Gynecologic cancers – know the symptoms and how to prevent them Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder for women to make their health a priority.
The health center has one of the highest cervical cancer screening rates in the state, despite serving a patient population of largely low-income, uninsured patients, the majority of whom are immigrants and refugees. It happens when the cells inside and out of doors the cervix (decrease a part of the uterus) mutate. Staff are especially focused on identifying women who have not had a cervical cancer screening in many years. ALSO READ | PCOS Awareness Month 2020: Is there is a link between PCOS and bipolar disorder? Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. We all work together to give high-quality care,” says Kennedy. In 2018, an estimated 570 000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide and about 311 000 women died from the disease. Just yesterday I saw a patient who came in to see me because she was worried that she had an ovarian cyst and wanted a Pap smear to find out. There are also a couple of other cancer-related awareness days, including World Cancer Day (February 4) and International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day (February 18). As the month of January comes to a close, we’re thinking about women’s health and the value of preventive screenings and vaccinations. Cervical cancer “The prevalence of cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, especially in developing countries. The medical assistant with whom I work on a daily basis asks patients about their last screening, tracks down records, etc. Every single person in our clinic — from the front desk to the nurses to the social workers — works extremely hard every day to make sure every patient that comes to our clinic gets top-notch care. “I ask my patients, ‘Would you like me to tell you more about Pap smears?’ They are usually quite engaged. Other health-related days and months include: American Heart Month (raises awareness for heart disease; associated with the color red); National Wear Red Day (first Friday of the month; associated with American Heart Month) Nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and a Pap smear screening.

Treating Gynecologic Cancers. Kennedy says there is a state program that makes it easier for parents to vaccinate their children against HPV, but it’s not easy to come by. Cervical Health Awareness Month (National Cervical Cancer Coalition) February 2020.
“The HPV vaccine is quite expensive and is not covered by any discount for people over the age of 18.”.

The risks for cervical cancer include certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV)  and now there’s a vaccine for it. I love outreach and education, and trust that if women are provided with the knowledge and tools, they will make the best decisions for their health and their bodies.”, To boost cervical cancer screening rates, the health center also pays keen attention to the date of a patient’s last Pap smear, even if they are coming in for some other ailment, such as a sore throat. “We look at their chart and ask them to return within two weeks for an annual and Pap,” says Kennedy. Her partner was with her. Cervical most cancers “The prevalence of cervical most cancers is the commonest kind of most cancers in ladies, particularly in creating nations. Learn more about these activities here. We are helping people get tested for cervical cancer, helping them understand their diagnosis, and helping them get the treatments they need. “Not to meet metrics, but because our patients deserve it. The American Cancer Society also funds new research to help prevent, find, and treat cervical cancer. Southside Community Health Services in Minneapolis, MN, How COVID-19 Has Changed the Ways Health Centers Treat Diabetes and Other Underlying Conditions, Kimberly Chang Recognized for Turning Human Trafficking into a Frontline Health Issue, Year of the Nurse 2020: A Conversation with Three Nurse Leaders, NACHC 2020 CHI@HOME Receives Federal Updates from Top Health Officials, Kimberly Chang Recognized for Turning Human Trafficking into a Frontline Health Issue | NACHC Blog, Intimate Partner Violence and Human Trafficking: How Health Centers Can Respond During COVID-19, Missouri Voters Approve Medicaid Expansion, 12 States Remain. “I have never worked with a more dedicated team in my life. Cervical Cancer Awareness Month 2020 During January, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is marking Cervical Cancer Awareness Month with a series of infographics. There are interpreters on staff for patients, but the universal language spoken within the health center’s walls is trust. It occurs when the cells inside and outside the cervix (lower part of the uterus) mutate. According to the most recent data available (2018) 1.8 million women received a pap screen at a Community Health Center. They asked great questions and were so appreciative. Every patient is treated with dignity and respect and staff work hard to ensure patients understand why preventive screenings are so vital to their health. “While most women know they are supposed to get cervical cancer screening, the majority do not know what it is checking for, and even fewer women know what HPV is,” says Sheila Kennedy, a Nurse Midwife at Southside Community Health. ALSO READ | PCOS Awareness Month 2020: Is there is a link between PCOS and bipolar disorder? Accessing vaccinations and screenings are typically difficult for impoverished and disenfranchised people, which is why there are places like Southside Community Health Services in Minneapolis, MN. At the end of the visit, the patient said, ‘I’m going to send all my friends to talk with you so they can learn about this too!’ And I hope they come!”, All women are at risk for cervical cancer but it most often occurs in women over age 30, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are a lot of references to ‘down there.’ I try to normalize talking about one’s body, and even put a positive spin on it if I can. We had a lovely discussion about women’s reproductive organs, and when we would want to do specific tests or images. The idea that saving a life can be as simple as reminding people there is an affordable place to get screened is what drives the staff at Southside. Kennedy hits on an important point — that women often don’t realize how cervical cancer is a serious health risk and a simple Pap smear can save their life. “And, since I give them that brief information on what the screening is and the importance of it, nearly everyone returns.”. If cervical cancer is detected early, it can be highly treatable and associated with long survival and good quality of life. Cervical Cancer Awareness Month January 31, 2020 January 31, 2020 | by Amy Simmons Farber As the month of January comes to a close, we’re thinking about women’s health and the value of preventive screenings and vaccinations.

It is truly a team effort to reach outcome goals.”. Part of the problem is the sensitive topic of reproductive health. The American Cancer Society is actively fighting cervical cancer on many fronts. Gynecologic cancers include all cancers of the female reproductive system, including cancers of the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vulva and vagina. This January for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, we look at the development of those preventive vaccines, ongoing work on therapeutic vaccines, and new options for cervical cancer patients. “One of the challenges I’ve noticed with the specific patient population at Southside is that many of them are very hesitant to talk about reproductive health. I show patients how a speculum works, I let them feel the brush that will be used during the Pap smear. Cervical cancer is highly preventable in most Western countries because screening tests and a vaccine to prevent HPV infections are available.