basic health: Pap Smear Screening For Cancer Of The Cervix

Pap smear screening for cancer of the cervix. cervix is the lower part of the uterus and into the birth canal. Contrary to what most women think of few women in the United States die each year from cancer of the cervix. Maybe you know a friend who had smears pre cancerous cervical condition known as dysplasia. You can even find a woman who has a condition called carcinoma in situ of the cervix, but the irregularities are not life threatening while the woman is under the care of a doctor and not ignore the state .

Pap test was developed by Dr. George Papanicolaou in 1954. This painless technique helped save tens of millions of people worldwide since its use has been popularized. smears are nothing more than a test for health professionals, which includes brushing and gentle removal of the cervical cells under the microscope by a cytologist led.

If you read this can be a woman who wants to learn more about Pap smears, or may be someone who has recently shot no abnormal Pap smears. Before starting he should put it on the prospects for cancer of the cervix. In 2005, the American Cancer Society reported that 662,870 American women died of all forms of cancer. Made up as follows:

79,560 deaths from lung cancer
56,660 deaths from colon cancer
40,410 deaths due to breast cancer
death of patients with rectal cancer 16 810
Deaths from cancer of the ovary 16,210
16,080 deaths from pancreatic cancer
Leukemia 10 030 deaths
Lymphoma 9680 deaths
7310 cancer deaths
the death of multiple myeloma 5640
Death in 4780 of stomach cancer
4640 deaths from cancer of the kidney
Deaths in 4210 bladder cancer
deaths from cancer of the cervix uteri 3710
Deaths in 3300 of cancer of the esophagus
2860 melanoma deaths

You can clearly see that although many women are afraid of cancer of the cervix uteri very few women die of this disease relatively. Therefore, the National Institute of Health lists cervical cancer is rare (remember that I am not talking about carcinoma in situ, almost 100% curable, but it differs from invasive cervical cancer !).

This is excellent news and means that visits to the doctor regularly is very important. Most women in the United States who die from cancer of the cervix are not regular Pap tests? So before you read to understand that Pap smears, which are already over 50 years, has invasive cervical cancer a rare disease and death from cancer of the cervix less often!

The last thing I want is a Pap test screening, not a definitive diagnosis. Smear help health professionals to identify women who need specific diagnostic tests such as colposcopy and biopsy of the cervix. If the test indicates the need to smear a woman needs further diagnostic tests to identify the real needs biopsy.

Yes, exactly what is cervical cancer? What should I do? What do we do?

Cervix is the lower part of the uterus. As you can see through the vagina using a vaginal speculum. During pregnancy, the cervix acts as a valve and keeps the uterus opening to the child is mature enough to be born. During childbirth the cervix is opened to about 10 cm (4 inches) and allows the child to enter the birth canal.

Cervix is covered with a thin skin called the epithelium. "The smooth surface is very similar to the type of tissue that covers the inside of the lips.

Cervix is the area where the two types of epithelial cells (think of this as similar to skin cells) to join. "Cache" the cervix is covered with cells called squamous cells. Squamous cells look like "omelette" arranged 6 or 8 deep. "Skins" inside the uterus is composed of columnar cells (these teams as being arranged in a column of cans of beer). Cervical contains sensitive areas in which these two cell types to include. This area is called the squamocolumnar junction or transition zone (T-Zone) and represents the transition from one cell to another type. An important part of knowing that he is clearly in the intersection or a column squamocolumnar transition zone that cancer occurs.

When should I get my first cervical smear and how often should I get one?

American Cancer Society recommends that receive their first smear at age 21 or over 3 years to become sexually active --- whichever comes first.

Since the cervical smear was adopted 50 years ago, this country has experienced a sharp decline in the number of women with cancer of the cervix. smears are performed each year. Women over 50 do not need a Pap smear every year, but should be considered each year by their health professionals in other cancers have become more common in women after menopause.

Pap smears are modern both painful and accurate. The cells are obtained can be checked if they are abnormal in appearance, and even the presence of cancer-causing viruses.

How common are abnormal Pap?

Approximately 55 million Pap smears are performed in the United States each year. 3.5 million of these Pap tests, or 6% are abnormal and require medical supervision. So just do it in perspective to remember that there are about 3,700 deaths from cancer of the cervix in our country each year. Yes, every death is due to cancer of the cervix is abnormal Pap test in 1000? Calm down .... You're not alone if you have abnormal smears.

What are the risk factors for abnormal Pap smears, especially changes before cancer?

Major risk factors are abnormal pap smear:

Sex at a young age (before 18)
Sexual intercourse with multiple sexual partners
Sexual intercourse with someone who has many partners
Sex with uncircumcised men
The history of chlamydia
Obese women
Multiple pregnancies
Smoking
HPV
Family history of cancer of the cervix

What types of disorders, which can detect cervical smear?

smear abnormalities in a range from very mild to those that are more concerns. Before the talks began Pap smears, but we need to discuss (a) for cervical cell abnormalities and (b) of these disorders, which resembles the biopsy.

Pap smear, however, is not a biopsy. Instead, it features a sample of cells that are normally secreted by the cervix and allow health professionals to know when a biopsy may be necessary. The definitive diagnosis of disorders with biopsies. Now, here's what Photomicrograph cytologist can see by looking at the abnormal cells.