto this week to discuss a national effort to advise pregnant women about the risks of H1N1.

Senikas said the posters will feature the logos of the country’s major maternity-care organizations to show the public they are working together to address the high-risk nature of pregnant women catching the flu.

Meanwhile, the president of the society has written to doctors across the country, recommending they immunize women coming for regular prenatal visits wherever possible.

Dr. Michel Fortier said pregnant women in the third trimester or at term are one of the groups most at risk to be affected by H1N1.

"a number of women across Canada have died as a result of H1N1 thus far," Fortier said in his letter to members of the Ottawa-based group. Pregnant women are not more likely to get the flu, but "the effects of H1N1 are more devastating in this group."

Pregnant women who catch the virus are more likely to face complications such as pneumonia and severe respiratory distress. Severe complications can lead to early delivery or miscarriage, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

But Fortier said there is "great concern" about the historically low level of flu shots among the demographic. It’s estimated that fewer than 20 per cent of pregnant women get a seasonal flu shot.

"Pregnant women are reluctant to use any medication or take any immunizations," Senikas said. "They’re always worried about side effects" the unborn children might encounter.

But, Senikas added, "We know it’s a flu that particularly affects the younger age group, and it’s that younger age group which is also pregnant."

She pointed to the case of a young Montreal mother who died of swine flu in August. Her baby was delivered by an emergency cesarean section.

H1N1 particularly affects the lungs, "and if there are oxygenation issues for the mother, the fetus sometimes has to compensate for that," Senikas said.

The virus doesn’t cross the placenta, so the fetus doesn’t get H1N1. but the complications caused by H1N1 in the mother can be detrimental to the infant’s health, Senikas said.

"Supposing (the mother) gets so sick that her lungs are not able to function anymore, so she has to go on a respirator. When there are oxygenation issues, that can affect the fetus also."

Canada’s public health officials last week recommended pregnant women be among the first to be vaccinated when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available in November. but the rapid development of the H1N1 vaccine and the push to get it out ahead of a second wave of infection have raised concerns about safety.

"If there are things I can do to avoid exposure, absolutely I’ll do it, and at the first sign of any symptoms, I’m at my doctor’s office," said Erika Shaker, who is at the end of her second trimester of pregnancy.

"but when it comes to actually being vaccinated using a substance that I don’t think has received adequate testing, I’m concerned. and I suspect a lot of women in my position are as well."

As of Sept. 12, a total of 1,459 hospitalized cases — 288 of whom were admitted to an intensive care unit — and 76 deaths had been reported in Canada since the beginning of the H1N1 pandemic.

Senikas said pregnant women will be encouraged to talk to their doctor about getting a prescription for Tamiflu in advance. Early treatment, within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, can reduce the risk of complications.

"If early symptoms develop, she cashes in the prescription, and she lets the health-care provider know for followup," Senikas said. "She doesn’t have to go to the doctor’s office and infect every other pregnant woman there. She doesn’t have to go to the emergency department and sit for six hours with mild symptoms to get an antiviral prescription."

But if severe symptoms develop, "we want her going to an emergency department."

© Copyright (c) Postmedia News

How likely is it to get oral cancer from high-risk HPV?

I read somewhere that it’s possible to get oral cancer from high risk strains of HPV. What’s the likelyhood of someone who has had an abnormal pap with high-risk HPV getting throat cancer? I’m very scared over this

It appears that 25% of new mouth cancers–and 35% of new throat cancers–are now being caused by HPV.

The stats are alarming.

Insidermedicine In 60 – June 7, 2010

Killing Cancer$9.95From 2 time cancer survivor L. J. Martin comes a patient’s, a layman’s, look at killing cancer. How he helped medical science in discovering, treating, and killing both prostate and squamous cancer of the tongue and lymph nodes. …

By Amelia Robinson, Staff Writer 6:43 PM Thursday, January 27, 2011

Dr. William Rettig knows getting a pap smear is no picnic.

“the only place women like going to less is the dentist, but it is probably a toss up,” said the doctor of obstetrics and gynecology at Lifestages-Samaritan Center for Women.

The screening may be uncomfortable to talk about and experience, but it saves lives, Rettig said.

“It’s proven to reduce cancer,” he said. “Over the last 30 years the incidences of cervical cancer have gone down 50 percent.”

Cervical cancer forms in tissues of the cervix, the organ connecting the uterus and vagina. most cervical cancers are caused by the sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV).

“eighty percent of men and women by the time they are in their 20s or 30s are exposed to the HPV virus,” Rettig said, noting that most exposed to the virus will not develop cancer.

“Anyone who is exposed to a male is potentially high risk. this is a virus you could have been exposed to years ago.”

The truth about pap smears

Surgeon Lynne Eaton, a Miami Valley Hospital gynecologic oncologist, calls the pap smear one of the most effective screenings for any cancer, but it is made to seem scary.

“Young girls hear this horror story about what a pap smear is,” she said. “a pap smear can help diagnose cervical cancer and most women don’t know what a pap smear is or that they need a pap smear.”

During the procedure, a doctor uses a plastic or metal instrument called a speculum to widen the vagina for examination of the cervix. Cells and mucus are collected, usually by a swab, for study.

Routine pap smears are recommended by age 21 or within three years of first having sex.

Eaton will take part in a free public presentation called “the Truths and Myths about Female Cancers” at 6 p.m. Feb. 3 at Miami Valley Hospital South, 2400 Miami Valley Drive, Centerville.

Hard stats

Worldwide cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer in women, but its incidents have decreased dramatically in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The agency contributes the decline to the pap smear, which detects cervical pre-cancer before it turns into cancer.

In 2010 there were about 12,200 new cervical cancer cases in the United States and about 4,210 deaths, according to the National Cancer Institute. Cervical cancer kills about 160 Ohioans annually, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

In an average year, 487 Ohio women develop invasive cervical cancer.

Age does matter

Eaton said many women are in the advance stages of the disease by the time they seek treatment.

“They ignored symptoms, didn’t know they had to get it (a pap smear) or had limited resources,” Eaton said. “People don’t understand their bodies. They don’t know where their cervix is.”

Many women mistakenly abandon routine pap smears after passing their childbearing years, she said.

About half the women who develop cervical cancer are ages 35-55, according to the Ohio Department of Health. twenty percent are diagnosed at 65 and older.

“the majority of women I see haven’t had a pap smear in 10 years,” Eaton said. “if a woman gets a pap smear routinely, her risk of developing cervical cancer is reduced dramatically.”

Both Eaton and Rettig recommend the cervical cancer vaccine for females ages 11-26.

“it reduces your risk by about 70 percent,” Rettig said, noting that it vaccinates against the two types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers.

Rettig said he understands why pap smears are overlooked, but the test is important.

“I think we are all human. none of us like going to the doctor,” he said.

Contact this reporter at .

Published 10:57am Monday, January 31, 2011

ROANOKE RAPIDS – Halifax Regional Medical Center is restricting visitors because of an increase of patients with flu symptoms.

In the past two weeks, the increase in patients with flu symptoms to the Emergency Care Center has increased 40 percent. in addition, there is an increase of inpatients with the flu virus.

“We are concerned that exposing people to the flu virus will increase the incidence in the community,” said Will Mahone, president of Halifax Regional. “We especially urge parents not to bring well children to the Emergency Care Center, where sitting in the waiting room may expose them to viruses.

“We understand the value of family and friends visiting their loved ones, but we believe these restrictions are necessary at this time to help keep the community healthy,” added Mahone.

The restrictions are being placed on people who are at high risk. they include the following:

Children 5 years of age and under are not allowed in the Medical Center.

Older children and teens are asked not to visit because of the high rate of flu among young people.

Pregnant women are discouraged from visiting.

Adults 65 and older are requested not to visit the Medical Center. “We suggest that adults visit by phone,” Mahone said.

Only one adult will be allowed with a patient in the Emergency Care Center.

People who are ill should not visit Halifax Regional, unless they are seeking treatment. Those who do visit should use proper hand hygiene. the Medical Center has placed hand sanitizers at the main, outpatient and Emergency Care Center entrances.

“Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person by coughing and/or sneezing,” said Susan Bullock, infection control nurse.  “Sometimes you may catch the flu by touching something that has been infected with the virus and then you touch your nose or mouth.”

Halifax Regional recommends anyone with flu symptoms stay home and avoid contact with others as possible.

Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, fatigue, running or stuffy nose, headache, diarrhea and vomiting.

“Most people will recover from the flu in about a week without any lasting effects,” Bullock said.

If you are sick, call your medical provider before seeking care in person.

“If you are at risk of complications or concerned about your illness, call your medical provider,” said Bullock.

Conditions such as diabetes, lung disease and others may cause you to become more seriously ill than others. When in doubt, call your health care provider.

If you must leave home, you should cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Stay away from work, school or community activities for 24 hours after your fever has returned to normal without medication.

You should come to the Emergency Care Center if you have the following conditions: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, flu-like symptoms that improve and then return with fever and more severe cough.

“The emergency room gives priority to people with true medical emergencies. more patients with mild cases of the flu increase the wait time for everyone,” Bullock explained. “Unless you are very sick, you probably do not need to come to the emergency room.”

For more information, visit halifaxregional.org.

(Reprinted with permission from Lance Martin, Publisher and Editor of rrspin.com.)