Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among women in Thailand: 10,000 new cases each year, 14 women dieing each day.

A March to fight cervical cancer will be again held in Pattaya on August 13. call 02-716-6442 for more information. As can be seen from the map above, Thailand has less of a problem than some other countries. (Key to the map below to the right.)  Photo below on the right of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer. Read a previous article about the cervical cancer problem in Thailand’s rural areas here. Click button to listen to Fight Cervical Cancer to download

Join the fight against cervical cancer by Assoc Prof Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn

Cervical cancer, a disease in which malignant cells form in the cervix, is one of the most preventable types of cancer. although a screening programme using the Pap smear test has decreased the number of cases and deaths over the past 20 years, many women still develop cervical cancer. according to the National Cancer Institute (Thailand), cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in this country. it is estimated that there are almost 10,000 new cases each year, and almost 14 women die of this cancer each day. Cervical cancer usually develops quite slowly over time. the cells of the cervix go through a series of changes to become abnormal, a process called dysplasia. it may go away without treatment, but if dysplasia persists and is left untreated the cells may become cancerous. although symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge should alert most women that they need to consult a gynaecologist, early abnormal cellular changes can occur without any symptoms and may not be noticed until they become more severe. THE CAUSE the most common cause of cervical cancer is infection of the cervix with human papillomavirus (HPV). of the more than 80 types of HPV, about 30 types can infect the cervix and about half of these have been linked to cervical cancer. although cervical infections are common, only a very small number of women develop cervical cancer. HPV is spread mainly through sexual contact. although such infections can occur in any woman, those who become sexually active at a young age and who have many sexual partners run a greater risk of contracting infections and developing cervical cancer. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES HPV infection may be prevented by simply avoiding important risks. Refraining from sexual activity will greatly decrease the risk. But if you are sexually active, simply limit the number of sexual partners you have and always use a condom for protection against HPV and other diseases. a vaccine has been developed and approved for preventing infections by the two types of HPV that cause the most cervical cancer. it is effective in about 70 to 80% of cases and the protection it provides can last for six to eight years. the vaccine does not protect those who are already infected with HPV, however, so it is most effective when given to women before they become sexually active. While the vaccine is helpful, regular pelvic exams and Pap smear tests are still the best defence against cervical cancer. a Pap smear tests can detect early changes in cells before they turn cancerous. Experts still recommend that women have a yearly check-up, so it would be best to make it part of your routine. Similar to other cancers, the earlier cervical cancer is detected, the greater the chance of curing it. Smoking increases your risk of developing many cancers, including cervical cancer. Smoking combined with an HPV infection can actually accelerate cervical dysplasia. your best bet is to kick the habit. COME JOIN THE FIGHT the Thai Gynecologic Cancer Society, led by Dr Chaiyod Thirapakawong, is an organisation at the forefront of the fight against cervical cancer in Thailand. to follow up on the success of last year’s effort, the March to Fight Cervical Cancer will be again held in Pattaya on August 13. the event is intended to raise public awareness about the disease and provide accurate information on ways to prevent it. there is no charge for joining the march and everyone is welcome to take part. call 02-716-6442 for more information. Assoc Prof Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn is a member of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital (Source: Bangkok Post, INTOUCH, Join the fight against cervical cancer, 2/08/2011, Assoc Prof Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn, link) Health Vocabulary uterus – the part of a woman’s body in which babies grow in their mothers before they are born; the womb (See Wikipedia) cervix (noun) – “the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina” (See Wikipedia) cervical (adjective)  cancer (noun) – “any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division; it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood stream” (See Wikipedia and Google Definitions) cancerous (adjective)   malignant – “the tendency of a medical condition, especially tumors, to become progressively worse and to potentially result in death” (See Wikipedia) tumour – “a swelling or enlargement caused by overgrowth of cells within the body or any organ of the body”(See Wikipedia and Google Definitions) treatment – the process of providing medical care ???????? process – a series of actions that you take in order to achieve a result ?????????????, ??????, ??????? cervical cancer – a cancer in the cervix area of women, “Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a necessary factor in the development of almost all cases of cervical cancer.” (See Wikipedia) Human papillomavirus (HPV) – a virus that transmitted from one person to another during sex, can cause warts and certain kinds of cancers (See Wikipedia) Human papillomavirus vaccine – a vaccine that “may prevent infection with certain species of human papillomavirus associated with the development of cervical cancer, genital warts, and some less common cancers” (See Wikipedia) vaccine – an injection that helps a body fight and resist a disease, “a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. a vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins. the agent stimulates the body’s immune system to recognize the agent as foreign, destroy it, and “remember” it, so that the immune system can more easily recognize and destroy any of these microorganisms that it later encounters” (See Wikipedia) infected – having a disease transmitted from someone else ???????????? infection (noun) – when a disease spreads (is transmitted) from one person to another cervical infection – when a disease spreads into the cervical area of a woman abnormal – not usual or typical ??????? ????????? dysplasia – the enlargement of an organ or tissue by the growth (proliferation) of abnormal cells, can be an early stage in the development of cancer, also called a “malformation” or “abnormality of development” (See Wikipedia)cell (noun) – the smallest structural unit or building block of living things (plants, animal, bacteria) ?????, ?????????????????????????? (organs made of tissues made of cells made of biochemical molecules) cellular (adjective)  cellular changes malignant cells – cancer cells, when cells grow out of control and are likely to cause death if not stopped  screening – checking for problems, safety, or suitability smear – to spread a soft of liquid substance over a surface in an untidy way ????????? pap smear - a test used to find out if a person has cervical cancer (See Wikipedia) common – happening often, seen often, happens with high frequency most common cancer – the cancer thathappens most often, seen most often, has highest frequency series – 1st change, then 2nd change, then 3rd change, ….. etc (many things, happening one after another) vagina (noun) -  when a child is born, the passageway through which the child leaves the body of the mother and enters the world ???????? (See Wikipedia) vaginal (adjective) – having to do with the “vagina” discharge – to send out a substance, especially liquid or gas ????????, ?????? vaginal discharge – when some substance comes out of the vagina (sign of disease) alert – a warning to people to be prepared to deal with something dangerous ?????????????? ???????????????? symptoms – something that is wrong with your body that shows that you are sick (a sign of disease or illness) severe – very serious and worrying ????????? ?????????????? X linked to Y – connected ????????? (X causes Y or Y causes X or they both usually happen together at the same time) linked – connected ????????? ????????? spread – to (cause to) cover, reach or have an effect on a wider or increasing area or number of people ????????????, ???????????????? disease spreads  – the disease passes from people sick with the disease to other people (they come in contact with) contact – touching or coming close to or near to ?????? inter – between two things intercourse – interaction between two things sexual intercourse – sex as an interaction between two things (the long way to say “sex”) (See Wikipedia and synonyms) sex (noun) – same as “sexual intercourse” sexual (adjective) – having to do with “sex” (adjectives modify nouns) sexually (adverb) – in a sexual way (adverbs modify adjectives and verbs) sexual contact – includes sex and all forms of touching leading up to sex (See Google Definitions) sexual activity – includes ssex and activities leading up to sex refraining from sexual activity – don’t have sex (or do anything that is likely to lead to sex, if you lose control) sexually-active – currently having sex (at least sometimes) sexually inactive – never have sex (due to age, religious belief, lack of interest, disease, etc)sexual partners -other people that you have sex with limit the number of sexual partners – don’t have sex with too many people (one “sexual partner” is the usual safe number) risk – danger, how likely or possible it is for a bad event that causes harm and damage ?????????? run a risk of Y – get in a situation or do something that is dangerous (with risk) contract an infection – get an infection, get infected with a disease run a greater risk of contracting infections and developing cervical cancer – make it more likely to get the disease cervical cancer vaccine – a substance which contains a form that is not harmful of a virus or bacterium (= extremely small organism) and which is given to a person or animal to prevent them from getting the disease which the virus or bacterium causes ?????? effective – works well, gets the job done; producing the result that was intended ??????? check-up – going to the doctor to have the doctor check for health problems gynaecologist – a doctor who is a specialist in treating women’s health problems (See Wikipedia) pelvis (noun) – the hip bone; the part of the body that connects the spinal chord to the legs ?????????????? (See Wikipedia and Google Images) pelvic (adjective) pelvic exam – when a gynaecologist checks the pelvis area of a woman for any medical problems(See Wikipedia) regular pelvic exams – having a “pelvic exam” every year or two years (how often your doctor orders) defence – something you say to support someone or something that is being criticised or charged ????????? ?????????? defence – something you say to support someone or something that is being criticised ?????? ??????? detect – to find or prove that something is present using scientific methods ????? to notice, to discover or find out ?????, ?????? detect cervical cancer – find out if you have cervical cancer or (hopefully) not recommend – to advise someone that they should do something ????? routine – the usual series of tasks that are done as part or a job or work ??????? make it part of your routine – add the task or activity to the list of things you normally do everyday detected – noticed, discovered or found out ?????? ????? chance – what happens when you don’t control events (example: gambling = games of chance) accelerate – go faster and faster , at an increasing rate to cause to happen more quickly ???? accelerate cervical dysplasia – make the cervical dysplasia grow and develop faster (making it more dangerous) habit – usually a “bad habit” such as smoking, drinking a lot, picking your nose, scratching your butt, not zipping your pants, etc kick the habit – stop doing the “bad habit” (example: stop smoking, stop drinking or at least drink in moderation)  at the forefront of – among the people most advanced in an activity (trying the hardest; making the greatest effort) at the forefront of the fight against cervical cancer – among those people working hardest to fight the disease cervical cancer effort – an attempt to do something; the energy and enthusiasm that people put into an activity ?????????? awareness – the state of knowing about something ?????????, ??????? the public (noun) – all the people in a country or society public (adjective) public awareness – many people in the country knowing about some important issue (example: public awareness about smoking causing cancer seems to be low because so many smoke) raise public awareness about the disease – teach people about the disease, so they know that it exists and why it is important intended – planned; wanted to happen ??????????????? ???????????????????? provide – to give someone something that they want or need accurate – correct, exact and without any mistakes ???????, ?????? provide accurate information – give people information that is plain, simple and true (no marketing glitz, advertisement, trying hard to persuade by only presenting one side of the story) no charge – free

Latest stories in this category:

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is so common that one out of every two sexually active adults has been infected with one or more of the approximately 100 types of HPV, only 30 of which are transmitted sexually.

Most of these are benign, but some can cause genital warts, while others can cause cervical cancer—a disease that can be halted in its very early stages by a gentle, painless scraping of the cervix known as a Pap smear, generally recommended annually.

What is an abnormal Pap test?

A Pap test, or Pap smear, is part of a woman’s routine physical exam. it is the best way to prevent cervical cancer, because it can find cells on your cervix that could turn into cancer. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

When your doctor says that your Pap test was “abnormal,” it means that the test found some cells on your cervix that do not look normal. it does not mean that you have cancer. in fact, the chances that you have cancer are very small.

What causes an abnormal Pap test?

Most of the time, abnormal cell changes on the cervix are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. Usually these cell changes go away on their own. but certain types of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer. That’s why it’s important for women to have regular Pap tests. it takes many years for cell changes in the cervix to turn into cancer.

Sometimes cell changes in the cervix are due to other types of infection, such as infections caused by bacteria or yeast. these types of cell changes can be treated. in women who have been through menopause, a Pap test may find cell changes that are just the result of getting older.

What increases your risk for an abnormal Pap test?

High-risk sex raises your chances of getting HPV and having an abnormal Pap test. High-risk sex includes having sex without condoms and having more than one sex partner (or having a sex partner who has other partners).

HPV can stay in your body for many years without your knowing it. so even if you now have just one partner and practice safe sex, you could still have an abnormal Pap test if you were exposed to HPV in the past.

Smoking or having an impaired immune system also may raise your chances of having cell changes in your cervix.

Do abnormal cell changes cause symptoms?

The cell changes themselves don’t cause symptoms. HPV, which causes most abnormal Pap tests, usually doesn’t cause symptoms either. This is why regular Pap tests are so important.

If a different sexually transmitted disease or infection is the cause of your abnormal Pap test, you may have symptoms, including:

• A discharge from the vagina that isn’t normal for you, such as a change in the amount, color, odor, or texture.
• Pain, burning, or itching in your pelvic or genital area when you urinate or have sex.
• Sores, lumps, blisters, rashes, or warts on or around your genitals.

What will you need to do if you have an abnormal Pap test?

You will need more tests to find out if you have an infection or to find out how severe the cell changes are. these tests may include:

• Colposcopy, a test to look at the vagina and cervix through a lighted magnifying tool.
• An HPV test. like a Pap test, an HPV test is done on a sample of cells taken from the cervix.
• Another Pap test in 4 to 6 months.

A colposcopy is usually done before any treatment is given. During a colposcopy, the doctor also takes a small sample of tissue from the cervix so that it can be looked at under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.

Treatment, if any, will depend on whether your abnormal cell changes are mild, moderate, or severe. in moderate to severe cases, you may have treatment to destroy or remove the abnormal cells.

continued…… cancel her appointment to discuss treatment options. how early(age wise) is it possible for a female to get cervical cancer and what are the symptoms?

any other informative information about cervical cancer is appreciated as well.

Extremely unlikely. it takes several years after infection of the Human Papilloma Virus to take hold and then the abnormal cells have to mutate into cancer. This all takes time. Cervical cancer screening is typically recommended starting three years or more after first sex, or starting at age 21 to 25. Recommendations for how often a Pap smear should be done vary from once a year to once every five years, in the absence of abnormal results. Guidelines vary on how long to continue screening, but well screened women who have not had abnormal smears can stop screening about age 60 to 70.
Of course you can cancel your appt with the doctors but why would you, Cancer is a life threatening issue and is the number one priority in your life after your diagnosis. you don't just blow off your appointments with your oncologist.
Here is a wikipedia link with much more info on the topic, good Luck!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_ca…

Can they be diagnosed by a general practitioner in a physical ?

The General probably can refer you to a blood testing center and they can handle it from there. So yes they can diagonose you with an std based on the blood test. Or for females go to the OB/GYN he can diagnose you with simply a pap smear. some symtoms include
-stink discharge
-colored discharged such as yellow, grey, green
-abdominal pain
-some std cause you to have yeast infections, so u might be itchy. just depends

My pap smear came back as having abnormal cells on my cervix and the P.a. said it looked like it was likely cancer… Ive researched it some but at 19 years old I just cant bear to read any more.. if youve had it Id just like to know what your symptoms felt like and what youd suggest.

There are no symptoms unless it is advanced.
Survival depends on the stage and the 5 year survival rate ranges from 100-5%

I havent been active for nearly a year. I had a pap-smear done and i was shocked when it came back positive for chlamydia. a guy performed oral sex on me the day before i got the results. what are the chances that he contracted it? how soon do symptoms of throat chlamydia show up?

chlamydia is one of those STD's that can go a while wihtout being detected, cause there are no real symptoms. Although, it only takes 6 weeks of pills and no sex to clear it up. I would recommend he gets checked out for it. If he contracted it it would show up on a dr test already.

There is no 100% / 0% when it comes to STD's

The best option sadly is to face the music and tell him that it may be in his best interest to get tested.
If not he could go on to infect other people without knowing.

• IVA

  IVA is the abbreviation of Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid. Examination method and applying a cervical or cervix with acetic acid. Then observe whether there is any abnormality such as a white area. If no color change, then it can be no infection in the cervix. you can do at the health center with a relatively cheap price. this can be done only for early detection. If you detect any suspicious signs, the other detection methods should be done further.

• Pap smear

  Pap smear test methods in common: the doctor uses a scraper or brush to remove a small sample of cells of the cervix or cervix. Then these cells will be analyzed in the laboratory. the test can reveal whether there is infection, inflammation, or abnormal cells. According to reports the world, with regular Pap smear tests have reduced the number of deaths from cervical cancer.

• Thin prep

  Method of Thin prep is more accurate than Pap smears. If a Pap smear only take some of the cells in the cervix or cervix, the thin prep will inspect all parts of the cervix or uterus. Of course the result will be far more accurate and precise.

• Colposcopy

  If all test results on the previous method showed the presence of infection or anomalies, colposcopy procedure will be done by using a tool equipped with a magnifying lens to observe the infected part. the aim is to determine whether there are lesions or abnormal tissue in the cervix or cervix. If there is abnormal, a biopsy – taking a small amount of tissue from the body – made and treatment for cervical cancer begin.

The precursor to cervical cancer is HPV. Human papilloma virus or genital warts/anal warts. unfortunately not all strains of HPV actually cause warts which is also why you should have annual Pap smears. for females between 16-26, the Gardasil is a fantastic option. if you are concerned about the possibility of HPV, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible and if you are free and clear get the shot. even if you are not sexually active, you should get the shot because from what I was told you cannot get it after age 26, apparently it is not effective. Protect yourself. Go see your doctor.

Sometimes there are no symptoms. the best way for early detection is to get a PAP smear. the presence of abnormal cells would be a first indication that something is wrong although it doesn't always indicate cancer. please get a PAP smear. the results only take about a week to get and it is the best way to find out.

none until disease has spread to other areas or the cervix is very diseased and almost rotting. that's why you have to get a pap smear yearly

Before you were diagnosed with cervical cancer (or someone you know was) what symptoms did you have? I have read numerous websites about the symptoms of advanced cervical cancer that do not go into much details.

I need details about the leg pain, back pain, urinary problems, abnormal bleeding and pain during intercourse.

Also at what stage did you find out it was cancer and not dysplasia? The pap smear, colposcopy, biopsy or even later?

Heavy bleeding during monthly, also it was painful for that time a month more then normal.
That was the only sign I had, but I was in early part of Cancer and it was removed about 5years ago and no trouble since.

• Text size
•  
•  

Dubai-UAE: 7 December, 2010 – The Abu Dhabi-based Family Development Foundation (FDF) today successfully concluded its awareness programme on the prevention of cervical cancer and HPV-related diseases, drawing the participation of more than 150 women of different nationalities and age groups.

Maitha Al Ameri, Head of Health Education Section, FDF, said: “The educational sessions attracted women from varied social backgrounds. in delivering this programme, we have come a step closer to raising awareness on cervical cancer and HPV-related diseases. we aim to continue providing sessions of similar nature in order to create maximum outreach, in line with our strategic priorities.”

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common life-threatening cancer among women after breast cancer with an incidence rate of 4.8 per 100,000 women a year in the Middle East and 9.9 per 100,000 women in the UAE. The UAE’s Cancer Registry Program revealed that the annual average of the reported cervical cancer cases tripled in 2005 when compared to the period 1998-2004. HPV types 16 and 18 cause approximately 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases.

In the early stages, cervical cancer may not indicate any symptoms, but if caught early is almost 100 per cent curable. Regular pap smear tests significantly help the early detection of cervical cancer – a reason why experts recommend regular gynecological checkups. The test is a quick, painless and hassle-free procedure that is credited with significantly reducing cervical cancer deaths since its widespread use in the 1950s.

Cervical cancer, one of around 200 different types of cancer, results from the abnormal growth and division of cells that make up the cervix. it is caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common type that infects a majority of people at some point in their lives. The exact cause of cervical cancer is still unknown and symptoms do not appear until it reaches an advanced stage, when the disease becomes incurable.

For further information, please contact:Maya El-HachemAccount ManagerJiwin Public RelationsTel: 00971 4 3692925Email:

© Press Release 2010