Ladies,next time you visit your doctor or OBGYN,please remember to ask for a PAP SMEAR


1. Q: What is HPV?
A: HPV is a common virus. In 2005 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 20 million people in the United States had this virus. There are many different types of HPV. Some cause no harm; others can cause diseases of the genital area. For most people, the virus goes away on its own. When the the virus does not go away, it can develop into cervical cancer, precancerous lesions, or genital warts, depending on the HPV type.
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2. Q: How do people get HPV?
A: HPV affects both women and men.
• Anyone who has any kind of sexual activity involving genital contact with an infected person can get HPV—intercourse isn’t necessary.
• Many people who have HPV may not show any signs or symptoms, so they can pass the virus on without even knowing it.

HPV is easily transmitted. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20 million people in the United States already had HPV in 2005.
HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18 account for the majority of HPV-related clinical diseases.
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3. Q: What is cervical cancer?
A: Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina). Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of HPV. When a female becomes infected with certain types of HPV and the virus doesn’t go away on its own, abnormal cells can develop in the lining of the cervix. If not discovered early and treated, these abnormal cells can become cervical precancers and then cancer.
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4. Q: What are genital warts?
A: Genital warts are flesh-colored growths that appear in or around the genital area. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are different from the types of that can cause cervical cancer.
About 2 out of 3 people who have sexual contact with a person who has genital warts will get them. Even after treatment, there is a chance that the genital warts could come back if HPV is still present. In fact, 25% of cases come back within 3 months.

Thanks Wa B for the insight!!ITs very important!!!

I hate the way they do pap smear though!! It makes you so uncomfortable!!Thank God I am up to date hata kama I dread having to do it!!Hahaha.....Huhuhuhuhuuuuuu

Jane,
iyo ni nduu?

Ngunjiri,
yaani haujui what a pap smear is? kwani u live in a hole
enyewe, it is a test that all ladies above child-bearing age should undergo.
it is rather uncomfortable because the doctor has to scrap off some cells from the walls of the vagina and cervix which is rather intrusive.
but nowadays, it has become a basic requirement for all women- no-one wants to risk getting the cancer of the cervix. But the test is more recommended mostly for ladies who are sexually active.
HOPE YOU ARE BETTER OFF NOW- NIMEKUFUNZA KIASI

quote:

Originally posted by Ngûnjiri®:
Jane,
iyo ni nduu?

Ngunjiri tacokera kiuria kiu. Yaani ndui pap smear ni ndu?
Kana ni gwitua uretua? he he he heeee.

True.It is one of those tests you would rather not have but it could save ones life.That is why we are called women.Mutumia etaguo Mutumia ni gutumiria maundu.With all the not so good stuff we have to go through yet we always go thru it smiling. .Its all worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by Ngûnjiri®:
Jane,
iyo ni nduu?

Ngunjiri,
Kaliz niagucokeria wega muno.Angikorwo no wende more info you can google it and you'll get all the explanation you need.IT'S VERY IMPORTANT!! It has saved so many women lives!!

Twi hamwe wa nii?

Jane,
I hear you! pap smears are usually very uncomfortable but very very important to go through one evey year.

By the way why is it called pap smear?

quote:

Originally posted by safari76:
Jane,

By the way why is it called pap smear?

In gynecology, the Papanikolaou test or Papanicolaou test (also called Pap smear, Pap test, cervical smear, or smear test) is a medical screening method, invented by Georgios Papanikolaou, primarily designed to detect premalignant and malignant processes in the ectocervix. It may also detect infections and abnormalities in the endocervix and endometrium.

The sampling technique changed very little since its invention by Georgios Papanikolaou (1883–1962) to detect cyclic hormonal changes in vaginal cells in the early 20th century until the development of liquid based cell thinlayer technology. The test remains an effective, widely used method for early detection of cervical cancer .

quote:

Originally posted by safari76:
Jane,
I hear you! pap smears are usually very uncomfortable but very very important to go through one evey year.

By the way why is it called pap smear?

Safari76,
Wa B niagutariria wega muno.Onanii I had the same question!Thanks Wa B

Waweru na Kaliz,
How did you guys expect Ngunjiri to know. I also di not know, and I am not sure that I understand even after the explanations here.

What is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a test your doctor does to check for signs of cancer of the cervix. The cervix is part of your uterus (womb). During a Pap smear, your doctor takes a sample of cells from your cervix to be tested.

To take the sample, your doctor will put a special instrument called a speculum into your vagina. This helps open your vagina so the sample can be taken. Your doctor will gently clean your cervix with a cotton swab and then collect a sample of cells with a small brush, a tiny spatula or a cotton swab. This sample is put on a glass slide and sent to a lab to be checked.

What is the sample checked for?

The cells on the slide are checked for signs that they're changing from normal. Cells go through a series of changes before they turn into cancer. A Pap smear can show if your cells are going through these changes long before you have cancer. Cervical cancer is not life-threatening if it's caught early. This is why getting regular Pap smears is so important.

What do the results mean?

A negative Pap smear means that your results are normal. A positive Pap smear means that your results aren't normal.

A positive Pap smear can be a sign of a number of changes in the cells on your cervix:
Inflammation (irritation). This can be caused by an infection of the cervix, including a yeast infection, infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) or herpes virus, or many other infections.
Very early signs of cancer. These changes are called dysplasia.
More serious signs of cancer. These changes affect the top layers of the cervix but don't go beyond the cervix. This is called "carcinoma in situ."

Nyina wa B,
Is there no alternative and less agonizing way of doing this?

Sajini,you can help by making sure you are faithful to her and only her.Also dont get uptight when she demands that you use the CDs.Its her life on the line and if you really care about her,you would want her to hold on to her life for as long as she can.Always remember,
Ngai Wa Kirinyaga Ateithagia witeithitie.

Is there anything I can do to avoid getting cervical cancer?
You may be able to reduce your risk of cervical cancer if you:
Delay sexual intercourse until you're 20 years of age or older.
Have only 1 sex partner who doesn't have an STD and is only having sex with you.
Limit your number of sex partners.
Always use latex condoms (rubbers) to protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). (Remember condoms aren't 100% effective.)
Avoid smoking

quote:

Originally posted by Nyina Wa Bakhita:
Sajini,you can help by making sure you are faithful to her and only her.Also dont get uptight when she demands that you use the CDs.Its her life on the line and if you really care about her,you would want her to hold on to her life for as long as she can.Always remember,
Ngai Wa Kirinyaga Ateithagia witeithitie.

Is there anything I can do to avoid getting cervical cancer?
You may be able to reduce your risk of cervical cancer if you:
Delay sexual intercourse until you're 20 years of age or older.
Have only 1 sex partner who doesn't have an STD and is only having sex with you.
Limit your number of sex partners.
Always use latex condoms (rubbers) to protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). (Remember condoms aren't 100% effective.)
Avoid smoking

Wa B,
I am just curious.Why should she ask him to use a CD if they are married?I was thinking that the pple who have different sex partners should use a CD and does it help prevent HPV?