If You Are A Woman Over 30- Listen Up!

Are you over the age of 30? If so you need to listen up! Many of us have heard all about the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer. We’ve been told all about the vaccines available for our teens and young adults, but what about those of us that are older? What about all the woman who weren’t under 27 when they started pushing to get vaccinated? There is a test out there that can be preformed by your OBGYN at your next (and every!) pap test! It’s called the Digene HPV Test. Now, here’s the catch- not all OB’s automatically test for HPV.

The problem? Since HPV (human papillomavirus) is known as the sexually transmitted disease many older (and younger) woman don’t want to bring it up. Did you know that it is a FACT that you can get HPV without even having sex! And- using condoms don’t fully protect you either!

Chances are you weren’t in the age group to get the vaccines because I was 26 when the started making us more informed about what HPV was and how it can be prevented. I had just enough time to get vaccinated before I turned 27. I did it, with the high risk of cancer that runs in my family and after testing positive for cancerous cells in past pap smears it wasn’t a question in my mind.
Many cancers don’t have cures and that scares me like crazy- but cervical cancer is curable!
Wouldn’t you want to do something about it?
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HPV vaccines are for girls and young women ages 9–26 to help protect against the two types of HPV that are most commonly associated with cervical cancer. These vaccines are a powerful tool to help protect today’s girls —tomorrow’s generation of women — from cervical cancer. But what tools are out there for women today who may be at risk? Learn about what you can do to protect yourself against cervical cancer:

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.

• If you are age 30 or older, ask your doctor for the digene HPV Test together with your Pap test.
• If both tests come back normal, then the tests don’t need to be repeated for 3 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 – Web site focuses on the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer through HPV screening and Pap testing. Site includes frequently-asked-questions, patient stories, and tips on “what your test results mean.”

Follow us on Twitter: @HPVinformed
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, if you are researching the HPV vaccines for your daughter, don’t forget about yourself and get yourself tested!