Last month, I wrote a feature on the new human papillomavirus (HPV) tests: HPV HR and HPV 16/18.

The HPV tests were recently approved by the FDA, but what does that mean for you? Dr. Michael A. Gold has some answers for you.

Dr. Gold is Associate Professor and Division Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He sits on the board of the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology and is an active member of many professional societies. He also conducts research in cervical cancer and pre-cancererous abnormalities.

Are HPV tests recommended in addition to Pap smears for some women? If so, why?

Dr. Michael A. Gold: HPV tests are recommended in two situations. First, to help triage a minimally abnormal pap test reported as ASC-US (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance). Only 10% of women with this pap report have a pre-cancererous abnormality known as dysplasia. If high risk HPV testing (testing for the 13 or 14 types of HPV which are at the highest risk for causing cancer or pre-cancer) is performed and is positive, the risk of having a pre-cancererous abnormality increases to 20% and those women are referred on for further evaluation. If the high risk HPV test is negative, the risk is less than 1% of having a pre-cancererous abnormality and those women can be reassured and continued on routine annual screening.

The second situation in which HPV testing is recommended is in conjunction with a pap test for women 30 and older. If both are negative, those women can space future screening out to every 3 years. If the pap smear is normal but the high risk HPV test is positive, they would undergo repeat pap test and high risk HPV in 12 months. If persistently high risk HPV positive, they will then undergo further evaluation.

How will the new tests, HPV HR and HPV 16/18, assist you in better treating patients? Read more

We’ll never know why certain things happen to people. We trust (at least I do) that there is a plan for it all, and that things happen for a reason. Sometimes when celebrities get saddled with disease it helps raise the issue for the rest of us. That certainly was the case for Jade Goody.

Jade was laid to rest today in England. She died March 22 at the very young age of 27 from cervical cancer. She was the subject of scrutiny and fascination for her often outrageous views. But in the last months of her life, she choose to have her private battle with cervical cancer filmed to help “raise money for the education of her two young sons.” In doing so she also educated the rest of us about the nastiness of cervical cancer.

Images: splashnewsonline.com.

One of the most hotly debated issues when it comes to children is if boys should be circumcised. Unless you do it for religious reasons, the issue can start an argument in no time at all. There are vehement arguments for both sides of the issue and the problem is, it doesn’t seem like anyone is right or wrong because both sides can find studies to back up their beliefs.

A new study out has weighed in on the benefits of circumcision - the potential that it can help prevent the spread of the human papillomavirus (HPV). A few forms of HPV are responsible for a significant number of cervical cancer cases, as well as genital warts.

According to an article over at WebMD , the risk of circumcised men contracting genital wards dropped by 25% and contracting HPV by 35%. The article also points out that women who only have one partner and he is circumcised, have a lower chance of developing cervical cancer, according to earlier studies.

Just some fuel to add to the circumcision debate. Now, to find something on breastfeeding…

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Image: iStock

Jade Goody, a British reality TV star, has died from cervical cancer. She was only 27.

Goody rose to fame as the sometimes impetuous gal from Big Brother, a reality show that films a house full of contestants as they try and live together. She joined the cast in 2002, and quickly gained popularity for her loud and sometimes abrasive ways.

She was evicted from the Big Brother house after an altercation with Shilpa Shetty, a Bollywood Actress. Later, she was invited by the Indian Tourism Office to come to India and even be on their version of Big Brother. It was on that show that she very publicly received her diagnosis of cervical cancer.

She died in her sleep early Sunday morning in her England home.

Images: INF

Good Morning fabulous people! If you’ve ever checked out my blog So Sioux Me, you know that I have a special place in my heart for girls.

I posted an article this morning about my disappointment that a vaccine to prevent HPV (human papilloma virus) which causes cervical cancer has morphed into an argument about whether girls should have sex.

The issue of whether states will require girls to be vaccinated against HPV upon entering public schools is one most states are currently debating or will debate shortly.

Many are saying it should be the parents’ right to choose whether their child should be vaccinated.

My position is that every girl, regardless of her parents, has a right to basic healthcare and that includes access to a vaccine which prevents cervical cancer.

I’d love to hear what you think about this very important issue. Please let me know in comments on So Sioux Me and/or right here at Blogfabulous.