HPV - Cervical Cancer

First a story - I lost my best friend to cancer. It started with cervical and uterine cancer.

My best friend, Cindy, was due to have her baby six weeks after me. We went through pregnancy together...the ups, the downs, the joys, the sorrows... and when Kasia was a few weeks old, something horrible happened. Cindy went in for a checkup and found out her baby had died. One of the most horrible things that a woman can ever imagine. What does that have to do with cervical cancer? Not much...yet.

But then she suffered a few more losses (10 in all) - they did tests, etc. Some cells came back abnormal. She had cervical cancer, on top of a few other issues. She received chemo and ended up with multiple myeloma. The pain and suffering were unimaginable. She died just a year ago. She was 36 years old.

So that's our story...

Could it have all been prevented? Maybe. Maybe not. But here are a few things you can do to help prevent cervical cancer...in yourself and your children and grandchildren. Kasia has had her HPV shot. Em has a physical today and it will be discussed for her as well.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM HPV/CERVICAL CANCER?

While you’re learning about the HPV vaccine for your daughter…
…Learn about HPV testing to protect yourself from cervical cancer

HPV vaccines are for girls and young women ages 9–26 to help protect against the two types of HPV that are most commonly associated with cervical cancer. These vaccines are a powerful tool to help protect today’s girls — tomorrow’s generation of women — from cervical cancer.

But what tools are out there for women today who may be at risk? Learn about what you can do to protect yourself against cervical cancer:

• THE PAP TEST looks at a sample of cells taken from a woman's cervix for any cell changes or abnormalities. Pap testing should begin at age 21.

• THE HPV TEST is conducted from the same sample as the Pap and identifies women with high-risk HPV infections that can cause cervical cancer. When used with a Pap in women 30 and older, the HPV test increases the ability to identify who is at risk of developing cervical cancer.

• If you are age 30 or older, ask your doctor for the digene HPV Test together with your Pap test.

• If both tests come back normal, then the tests don’t need to be repeated for 3 years. But remember to return each year for your annual health exam.

• If one or both tests come back abnormal, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have cervical cancer. It simply enables your healthcare provider to monitor you more closely or treat pre-cancerous cells before cervical cancer develops.

• HPV testing isn’t necessary for women younger than 30, because HPV infections in young women usually go away on their own without causing problems. Women under 30 will only have HPV testing if their Pap test is inconclusive.

LINKS: HELPFUL WEB RESOURCES ON CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION

www.theHPVtest.com -Web site focuses on the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer through HPV screening and Pap testing. Site includes frequently-asked-questions, patient stories, and tips on “what your test results mean.”

o Follow us on Twitter: @HPVinformed

o Facebook page: http://bit.ly/HPVTestFB

www.theyellowumbrella.org – The Yellow Umbrella Organization is founded by cervical cancer survivor and “rocker” Christine Baze, who takes her music and story on the road to educate women about cancer prevention. Also, visit Christine’s www.savethehooch.org site to purchase a Yellow Umbrella make-up kit to raise money for cervical cancer prevention.

www.HealthyWomen.org - HealthyWomen is the nation’s leading independent health information source for women. Recently listed as one of Forbes’ top 100 websites for women, healthywomen.org has resources on many women’s health issues, including comprehensive info on cervical and gynecologic cancers.

www.pearlofwisdom.us - The Pearl of Wisdom™ Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer is a global partnership to raise awareness of tools for preventing cervical cancer and advocate for making them available to girls and women worldwide. Buy a pin, send an e-card, and download educational materials.

Trademarks: QIAGEN, digene (QIAGEN Group); Pearl of Wisdom™ (European Cervical Cancer
Association). ©2010 QIAGEN Group The digeneHPV Test

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the QIAGEN digene HPV test. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”