Topic: Pap-smear

It’s National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: 3 Warning Signs You Need To Know

It's National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: 3 Warning Signs You Need To Know

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and even though it’s the second most common cancer in women worldwide, it doesn’t receive nearly the attention that it should. In the U.S., the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 11,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year and over 4,000 women die of the disease. These are numbers that are just unacceptable, considering the fact that this deadly disease is highly preventable if you know the facts. More »

Why You Might Not Need A Pelvic Exam After All (Thank Goodness!)

Why You Might Not Need A Pelvic Exam After All (Thank Goodness!)

Raise your hand if you like getting a pelvic exam when you go to the doctor. No hands raised here either. Maybe that’s because they are uncomfortable, embarrassing or just so damn invasive, but we have to assume no woman actually wants to have a doctor insert his plastic-gloved hand into her vagina to feel around and palpitate her organs. And yet, many physicians routinely perform this exam. But thankfully, a new study says all of that may be unnecessary. To which we say: Hooray! More »

At-Home Cervical Cancer Tests Exist, Could Save Lives

At-Home Cervical Cancer Tests Exist, Could Save Lives

Women who regularly schedule their annual visit to the gynecologist are more than familiar with the tiny brush that’s use to collect cervical cells. For many, the Pap smear is a routine procedure, and a big part of preventing cervical cancer. But what about women who don’t have health care, or worse, who live in poorer countries that don’t have a women’s clinic at all? What if they could easily detect cancer earlier, with a DIY Pap? More »