HPV Test

If you are one of my female blog readers, you know getting your yearly pap smear is not one of the things we look forward to with excitement, but it is a very important exam. If you are one of my male blog readers, I’m sorry if you are blushing. The following information can help all women in your life, and I encourage you to pass this along to them or point them here.

Along with getting your yearly pap smear, I’d also encourage you to ask for the digene HPV test. What is the difference between these two tests?

• 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.

Learn about what you can do to protect yourself
against 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 return normal, then the tests don’t need to be repeated for three 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

HELPFUL WEB RESOURCES ON CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION

www.theHPVtest.com – The website focuses on the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer through HPV screening and Pap testing. The 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.

So, be sure to go in for your yearly exams and also mention the HPV test to your doctor. Take care of yourself!

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 participating.