Cervical Cancer

Question: What does cervical cancer vaccination do for me? If I get it, what exactly does it prevent? What are the benefits? Are there any downsides or any side effects to getting vaccinated for cervical cancer?

Answer: I am actually getting the shot. The vaccination is a dose of 3 shots, and what it does is help prevent against cervical cancer, hpv, and some other diseases. It is not a for sure thing, but at least you will be more protected than women that have not received the shot. I would recommend that you get it. As for the side effects well...I fainted after my second shot. The first one was fine, but the second one hurt really bad. However, I didn't eat before I was injected with it, so that may be why. Some other side effects are dizziness and nausea...typical side effects that could come along with any other shot. I'm going to get my third shot at the end of January, hopefully I don't faint after that one! I hope I helped! :)

Question: What do you think about the cervical cancer jab for girls the Government are discussing? This would be given to girls aged 12 to 13 in three doses over six months at a cost of £300 a course. The vaccine would help prevent cervical cancer as it protects against the STD, Human Pappillomavirus infection HPV which causes most cases of cervical cancer. The Government have agreed to it in principle but they have to review the costs to the NHS. Personally I think this jab can only be a good thing as so many women die of cervical cancer in this country (over 1000 a year) and if it helps to prevent it then that's great. The innoculations may start in Autumn 2008 and will not be compulsory. The Cervical Smear testing programme will continue as this jab won't protect against all strains of the HPV infection. There are HPV vaccines available now in the UK but haven't been approved for use by the Government. Some people apparently are worried this jab will increase promiscuity in young girls as it's given before they become sexually active. What do you think about this vaccination?

Answer: I think it's a shame that people are so hung up on the fact it will help protect the girls from HPV related cervical cancer. I have been immunized against hepatitis as well, and haven't felt the urge to abuse drugs and share needles at all. It's just too bad that people got all hung up on the whole sex issue. Especially seeing as the girls get HPV from a fellow who likely hasn't a clue that he's carrying it, and they can be in a monogamous relationship- married even, when she gets it from him. I have two daughters, in and near the age group, and as soon as I can have them immunized I plan to have it done. I'm for any jab that can keep my babies safe. If they become sexually active, I should hope the worst they suffered was a regret. Regret and broken hearts can be mended. HPV is not so easily fixed.

Question: Can cervical cancer prevent the pregnancy hormone from showing up on a pregnancy test? Pretty much can the cervical cancer or HPV make a pregnancy test be negative? I know the preg. test picks up the hormone to show it positive if your preg. but can the cancer alter the results?

Answer: I have HPV, and my pregnancy tests came up positive right as soon as I missed my period. Cancer won't alter the results either, if you're pregnant and your body creates the hormone, the cancer won't block it out.

Question: How is cervical cancer diagnosed and treated today and in the 90s? Recently, someone in my family said they had cervical cancer and was diagnosed 10 years ago. In the beginning, they said that the doctor performed a pap smear, and from this, diagnosed her with cervical cancer. He gave her 10 to 15 years to live and told her, "Live your life!". Apparently, in the 90's, their was no cure or even treatment for this form of cancer. However, after researching cervical cancer, I discovered that cervical cancer was typiclly caused by HPV, that a bioapsy must be performed in order to even diagnose this form of cancer, there are treatments, it's curable, and doctors typically give people 5-years to live upon diagnosis. I presented these facts to the person making this claim and was told that in the 90s there was no cure for this cancer...the terms she used to describe her diagnosis wasn't medical at all. What are the symptoms of cervical cancer? Ways it is diagnosed and treated? Was it treatable in the 90s? How can someone survive for 10-years?

Answer: Hi I am an Oncologist. The methods of treatment of cancer cervix were more or less same in 1990's as today, but that does not put anyone in bad picture,.. one has to see what it was then and what was actually advised, it is easy to point fingers. For e.g. very early cancer (carcinoma in situ) can be treated by a simple meathod of LLETZ which is an office procedure and life is normal after few hours, patient is cured for life and may not remember anything(least of all- any medical terms) after 10 years. You may speak to an oncologist in your area And with early disease one can be completely cured of cancer and continue to live more than 10years and may die of natural causes(as most of us will)

Question: What are the risks of living with cervical cancer without treatmentt? My friend Koty has cervical cancer and they charged her a $500 pap smear treatment, and she can't go back to get them or the treatment... So she just said she was just gunna let it go. What are the risks? Can she get rid of it without going to a doctor? I live in Phoenix, Arizona. And she got the cancer from HPV.

Answer: Does she have HPV (which can cause cervical cancer) or does she actually have cancer? The obviously answer is that if she has cancer, she will most likely die unless treatment begins. It's a very treatable cancer when it's detected and treated properly and early. If she has HPV and lets that go it CAN turn into cervical cancer. There should be state or local program to assist those who cannot afford medical care. She needs to go to a local planned parenthood or the health department and they will give her low cost health care and options for treatment.

Question: How do I help my friend who has just been diagnosed with cervical cancer? My friend is 35 and found out yesterday that she has cervical cancer. She says she threw up most of last night (not because she's sick, it's because she's so upset). I know that many people can overcome cervical cancer and that this is a cancer that can be treated. If you have any suggestions on how I can support her, that would be appreciated.

Answer: I'm sorry to hear about your friend. You just need to be there for her to listen, laugh, cry, take her to appointments, etc. The most important thing is to just spend time with her and do what feels right for you. You can offer to take her to appointments, ask her if she wants you to help her research options and things like that. It's really tough watching a loved one go through something like this but you will know what is right. You wont ever regret spending as much time as possible with her. Good Luck! If you ever want to talk, please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

Question: What is the relationship between plantars warts on the feet and cervical cancer? I read something about the HPV virus that causes plantar warts being connected to increased chances of cervical cancer?! I know HPV as related to genital warts can cause cancer, but if someone has plantar warts, should they be concerned about cancer?

Answer: You been reading a comic book? Coach

Question: What do you think of the relatively new cervical cancer vaccine? I am 16 years old, not sexually active, and considering getting the cervical cancer vaccine. My mom and I have talked about it, and she's talked to her gyno, and we all think it's a good idea to get it. Just wondering, for those who have already taken it, do you have any opinions on it? Thanks for the input! my understanding is that you don't necessarily have to have sex to get cervical cancer...just a small correction there

Answer: As far as I'm concerned it is really a bit of an issue, particularly with respect to young school age girls where the Gardasil vaccine is also being promoted strongly. This vaccination cannot be taken lightly and although it is said to provide protection for upto 85% of HPV, there seems to have been an insufficient length of time (approx. 5 years) of trials to determine any likely side effects. This and the fact that the trials where conducted by the manufacturerers themselves (Merck and GlaxoSmithKline) and not an independant body, is of concern in itself! Further the age of the study group was 15 -26 years, and yet it is being promoted to girls under 15 that have yet to reach puberty. What effect is this likely to have? Who knows? There are numerous articles on the safety and possible side effects and indeed the long term effectiveness of Gardasil to raise sufficient doubt in ones mind as to the necessity of having this particular vaccine. In all it appears that this drug was rushed through before full approval and in fact the FDA have stipulated for Merck to continue the monitoring and long term trial for girls under 15 years to confirm its safety. For us as parents there is sufficient doubt as to the safety that we postponed getting the vaccination for our daughter, until further studies and information comes to hand. Following are some links to articles on the vaccine which you may wish to read. Ultimately it comes down to a risk evaluation of your own self and if you believe that you may sufficiently at risk of contracting the disease and the precautions that you may need to take so as to minimise the risk.

Question: What would happen if a man had the cervical cancer jab? I know it's a silly question, but recently the girls in my school have had their jabs to protect against cervical cancer. And it got me thinking: what would happen if a man got that jab? Would it have no affect at all? Or would it have some horrible malforming side effects? Preferably I'd like an actual medical opinion rather than just a thought.

Answer: In an ideal world both men and women would get the vaccine, this would progressively reduce the potential pool of HPV infection. There was a similar situation for many years with Rubella immunisation, it was only given to girls, now it is given ta all within the MMR vaccine.

Question: Is there a relationship between cervical cancer and men that have not been circumcised? I have read there is a higher incidence of cervical cancer amoungst women that have intercourse on a regular basis with men that are not circumcised.

Answer: If a woman is having sex on a regular basis with multiple partners without contraception, then the men's circumcision status is essentially irrelevant. Cervical cancer is usually caused by infection of the HPV virus, although most of the time HPV does not escalate to cancer and it usually takes at least 10 years to do so. This means regular screening will identify any precancerous changes in the cervix. If men use a condom, this reduces the risk of a woman becoming infected with HPV. Vaccines which protect against the strains of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer have also been developed and licenced. Other factors which may increase your risk of cervical cancer are smoking, a weakened immune system, poor genital hygiene, and promiscuous sexual behavior. Using circumcision as a preventative method is pointless. It is also worth remembering that less than 0.01% of women are diagnosed with this disease each year.

Question: Cervical Cancer? I have cervical dysplasia and my doctor told me that certain foods can actually help cure it. He gave me a list of some things to eat and things not to eat. I have also read online that women with dysplasia and cancer should stay away from foods with Vitamin B6 in them. I plan to ask my doctor when I go back what foods have this and what foods don't but will have to wait 3 months. Does anyone know any foods that contain this vitamin?

Answer: Foods that have B6 include nuts, legumes, meat and whole grains. You should have at least 800 mg of vitamin E per day.

Question: What are some symptoms of cervical cancer? Well my question is really for someone out there who had been diagnosed with cervical or uterine cancer. I just wanted to know what made you go to the dr in the first place. What were your symptoms?

Answer: Hi I work for a website called http://icyou.com which has thousands of videos on a wide variety of health topics. I don't have cervical cancer myself but here is a link to a video we created that discusses the common signs and symptoms of cervical cancer: http://icyou.com/topics/cancer/common-si… Hope this helps you~

Question: Is the cervical Cancer injection you get at school really painful? Im going in to second year soon and that's when you get your cervical cancer jabs. I've heard its three needles in the arm. Its not the needles Im scared of, its the pain. :( So is it painful and how painful?

Answer: It's a minuscule pinprick that cannot even be classed as painful. You might get some local swelling and soreness at the injection site but it's nothing major. You are worrying over nothing.

Question: What are the symptoms of cervical cancer? im curious of what the symptoms are for cervical cancer. if u had it would u still have normal periods?

Answer: Most of the time there are no symptoms. You would still have a normal period. As it gets advanced you might have other bleeding.

Question: What type of medical check should one do after cervical cancer was cured? My mum in law had cervical cancer 2 years ago and she had an operation to remove all infected parts. She looks healthy now but I would like to bring her for some kinds of diagnostic medical check-up, can anyone suggest what type of medical check-up should I send her for?

Answer: I had the same type of cancer and the surgery. I have to see my gynoncologist at least once every 6 month, i just had a bone scan, I do a blood test called a CA 125 every 6 months, I have a mammogram yearly and I will have a CT scan every 6 months to a year. It will depend on the MD but I hope this helps.

Question: What are some of the symptoms of cervical cancer? I have a history of cancer in my family and one of the things I'm most worried about is Cervical Cancer. What exactly are the symptoms?

Answer: My best friend died this past august as a result of having cervical cancer. first and foremost, cervical cancer is the only cancer that you get as a result of being infected from a virus. The virus is HPV. there are 30 to 40 types of HPV genital types. But there are 2 types #16 and #18 )which cause 70-percent of cervical cancers. HPV TRANSMISSION—WHO GETS IT? Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects both females and males. HPV transmission can happen with any kind of sexual, genital contact with someone who has HPV—intercourse isn't necessary. Many people who have HPV don't even know it, since the virus often has no signs or symptoms. That means HPV transmission can happen without anyone knowing it. There are about 6 million new cases of genital HPV* in the United States each year. It's estimated that 74% of them occur in 15- to 24-year-olds. MY BEST friend was experiencing a lot of pain when she urinated. doctors kept treating her for kidney stones. her lower back ached a lot too. she became depressed and everyone thought she was being hypochondriac. Later on it turns out, the pain she was feeling...was the tumor pressing up against her ureters. This is why she felt she had to pee all the time and also explains her lower back pain. she described it as a very dull aching sensation. The best way to prevent this frm happening...is to just go to routine pap smears. That is what the pap smear is for. To see if there is any irregularity with your cells on your cervix. You should go every 6 months.--if my friend had gone to her pap smears regulary..she would most likely be here today...i miss her so much.' take care