Women's Health

How often should I get a mammogram?

The National Cancer Institute recommends:

• Women 40 years and older should get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years.
• Women who have had breast cancer or other breast problems or who have a family history of breast cancer might need to start getting mammograms before age 40, or they might need to get them more often. Talk to your doctor about when to start and how often you should have a mammogram.
• Susan G. Komen Foundation recommends clinical breast exams once every three years for women ages 20-39 and then annually after 40 with mammograms. The guidelines may change if you have a family history so be sure to talk to your doctor.

What is a Pap test?

The Pap test, also called a Pap smear, checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). The Pap test can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cervical cells, or cervical cancer.

Why do I need a Pap test?

A Pap test can save your life. It can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer. If caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high. Pap tests also can find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells. Treatment can prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing. Getting regular Pap tests is the best thing you can do to prevent cervical cancer. In fact, regular Pap tests have led to a major decline in the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths.

Do all women need Pap tests?

It is important for all women to have Pap tests, along with pelvic exams, as part of their routine health care. You need a Pap test if you are 21 years or older.

Women who have gone through menopause (when a woman's periods stop) still need regular Pap tests. Women ages 65 and older can talk to their doctor about stopping after at least 3 normal Pap tests and no abnormal results in the last 10 years.

How often do I need to get a Pap test?

It depends on your age and health history. Talk with your doctor about what is best for you. Most women can follow these guidelines:

• Starting at age 21, have a Pap test every 2 years.
• If you are 30 years old and older and have had 3 normal Pap tests for 3 years in a row, talk to your doctor about spacing out Pap tests to every 3 years.
• If you are over 65 years old, ask your doctor if you can stop having Pap tests.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/pap-test.cfm#pap01

Evangelist Nadia, RN

The word "cancer" puts fear and trembling in most humans. But the Bible tells us repeatedly  to "Fear Not!" There are preventative measures and technologies  that can be taken to protect us from this disease, but it will take action and faith on your part. My mother was diagnosed and treated  in 2005 with breast cancer. Subsequently over the last 5 years she refused to go for any mammogram's or follow up's. She repeated "When it's my time, it's my time." What a foolish mindset we have at times. If God has allowed man to discover technologies that can help and cure us, why wouldn't we take advantage of it. It is not in God's will for us that we should suffer and die of Cancer, or worse yet, die from pure ignorance and stubbornness. The fear of her hearing a negative diagnosis again had caused her to be stifled in action. So, she finally went and the radiologist called and struck fear in the hearts of those close to her because they said there were multiple calcifications. So of course, being human in nature you start contemplating the end result in your mind before you even have a definite conclusion. We are taught in the church that God has the final say so!! And how true it is. When a repeated mammogram was done it was found that it was highly unlikely that the cancer had returned. Praise God for being a healer and for being who He is. He says of himself "I AM THAT I AM". What he meant by this is, I am who I say I am. I am a provider, I am a banner/shield, I am a healer, I am a father, I am a comforter, I am a God who will sanctify you from what the world has labeled you! In essence He is, and always will be anything you will ever need. Now that we have a clean bill of health for mom, she is still not out of the clear. She has a responsibility now to go back in 6 months for a follow- up mammogram. I pray that fear will not strike her down again, and that she would hold fast to her faith!  When you aren't sure about something, make sure you educate yourself. Usually once you have a clear understanding of the truth you are less likely to be swayed by fear.

I pray that this newsletter and information has been a blessing to you. Just as the bible says in James 1:22-"We are to be doers of the Word, not just hearers of the Word." So I hope you hear this counsel and take the necessary steps to care for yourself and your loved ones.  If there are any health related topics of interest that you would like further education on, please let me know, I will do my best to get you the answers you are looking for. Please send any requests or comments  to Rehobothnurse@gmail.com

Leading the Community to Spiritual Health and Wellness One Person at a time.