Gang Violence Leads to a Hostile Take Over…
Imagine that a cell represents a person and groups of cells represent gangs. Well, most gangs of cells work in harmony to make the body function properly. Now imagine if one of these gangs decides it doesn’t want to work with the others so it starts to dysfunction; pushing the other good gangs out of the way, stealing their supplies, taking over that region of the body to form tumors. This is CANCER!
Different cancer gangs can sprout all over the body and are named after the area where they first form. These tumors use the blood vessels, otherwise used by the good cells, to grow bigger and stronger. When some of these cancer cells break off and enter the bloodstream, they can travel to other parts of the body to form new tumors that affect the body in various ways. Unless treated, cancer can lead to death <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE American Cancer Society.200911112American Cancer Society.,Cancer Reference Information2009January 32009http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_0.asp<![endif]–>[1]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>.
HOW ARE SEXUALLY TRANSMIITTED INFECTIONS CONNECTED TO CANCER?
- Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly occurring sexually transmitted infection (STI). Most people who get the infection don’t even know they have it. You can get HPV with skin to skin contact during oral, anal, or vaginal sex <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention200822212Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) InfectionSexually Transmitted Diseases2009January 32008Atlanta, GADepartment of Health and Human Serviceshttp://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htmAmerican Cancer Society.200911112American Cancer Society.,Cancer Reference Information2009January 32009http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_0.asp<![endif]–>[1, 2]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>.
- Some forms of HPV can cause genital warts which look like small raised bumps in the pubic regions. Other “high risk” forms can lead to cancer <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention200822212Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) InfectionSexually Transmitted Diseases2009January 32008Atlanta, GADepartment of Health and Human Serviceshttp://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm<![endif]–>[2]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>.
- HPV can cause different types of cancer in both men and women. These include anal cancer, penile cancer, and vaginal cancer. The most common cancer that can develop from HPV, however, is cervical cancer <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention200822212Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) InfectionSexually Transmitted Diseases2009January 32008Atlanta, GADepartment of Health and Human Serviceshttp://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm<![endif]–>[2]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>.
JANUARY is Cervical Health Awareness Month
WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER?
- Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix in women. Normal cells will first change to pre-cancer cells before they become full blown cancerous cells. It is often a slow growing cancer and can take many years for full development <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE American Cancer Society.200911112American Cancer Society.,Cancer Reference Information2009January 32009http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_0.asp<![endif]–>[1]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>. These cells can be identified through screening and therefore, it is important for women to see the gynecologist regularly.
ARE THERE ANY EFFECTS ON MEN?
- While men cannot get cervical cancer, they can develop penile cancer or anal cancer. Both penile cancer and anal cancer are extremely rare in the United States. But the risks of getting one of these diseases are greater in gay and bisexual men, and those with weakened immune systems such as those who are infected with HIV or other STIs <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention200822212Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) InfectionSexually Transmitted Diseases2009January 32008Atlanta, GADepartment of Health and Human Serviceshttp://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm<![endif]–>[2]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>.
WHAT ARE THE STATISTICS?
- In 2008, over 11,000 women were diagnosed with Cervical Cancer and almost 4,000 women died from it in the United States. Latin Americans were the most affected by cervical cancer, followed by African Americans and then White Americans <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE Ries LAG200833312Ries LAG, Melbert D, Krapcho M, Stinchcomb DG, Howlader N, Horner MJ, Mariotto A, Miller BA, Feuer EJ, Altekruse SF, Lewis DR, Clegg L, Eisner MP, Reichman M, Edwards BK (eds).SEER Stat Fact SheetsSEER Cancer Statistics Review : 1975-2005.2009January 32008Bethesda, MDNational Cancer Institutehttp://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/cervix.html<![endif]–>[3]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>.
- According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, between 2003-2004, 2 out of every 5 sexually active young women between the ages 14-19 were infected with HPV. And 1 in every 2 sexually active women between the ages 20-24 were infected with HPV <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention200822212Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) InfectionSexually Transmitted Diseases2009January 32008Atlanta, GADepartment of Health and Human Serviceshttp://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm<![endif]–>[2]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>.
- According to the American Cancer Society, it was estimated that there were 1,250 new cases of penile cancer and over 5,000 people got anal cancer in 2008. While these forms of cancer are rare, they can also lead to death if left undiagnosed and untreated <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE American Cancer Society.200911112American Cancer Society.,Cancer Reference Information2009January 32009http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_0.asp<![endif]–>[1]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>.
WHAT SHOULD I DO TO BE PROACTIVE?
- With the exception of abstinence, there is no absolute way to assure prevention of HPV or the potential cancer that can result. But there are ways to minimize the risks.
- Ways to minimize risks include:
- Delay sex
- Use condoms if having sex
- Minimize sexual partners
- Don’t smoke
- Get the HPV vaccine (girls/women only-ages 9-26)
- Get Pap tests regularly (women only)
- Catch pre-cancer cells before they turn into cancer cells <!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.CITE American Cancer Society.200911112American Cancer Society.,Cancer Reference Information2009January 32009http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_0.asp<![endif]–>[1]<!–[if supportFields]><![endif]–>
- Treatment for cancer can include:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Surgery
- If you….
- Do not know your sexual health status and/or
- Have contracted or been exposed to an STI and/or
- Want to obtain more information about STIs or Cancer
…….Please talk to your healthcare provider.
Knowing your health status could be a lifesaver.
For more information regarding the contents of this article, please refer to the following sources below.
SOURCE INFORMATION:
<!–[if supportFields]> ADDIN EN.REFLIST <![endif]–>1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Reference Information. 2009 [cited 2009 January 3]; Available from: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_0.asp.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2008 [cited 2009 January 3]; Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm.
3. Ries LAG, M.D., Krapcho M, Stinchcomb DG, Howlader N, Horner MJ, Mariotto A, Miller BA, Feuer EJ, Altekruse SF, Lewis DR, Clegg L, Eisner MP, Reichman M, Edwards BK (eds). SEER Stat Fact Sheets. SEER Cancer Statistics Review : 1975-2005. 2008 [cited 2009 January 3]; Available from: http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/cervix.html.
January 5, 2009
Categories: Awareness Month, Cervical, CERVICAL CANCER, Cervix, gang, gang violence, genital, Genital human papillomavirus, genital warts, health, HPV, violence, warts . . Author: atliphoneblog . Comments: Leave a comment
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