Friends,<BR>I'm going to post this on several of the boards. When is the last time you, your wife, mom, sisters, daughters had her Pap Smear? Find out and send them in.<BR>I just had to tell a beautiful 32 year old woman that she has cancer of the cervix...not a pre-cancerous lesion but the real thing. Why? Because she has been too busy in the last 9 years since her child was born to get in for an annual exam. Why is this a tragedy...because it never had to happen. Bear with me for the lecture..I'll make it short.<BR>Pap Smears pick up changes that happen gradually over the years...they don't just say "cancer" or "no cancer". They say things like "low grade lesions" or "high grade lesions" or "suspicious lesions". Some times they say ASCUS which is a pathologist's way of saying "probably nothing, but check it out anyway." All of the above can usually be fixed right in the office, or may need a minor procedure in the hospital....the point is get in there regularly and get checked.<BR>The main cause for the increase in abnormal Pap Smears is the Human Papilloma Virus...it is found in almost all cancers of the cervix...how do we get HPV? By having sex with multiple partners, or having sex with someone who has multiple partners...why are we here? Because our partner had sex with someone else. If you've contracted the virus when will it show up? Anytime it wants to...this year, next year..5 years from now....so get in and get checked. Yearly...Period.<BR>I know all the excuses, have used them all at some point in my life...hey, I'm on the other end of the speculum daily and I HATE going in for mine...but JUST DO IT!!!!<BR>T

While we're at it... why not have a mammogram too?<P>I have a friend, who at 33, found herself at the receiving end of a mastectomy and reconstruction. My friend was so young they couldn't believe it was cancer (times they are a changin' though, too many young women get it ) <P>My mother is a breast cancer survivor also. She was misdiagnosed (at first) because she had an unusual type of cancer (again, times are changing as doctor's see more of her type!).<P>Further, MEN can get breast cancer too!!!! Men, let your wives check your breast tissue!!<P>Hope it's okay to jump in here... <P>------------------<BR>~Sheryl<P>And we know. We who have seen. ~Pellegrino

Yup. yup. yup...check those breasts every month at home..right after your period..If you don't know how, ask your gyne..they'll teach you..most ladies don't feel an actually lump, they come in because "something feels different"..the point of both of these discussions is to catch stuff early!!!<BR>T

Does HPV and Cancer of the Cervix mainly come from sex with multiple partners. I want to tell my wife this but I want to be sure this is accurate information. Any links to some web page somewhere on this?<P>Never mind, found a link: <A HREF="http://www.thedailyapple.com/target/cs/article/cs/100277.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.thedailyapple.com/target/cs/article/cs/100277.html</A> <p>[This message has been edited by Rodger (edited June 11, 2001).]

Good recommendation, along with those STD screens, post affair, just to make sure.<P>I just got my pap results back, I was expecting another abnormal because unusual bleeding, etc, but it came back normal. No sign of the HPV I had a couple years ago (probably from the OW, when my H told her, she said HPV is very common--not exactly the comment of someone receiving a nasty surprise, is it?). I was told since it is a virus it can go into remission or disappear for long periods. And I've had 3 ok HIV tests in the past 3 years, so I think I'm pretty safe. <P>I hate to go to the Gyn even when I think there is something wrong. But it is a good feeling when it turns out ok, & if it doesn't, there is always a plan of action to follow...more tests or surgery or meds.

Lor..<BR>Hate to side with the OW, but unfortunately she's right..HPV is very common, and getting more so. It is a virus that stays in your system, but can reactivate at anytime, so stick with those yearly exams.<BR>How common is it? In 1990, if I did 100 pap smears I would get maybe 3-5 back with evidence of HPV. In 2000, for every 100 papmears I get 15-20. <BR>T

While not in the medical profession, I appreciate this thread. Another thing(s) to women should watch for:<P>Fybroid Tumors, Endometriosis & Ovarian Cysts<P>Just came back from the GYN and while taking the standard tests now found out about fybroid tumors. Very common occurance and usually beneign nonetheless could be an irritation as in my case quite painful. Having to be monitored carefully at this time. Another thing to watch for is endometriosis (not sure of the spelling) and ovarian cysts. <P>I don't want to scare anyone. I read a good book by Dr. Vick Hufnagel called No more Hysterectomies. While these conditions are not related to STDs, we all still need to be aware. <P>A good friend of mine had all 3 conditions and was bedridden for 1 week every month for over 3 years. Some doctor's told her she needed to 'get laid' to get better (she was not married at the time). Then just before her wedding she found this book and doctor, it was properly diagnosed, operated on and she had no further problems. Actually that was the 2nd friend that had that diagnosis about 'getting laid' from a GYN no less. It turned out to be the same diagnosis. Hmmmph......<P>This is my 2nd occurance. My first doctor used Dr. Hufnagels technique in 92 and I was able to deliver a healthy baby boy in 94. My doctor said my baby was his letter of recommendation that the surgery went well, you see it was not a hysterectomy but just the tumor & cyst removal along with all the seedlings. <P>I urge all women to get themselves checked out annually and don't take the doctor's word for it that it will go away. Mine did not. In fact, it was found out in Dec 91, Feb 92 I was told to monitor it for 6 months (size of a walnut) but May 92, I had surgery, it had split from 1 to 5 tumors and growing though benign. This is nothing to take lightly. <P>I may not have explained it correctly since I am not a doctor. This is just how I understand it. Do your own research and learn all you can. <P>L.<P>

I have to confess - I'm not a diligent self examiner,and my Dad's mom died of BC, and my Dad died of prostate cancer at the age of 47! So, I know I should be more active in self examination. But I AM going for my annual pap and exam next week!! Made the appointment a couple of weeks ago.<BR>