Hpv Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Last Updated on Saturday, 22 October 2011 01:28 Written by Natural Health Team Saturday, 22 October 2011 01:28

Health Information about Hpv Cervical Cancer Symptoms

I survived a rare and aggressive cancer called Small Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix, or SCCC. Hpv Cervical Cancer Symptoms It is a rare form of cervical cancer and although Small Cell Cancer is not rare in the liver, lung or brain; it is extremely rare when it originates in the cervix.

My purpose of this article is to help women who have been diagnosed with this disease find information they are searching for (there is almost nothing about it on the web) and give them hope that they can make this journey just like I did.

First let me start by reminding everyone that I am not a doctor and I do not have all of the answers. This is information I was able to find on my own and by asking questions. Please ALWAYS consult your health care professional before making any assumptions about your diagnosis or prognosis. We are all different and respond differently to treatment. What was right for me and my body, may not be what you need. This is just a starting point; A place to go and read about someone who has survived. My wish is to be able to give you the hope to sustain yourself through this journey and come out the other end, cancer free. I hope you find this article helpful.

Like I said, I asked questions. Where I live, they had a hard time diagnosing my tumor as it had never been seen by any of the doctors that were examining me. Cervical Cancer, as we know from all the HPV commercials out there, are usually caused by this sexually transmitted disease. They have even linked a certain strain (HPV 18) that is not as common as other HPV’s, to SCCC. However, I did not have any form of HPV. I had just had my well woman exam 10 months earlier (no sign of anything wrong)and I was not scheduled for another for 2 more months. That’s how fast and aggressive this cancer is. Unlike other forms of cervical cancer that take years to develop and can be headed off when a PAP comes back abnormal, there were no such warning signs. Female cancer ran ramped in my biological family, so I was pretty persistent about making all of my doctor appointments. I had been under a tremendous amount of stress for some time and we were in the middle of moving back to our home town when I started to notice symptoms. I had a discharge. There was no odor and no color and it was very infrequent and really caused me no issues. I asked a friend in the health care field what she thought and she said it could be hormones or stress. I dismissed it as I had more pressing issues to deal with. Two months went by and the discharge was more frequent and had an odor. I was home, so I decided to go and see my trusted and true Physician. Not a moment too soon. I did not have irregular bleeding or pain with intercourse. I understand that these are some of the symptoms that other women have suffered. I had a huge black tumor inside me. It had started to kill of the tissue and looked to be very advanced. I had several PET CT scans and an MRI over the next week. I searched and searched on the web for information while I waited for the pathology to come back and tell us what form of cervical cancer this was. There was one article on SCCC but I wasn’t looking for it at the time. Everything about the more common forms of the cancer did not fit. I went to my Well Woman exams every year faithfully. Something would have shown up before this. Maybe not, but I thought it had to have shown up before now if it were of the more common variety. I went back and found the one article on SCCC and prayed it wasn’t this form.

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It was. Because all the doctors that had examined me (4 in all); were not able to see the difference between the tumors, made me weary. Not so much of their ability to treat me, but I felt if they had never seen it or dealt with it, how would they ever know how to treat it. I searched again to find the one article I had come across before. I read it more intently this time. The prognosis was horrible. It wasn’t giving me 5 or 10 years; it was basically saying that I had a year or two and almost no chance of ever being cancer free. No one really knew much about the disease. Because it was so rare, there really was no data on it and no one could give me a good (or bad prognosis). What my doctors did say was that I was young and strong and they would fight it with whatever I could take. If I could get rid of it completely the first time around, I had a good chance of surviving. If I could stay cancer free past the 18 month mark after the end of my treatment, I had a great chance of being cured.

I went ahead and did some research into Small Cell of the liver, Lung and brain. What I found out was that it responded well to chemo coupled with radiation. My doctors of course already knew this and that was the plan. The one thing that hung heavy on my mind was surgery. The usual plan of attack for all cervical cancer was a hysterectomy first, heal, then start treatment. But when the small cell was in other places, no surgery was done; the patients went right into treatment. Remember, this cancer is aggressive and moves fast. The women in the article that I read….. That hadn’t fared well, all had hysterectomies first. I did not want a hysterectomy. I asked my doctor the day we discussed my treatment plan; “Would you operate if this were Small Cell of the liver, lung or brain”? His answer was “No”. I did not have a hysterectomy and although there is no medical data to support my feeling on this, I believe that decision saved my life. Like I said before; check with you doctor. I am not telling anyone not to have a hysterectomy. For me….it was right. I will have one eventually as keeping all of that inside of me only raises the chances of recurrence in that area.

It has been 18 months since the end of my treatment. It has been 17 months since I was officially “cancer free”. My next PET CT will be in November and at that point, if I am still “cancer free”, I will have definitely beaten the odds. They tell me this type of cancer likes to come back and the target period is usually 6 to 18 months after treatment. So, OK….I have already won that battle. But it could come back at any time. The doctors want to see me cancer free for 5 years. Some information says 3 years. But for me…… Even if it does come back…I’ll fight it again…and I will win! I have no expiration date and I can’t let statistics dictate my survival. They are making strides every day. They hit me with everything my body could take and there were days I could barely get out of bed. But I am good now. Recovery from the treatment has been rough, but no matter, I will do it all again if I have to. I plan to stay cancer free, but I want everyone to know that attitude is key to survival. Keep your chin up. Be stronger than the cancer. It’s just a “thing” and you are a human being. You are stronger than anything that may come your way. Dig deep down and you will find the strength inside of you.

Because this disease is so rare, I found myself feeling alone and isolated. I could relate to women with other female cancers, but only on a certain level. No one had what I had. There was so much uncertainty involved with this disease that I felt no one could understand. When I was first diagnosed I found a message board on a website called cancercompass.com. I went back to the message board a few months ago. The women and family members who had been posting were not around. I could read and see that some had not survived and maybe others I thought, had just moved on, not wanting to think about it anymore. I posted a message saying “I am here and cancer free”. A couple of months later I heard from another woman who was also cancer free; about 1 year since the end of her treatment. We started to email each other and we have become fast friends. Our lives are very similar, but very different at the same time. She did not have a hysterectomy either, but the biggest similarity is that our birthdays are on the same day. Her name is Melanie. I live in California and she in Michigan, but I can tell her things I have never said out loud. I am thankful for her and she is grateful for me.

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Early Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 October 2011 09:28 Written by Natural Health Team Thursday, 20 October 2011 09:28

Health Information about Early Cervical Cancer Symptoms

In a revolutionary age where media campaigning has tremendous power and potential to infiltrate thinking and ideas on national and global scales, distinguishing fact from emotion becomes a confronting, yet subtle dilemma.

Early Cervical Cancer Symptoms

The platform for the introduction of these 2 new HPV vaccines onto the worldwide market has been on the basis of the threat and risk of cervical cancer, and has presented the same dilemma to potential recipients of these vaccines.

The problem is, although facts are a far more logical basis on which to make such a decision, emotion is often a far more powerful motivator for action or compliance in situations where health is the prime factor. And in this situation, the fear of cervical cancer has formed a very solid basis for the HPV vaccine campaigns.

There’s certainly no question that cervical cancer disease ‘can” and ‘does’ have serious (sometimes fatal) outcomes. However equally so, ‘any”medical procedure, artificial drug, pharmaceutical product or vaccine by its very nature also carries with it varying degrees of risk – both temporary and permanent. This includes the HPV vaccines.

The unfortunate truth is that the bulk of media campaigning and information disseminated to the public has avoided, disguised or cleverly side-stepped pointing out the facts and health risks associated with the actual vaccines, which to date have included (but are not limited to): loss of consciousness, paralysis, Guillain Barre Syndrome, hospitalisation, permanent disability and death.

The questions any female or parent (of daughters) considering this vaccine needs to ask themselves are these:

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‘Is’ cervical cancer as widespread and as serious a health risk as portrayed in media campaigns and by our health authorities? Is it merely coincidence that solid media campaigns against cervical cancer disease have been hand-in-hand with the introduction of these vaccines? Have all the facts regarding all the risks of both the disease and the vaccine been accurately revealed?

The challenge for any potential recipient, is in identifying the true facts about the risk of cervical cancer versus the associated risks and benefits of the vaccine. Unfortunately, many recipients of these vaccines have based their decision on limited information provided in media campaigning that has ignored ‘all’ the facts – resulting in decisions made on emotion rather than sound logical judgment.

Tragically in many cases, the associated health risks of the vaccine has resulted in more devastating and irreversible outcomes than an actual cervical cancer diagnosis. As challenging as it might be, you owe it to yourself to research the facts before deciding whether or not these vaccines are of benefit, and whether these benefits outweigh any potential risks.

By basing your decision on fact, not fear, – your decision will be an informed one, and the one that’s right for you in your individual situation. Whatever you decide, make it an informed one.

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Vicky Darden is a cervical cancer survivor and is now an active advocate for cancer awareness. Visit the Facing Cancer Together site: www.facingcancertogether.witf.org

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Initial Treatment For Cervical Cancer

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 11:27 Written by Natural Health Team Wednesday, 19 October 2011 11:27

Health Information about Initial Treatment For Cervical Cancer

If you have recently been diagnosed with cervical cancer, you may experience a wide variety of emotions in reaction to your diagnosis. Most women will feel some denial, anger, and grief. Talking with other women who have had similar feelings after a diagnosis such as yours can help you accept and deal with your disease.

There is no “normal” or “right” way to react to a diagnosis of cancer. You can take steps, though, to manage your emotional reactions to learning that you have cervical cancer. Some women find that talking with family and friends is comforting, while others may need to spend time alone to understand their feelings about their disease.

If your emotions are interfering with your ability to make decisions about your health and to move forward with your life, it is important to talk with your doctor. Your cancer treatment center may offer counseling services. The choice of treatment and the long-term outcome of cervical cancer depends on the type and stage of cancer. Your age, overall health, quality of life, and desire to be able to have children must also be considered.

Treatment choices for cervical cancer may be a single therapy or a combination of therapies, such as: cone bispsy to remove the cancer; simple hysterectomy to remove the uterus and cervix; modified radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection to remove the cancer; radiation therapy; chemotherapy; radical trachelectomy to remove the cervix and the pelvic lymph nodes.

Chemotherapy may be given at the same time as radiation therapy. It improves survival rates in stages IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and IVA cervical cancer without significantly increasing the side effects of either treatment. It may also improve survival rates in stages IB and IIA for women with large tumors. Compared with radiation alone, it improves survival and is usually used as the primary therapy or after a hysterectomy.

Microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma ( stage IA1) with minimal invasion into deeper cell layers is the most treatable stage with the highest survival rates. This stage is treated with a cone biopsy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) or simple hysterectomy. Five-year survival rates are close to 100%. Your doctor can talk to you about your treatment choices and the side effects associated with each treatment.

Most treatments for cervical cancer cause side effects. Side effects may differ, depending on the type of treatment used and your age and overall health. Side effects of chemotherapy may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, or hair loss. Side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue, skin irritation, or changes in your bowel or urinary habits. Side effects of surgery depend on the surgery used to treat the stage of your cancer.

Both cervical cancer and genital warts are caused by a highly contagious virus known as HPV. Out of about 200 types of HPV identified to date, more than 30 have the ability to infect the genital tract. However, HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for approximately 90% of all genital warts, and thus are the primary targets for HPV cures.

These warts are highly contagious and spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact with an infected partner. Thus, they have become very prevalent in the general population and often require an immediate HPV cure. They can occur virtually anywhere on the body. If afflicted with warts, it becomes necessary to eradicate the HPV infection to eliminate them.

HPVCurative contains certified organic antiviral extracts, which have the demonstrated ability not only to act as HPV cures, but also to stimulate CD4 T-cells, which cleanse virus-infected cells. HPVCurative thereby eradicates genital warts without any recurrence, making it superior to other genital warts cures.

HPVCurative is so effective among available HPV cures because it not only contains only the most potent certified organic antiviral medicinal plant extracts, but is highly tolerable to genital tissue as well. CURED use plant extracts for their genital warts cures that are produced in very limited quantities, and are not available in the commercial market due to scarcity.

Alkaloids exhibiting a broad spectrum of antiviral activity have been identified in a select few herbal extracts, which have been blended into all of our HPV cures. These antiviral alkaloids can penetrate into human tissue, and are known to be highly effective in genital warts cures. To learn more, please go to http://www.bcured.net.

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HPV DNA Testing Can Accurately Detect Cervical Cancer

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 October 2011 03:28 Written by Natural Health Team Tuesday, 18 October 2011 03:28

Health Information about HPV DNA Testing Can Accurately Detect Cervical Cancer

When a woman reaches the age of 40, she will be at risk of contracting cervical cancer. This disease is primarily caused by the Human papilloma virus or HPV. It is transmitted through sexual contact. HPV doesn’t necessarily start out or develop into cancerous cervix cells. However, this disease will usually persist for a long period and can eventually lead to cervical cancer.

Recent studies show that HPV DNA testing is actually more accurate in detecting cervical cancer compared to traditional Pap smear. Looking at the statistics, an HPV DNA test was able to detect about 95% of cases while a Pap smear only detected 55%, both having tested the same participants.

However, it is necessary to point out that this particular DNA test would still need a sample to be collected from the cervix. This test will not suffice as a blood test. That needs to be emphasized, because news reports that have been coming out pertaining to this particular DNA test does not clarify the extent of this procedure.

At present, though, an HPV DNA test is being performed together with the traditional Pap smear. But it is also worth mentioning that an HPV DNA testing procedure costs more than the traditional Pap smear – almost $ 90 compared to $ 20. One more thing, even women who have received HPV vaccinations are still recommended for screening since there is actually more than one cancer causing strain that is not yet covered the HPV vaccine.

With regard to cervical cancer, early detection is still the best defense against the disease. It is for this reason that women are recommended to undergo tests that could rule out the chances of having cervical cancer. Pap smear is probably the most common test to detect cervical cancer and as mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, it is the most affordable test. It is done by collecting cells from the cervix for examination under the microscope.

An HPV test involves testing and typing. An HPV DNA test is able to detect the presence of the most common high-risk HPV types.

In conclusion, cervical cancer, just like any other cancer, with early detection and treatment, has a greater chance for an individual to get rid of the disease for good.

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Cervical Cancer Symptoms Mayo

Last Updated on Monday, 17 October 2011 05:27 Written by Natural Health Team Monday, 17 October 2011 05:27

Health Information about Cervical Cancer Symptoms Mayo

This makes regular health checks all the more important and a Pap smear test on an annual basis essential for all women. Cervical Cancer Symptoms MayoSafety first is an excellent motto.

And another of the nasty aspects of cancer is that symptoms for other problems such as ovulation or pre-menstrual pains are common for many women. These pains may mask the symptoms of cervical cancer.

But while there may not be obvious symptoms, there are signs which suggest the disease is present. These signs include one or more of the following:

• Heavy or light vaginal bleeding during the month is a possible symptom of cervical cancer

• Pelvic pain which is not a part of the normal menstrual cycle pain. The pain can range from short, sharp suffering to a prolonged dull ache. The suffering can range in intensity from mild to severe.

• Pain when urinating. This in patients often means the cancer has spread to the bladder hence the distress when urinating.

• Abnormal vaginal discharge which take the form of a watery substance, mucus, which may be thick and/or smell foul. The type of discharge can vary widely because every woman and every cervical cancer is different.

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• Bleeding at times in-between regular menstrual bleeding. This may occur after sexual intercourse, from douching or from a pelvic examination. A cervix which has cancer will be irritated by certain things such as those mentioned and will often bleed as a consequence of this activity.

It is important that any of the above symptoms are also found with other problems and do not mean that the woman concerned does in fact have cervical cancer. However, the point cannot be made strongly enough that there is a vital need to see a doctor as soon as possible should these symptoms appear. It is not unusual for a woman to experience a change in color of her urine, to find herself seriously fatigued seemingly without reason and to experience pain after sexual intercourse. While such symptoms are common for those diagnosed with cervical cancer, it is possible these symptoms are the result of non-cancerous problems.

Many women will talk about ‘knowing their bodies’. They believe they have an innate sense of when something is wrong. Some women diagnosed with cervical cancer believe they felt something was wrong even before they were given the medical diagnosis.

So it is true there are many symptoms suggesting a woman has cervical cancer. But unfortunately it is possible to contract the disease and not have any obvious symptoms at all for some time. The best advice is to report to your doctor as soon as possible any abnormal pain, discharge or bleeding and to have a Pap test on a regular basis.

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