My Unique Blog: August 2020

Monday, August 24, 2020

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a cancer arising from the cervix. It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Early on, typically no symptoms are seen. Later symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pain during sexual intercourse. While bleeding after sex may not be serious, it may also indicate the presence of cervical cancer.

Human papillomavirus infection (HPV) causes more than 90% of cases; most people who have had HPV infections, however, do not develop cervical cancer. Other risk factors include smoking, a weak immune system, birth control pills, starting sex at a young age, and having many sexual partners, but these are less important. Cervical cancer typically develops from precancerous changes over 10 to 20 years. About 90% of cervical cancer cases are squamous cell carcinomas, 10% are adenocarcinoma, and a small number are other types. Diagnosis is typically by cervical screening followed by a biopsy. Medical imaging is then done to determine whether or not the cancer has spread.

HPV vaccines protect against two to seven high-risk strains of this family of viruses and may prevent up to 90% of cervical cancers. As a risk of cancer still exists, guidelines recommend continuing regular Pap tests. Other methods of prevention include having few or no sexual partners and the use of condoms. Cervical cancer screening using the Pap test or acetic acid can identify precancerous changes, which when treated, can prevent the development of cancer. Treatment may consist of some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Five-year survival rates in the United States are 68%. Outcomes, however, depend very much on how early the cancer is detected.

Worldwide, cervical cancer is both the fourth-most common cause of cancer and the fourth-most common cause of death from cancer in women. In 2012, an estimated 528,000 cases of cervical cancer occurred, with 266,000 deaths. This is about 8% of the total cases and total deaths from cancer.[ About 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of deaths occur in developing countries. In low-income countries, it is one of the most common causes of cancer death. In developed countries, the widespread use of cervical screening programs has dramatically reduced rates of cervical cancer. In medical research, the most famous immortalized cell line, known as HeLa, was developed from cervical cancer cells of a woman named Henrietta Lacks.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_cancer

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Maintain a Healthy Retina for Good Vision

Here’s how to protect your retina:

Be aware of your risk factors, which may include age, family history, or pre-existing health conditions.
Pay attention to visual changes and visit an eye physician right away if experience symptoms such as blurry or distorted vision, if straight lines appear wavy, or you see a dark spot, flashes of light or floaters.
Have an annual dilated retina exam.
See a retina specialist for expert care of retinal diseases/conditions.

What to expect during a Dilated Eye Exam?

Regular dilated retina exams by an ophthalmologist are important, especially for those at higher risk for retinal diseases like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye physician will use eye drops to make your pupils dilate (open wide) to allow a better view of the inside of your eye, especially your retinal tissue. Light sensitivity related to dilation will reverse after a few hours, but sunglasses may be needed in the interim.

In addition to a complete examination of your retina and vitreous cavity, your physician will also evaluate the front part of your eyes to assess your vision (need for corrective lenses), eye pressure (looking for signs of glaucoma), eyelids and cornea (looking for dry eye) and lens (looking for signs of cataracts). If a retinal condition is detected, see a retina specialist.

What is a Retina Specialist?

A retina specialist is a board-certified ophthalmologist with advanced training in the treatment of vitreoretinal diseases. These experts have access to highly innovative treatments to manage conditions that were once blinding, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy (click to learn more). The future is bright for retina patients because there are many revolutionary treatments on the horizon.

Source: https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases