Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 January 2003 — Page 26

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2003 ■ PAGE D6 TO YOOR HEALTH

January is Cervical cancer awareness month

Submitted by the Health Eihieution. Promotion and Training Department of the Marion County Health Department According to the National Cancer Institute’s CancerNet'” publication, each year approximately to.()()() women in the United States are diagnosed with cancer »>( the cervix.' About 4,400 women die from the disease each year as well. Worldwide, cancer of the cervix affects 400,000 women annually, and, after breast cancer, is the second most common malignancy found in women. Early last year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its first data on cervical cancer detection rates by race and ethnicity. The information detailed the outcome of abnormal test results in women who had obtained a Papanicolau (PAP)test between 1.9.91 and 19.98. AfricanAmerican women were second among other races with the highest proportion of abnormal tests at 4.4%.-' The good news is that more and more women are understanding the importance of a yearly PAP test thus enabling their health care providers to diagnose cervical cancer at an earlier stage. However, there is still a sizeable number of women who do not regularly receive health care and ultimately, no PAP test. This problem is due to both lack of knowledge and/or little accessibility to proper health care. The Marion County Health Departliient, along with the Minority Health Coalition of Marion County, is committed to increasing the knowledge of cancers and other disparities that affect our minority population. The following will provide you with a good source of information regarding what cervical cancer is, how it is detected, and possible signs and symptoms. The best thing you can do for yourself is to be knowledgeable and to make sure you schedule your pelvic exam and PAP test yearly. Wliat is cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is a serious disease in which some cells in your cervix become abnormal. These cells multiply out of control and can cause damage to healthy parts of your body. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). What causes cervicalcancer?

Human papillomavirus, or 11PV, is recognized by health care officials as the primary cause of cervical cancer and is present in almost all cases. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections; however, very few women with HPV will go on to develop cervical cancer. There are more than 70 types of HPV that have been identified and so far, only 13 of those types have been associated with the development of cervical cancer. How is a PAP test done? A PAP test, or PAP smear, as it's sometimes called, is a quick and easy test that can be done each year to check for these abnormal cells. During your routine pelvic exam, your health care provider uses a small brush to take some cells from inside and outside of the cervix. These cells will be checked to see if they are healthy. If these cells are abnormal or unhealthy, your doctor may have you take more tests to check for cervical cancer, including a test for HPV. Are there signs and symp-

toms?

Unfortunately, there are no obvious signs of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer tends to grow more slowly than others and over a period of time. This is another reason why yearly testing is so vital. According to the National Cancer Institute, symptoms usually do not appear until abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade other bodily tissue. 3 When this happens, the most common symptom is abnormal bleeding. The bleeding may start and stop between menstrual periods or it may occur after intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam. Bleeding after menopause is also listed as a symptom of cervical cancer. It is important to note that these symptoms may be caused by other health problems, so it is important to contact your health care provider immediately if they arise. Is cervical cancer treatable? Yes. While research iscurrently being done in order to obtain a vaccine, it is not yet available. Early detection is still the key. When abnormal changes in the cervix are detected early before they become cancerous, most are close to 100% curable. When the diagnoses comes later, the treatment available depends on the • size, kind, and location of the cancer; your age; your health; and

your desire to have children. There are three main types of treatment for cervical cancer: surgery, radiation therapy, and che-

motherapy.

Is there a reason that some women are more likely than others to get cervical cancer? Any woman faces the possibility of getting cervical cancer. However, health care officials agree that your chances of getting cervical cancer increase with the

following:

Again, the best defense is early detection. This requires women to be proactive about their health, understandingtheir personal risk factors and making a yearly pelvic exam a priority. For more information on cervical cancer, you may contact the Cancer Information Services (CIS), sponsored by the National Cancer Institute at (800) 422-6237 or TTY (for deaf and hard of hearing callers): (800) 332-8615. This service provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and their family members, health care providers, and the general public. Information is available in English or Spanish. For more information on minority health programs, please contact the Minority Health Coalition ofMarion County at (317) 924-6068. 1 'Cancer of the Cervix. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved January 10,2002 from the World Wide W e b : h t t j> ; / / www.ca.ncernet.nci.nih.gov/ wyntk_pubs/cervix.htm ^Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Document, Press Release]. Retrieved January 9, 2002 from the World Wide Web: http//m\ r w.cdc.gov/od/oc/ media/pressrel/rOWl l6a.htm.

New medicines on way to treat HIV/AIDS

By NIKKI BURNS Special to the NNPA From the Mississippi Link JACKSON, Miss. CNN PA) - I n an effort to dev elop more effective ways to prev ent and treat HIV and AII )S, the pharmaceutical ind 11 st rv cu rrently h as 83 new medieines in development, according to the Pharmaceutical Research ami Manufacturers of America H’hRMA). In addition to the 74 medirines already approved, these new' medicines in the pipeline demonstrate our industry’s total commitment to combat this terrible scourge that is afflicting patients all over the world,” said PhRMA President Alan F. Holmer. The medicines in development, which are either in human clinical trials or are waiting approval

by the FDA, include 14 vaccines and 33 antivirals, many of which attack HIV in new ways. For example, w hile currently approved medicinesstop the virus from replicating after it has entered a patient’s cell, a promising medicine under review by FDA blocks the virus from entering the cell. Other antiviral medicines in development block the entry of the virus at other points in the process. Another medicine in the pipeline - the first in a new class called integrase inhibitors - is designed to block an enzyme that the virus needs to make copies of itself. In the 1980s, cases of the thenrelatively unknown disease and virus, AIDS and HIV, began showing up. Back then, AIDS and 11IV were labeled by many in the Western part of the world as “an

Experts say three out of every seven Americans Infected with AIDS are Afrlcan- * American.

African disease,” or a disease spread through the “unusual sexual practices and promiscuity of gay men.” Today, we know that AIDS and HIV are non-discriminatory epidemics. At the end of 2001, an estimated 40 million people worldwide - 37.1 million adults and 3 million children younger than age 15 - were living with HIV/AIDS and an estimated 362,827 people in the United States were living with AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 850,000 to 950,000 U.S. residents are living with HIV infection, one fourth of whom are unaware of their infection. Among people ages 25 to 44 in the U.S., AIDS is now the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of death for Black men. Paul Bessenbacher, who works atUrace House in Jackson, which provides housing for people with HIV and AIDS, said the development of new medicines that could possibly prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, giving those who are infected “a chance to live.” “When the disease first came out, people were prepared to die. Now they are trying to prepare to live. We try to let them know that they can live with this disease,” said Bessenbacher. ► AIDS.PaqvDS

What Is the Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program? The objective of the Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IN-BCCP) is to promote the early detection of breast and cervical cancer. The program is coordinated through the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) with funds provided by the Centers for Disease Conuol and Prevention (CDC). Why? In Indiana this year, an estimated 4.400 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed, and 900 women will die. Approximately 300 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed, and 120 women will die. Early detection is the key to reducing mortality and reducing late-stage breast and cervical cancer. Who? Eligible women include: • Low income, underserved, uninsured/underinsuied women (income equal to or levs than 200% of current Federal Poverty Guidelines) • Cervical screenings: women 18 to 64 years of age (emphasis on women rarely or never screened) • Breast screenings: women 30 to 64 years of age • Women with abnormal breast symptoms who are younger than the age guidelines How? The following breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services will be paid for all income and age-eligible women, including co-payments and deductibles. • Office visits, clinical breast exams. Pap tests, and pelvic exams • Screenings and diagnostic mammograms • Breast fine needle aspirations • Diagnostic breast ultrasounds • Colposcopies with or without biopsies • Bivast biopsies • Treatment is available for women screened and diagnosed through the IN-BCCP (if determined eligible through Hoosier

Where? The Breast and Cervical Cancer Program currently has over 123 participating medical providers in 30 counties across the state of Indiana Please call the Indiana Family Helpline at V/TDD (800) 433-0746 to locate the provider nearest you.

Infonmiiiim prvvulfd by the Indiana Stale De/Mirlmenl of Health {Juick hucls About... Breast and Cervical Cancer Program

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Do you eat wJien you're not hungry? Do you sometimes make food choices that later have you asking why you did not choose healthier foods? Making food choices is a response to many things other than being hungry and feeling motivated. Come find out what our special cooking hosts have to say about itl Join us at this fun and delightful food demonstration show and get a taste of whati cookin'!

Kim Gdeaz, R.D. Kim is a registered dietitian anctowner of Caleaz Food end Nutrition Communication. She teaches everyone about healthy eating, including great-tasting soy foods and their health benefits. ftaol Momour. D.C. Crowing up in a predominately Polish, Creek, and Slavic neighborhood exposed Dr. Mansour to a wide variety of tastes and cooking styles. He would spend time In between innings watching the Cubs lose and halping his mother prepare Mediterranean dishes. Skiritx T homes, AI D. For a living Dr. Thomas specializes In obstetrics and gynecology. When she Is not flying her plane or scuba diving during her spare time, her husband and their two dogs, Harley and Heineken, enjoy watching her cook.

COOKING SHOW

FRIDAY JANUARY 31, 2003 TWO SHOWS! 9 to 11:30 a.m. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Marion County Cooperative Extension Service (1-465 & 71- St.) EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT! Before January 20: $13 After (If space permits): $20 Group Rates of S or more available. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! To register by phone, call 317/534-6775

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