KatScratch wrote:

---

We have come a long way medically, but that doesn't mean they didn't screw up the smear, get a second opinion and then look at all your options.

---

Yes, Plush, mistakes are made all the time.  In any case, I'm sorry this is happening to you.  But you're an extremely tough lady, and if anybody can get through it, you can.

We are here for you babe ...

If you need something ...

Just give us a holler ....

What about...

a second opinion? I think you need a second opinion, yeah thats it, a second opinion, and not my opinion.

USofAcop wrote:

---

A huge penis is not an illness!!! 

---

US, I'm still hoping that Plush will track down your homo ass and molest you.

Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. They all affect the body's basic unit, the cell. Cancer occurs when cells become abnormal and divide without control.

All of the organs of the body are made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This orderly process helps keep us healthy. If cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms. This mass of extra tissue, called a growth or tumor, can be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors are not cancerous. They can usually be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. The most important thing is that cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors are not a threat to life. Polyps, cysts, and genital warts are types of benign growths of the cervix.

Malignant tumors are cancer. Cancer cells can invade and damage tissues and organs near the tumor. Cancer cells also can break away from a malignant tumor and enter the lymph system or the bloodstream. This is how cancer of the cervix can spread to other parts of the body, such as nearby lymph nodes, the rectum, the bladder, the bones of the spine, and the lungs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

Like all other organs of the body, the cervix is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells divide to produce more cells only when the body needs them. This orderly process helps keep us healthy. Cancer of the uterine cervix, the portion of the uterus that is attached to the top of the vagina. Ninety percent of cervical cancers arise from the flattened or "squamous" cells covering the cervix. Most of the remaining 10% arise from the glandular, mucus-secreting cells of the cervical canal leading into the uterus.

According to The National Cancer Institute, the vast majority of cervical cancers can be prevented. Since the most common form of cervical cancer starts with preventable and easily detectable precancerous changes, there are two ways to prevent this disease.

Here is a diagram showing where your cervix is located. The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.

Causes and Risks

 Each year, about 15,000 women in the United States learn that they have cancer of the cervix.

The development of cervical cancer is gradual and begins as a pre-cancerous condition called dysplasia. In this form it is 100% treatable, usually without the need for hysterectomy.

Dysplasia, depending on its severity, can often resolve without treatment. More often it eventually progresses to actual cancer -- called “carcinoma in situ” (CIS) when it has not yet spread, and “microinvasive” when it has spread only a few millimeters into the surrounding tissue and has not yet penetrated blood vessels and lymph channels.

This process may take many years, but once the cancer is established it quickly spreads further into the nearby tissues or to other organs, usually the intestines, liver, and lung. There are often no symptoms of cervical cancer until the disease is advanced.

The majority of women diagnosed today with cervical cancer have either not had regular Pap smears or they have not followed up after having an abnormal smear. Not having regular Pap smears is the single greatest risk factor for a bad outcome in women who develop cervical cancer.

Learn about Gardacil® - A Vaccine to Wipe out Cervical Cancer?

Risk factors for cervical cancer:

 Infection with human papilloma virus or HPV, the cause of genital warts. Not all women who have HPV infection develop cervical cancer. Scientists believe that certain other factors they call cofactors are involved in its development. One cofactor is smoking. Tobacco use damages the immune system and interferes with the body's ability to resist HPV infection in the cervix.

 Multiple sexual partners and/or partners who have multiple partners.

 Early age of first sexual intercourse.

 In the early 1970's, it was discovered that women whose mothers took an estrogen drug during pregnancy called DES (diethylstilbestrol) are at risk of a rare form of cervical and vaginal cancer. This drug was used from 1938 until 1971, and was sometimes combined with prenatal vitamins in the mistaken belief that it prevented miscarriages. If you are old enough to be a “DES baby”, ask your mother if she ever was given this drug. For more information go to the DES Action web page.

  There is a small increased risk of abnormal Pap smears among women who take birth control pills. It is thought that this is because such women are more sexually active, are less likely to use condoms, and have more frequent Pap smears in order to be prescribed the birth control pill.

  Women whose immune systems are weakened, such as those with HIV infection or women who have received organ transplants and are taking drugs to suppress the immune system may be at a higher risk.

  Infections with genital herpes or chronic Chlamydia infections, both STDs, may increase risk

  Poor women may be at higher risk because they are not able to afford regular pap smears. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women. It is much less common in the US, where it has been declining. This is due almost entirely to the use of the Pap smear, which has reduced the death rate from this disease by 70% since it was introduced in 1941. Yet according to the American Cancer Society, 12,800 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in the year 2000, and there were 4,600 deaths from this disease.

Symptoms

Precancerous changes of the cervix usually do not cause pain. In fact, they generally do not cause any symptoms and are not detected unless a woman has a pelvic exam and a Pap test.

Symptoms usually do not appear until abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. When this happens, the most common symptom is abnormal bleeding. Bleeding may start and stop between regular menstrual periods, or it may occur after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam. Menstrual bleeding may last longer and be heavier than usual. Bleeding after menopause also may be a symptom of cervical cancer. Increased vaginal discharge is another symptom of cervical cancer.

These symptoms may be caused by cancer or by other health problems. Only a doctor can tell for sure. It is important for a woman to see her doctor if she is having any of these symptoms.

Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?

Many cases can be prevented! The vast majority of cervical cancers can be prevented. Since the most common form of cervical cancer starts with preventable and easily detectable precancerous changes, there are two ways to prevent this disease.

Sideshow wrote:

---

they say the best cure is sex with canadians, but im not sure.....

---

Was it just a PAP that came back abnormal? Many times that is just the first sign of a problem....did they do that Thin Prep pap?

Sorry for the questions.....

Gosh....just keep us posted! 

texaschickeee wrote:

---

Sideshow wrote:

---

they say the best cure is sex with canadians, but im not sure.....

---

and, let me guess....your the Canadian that is being recommended.....

---

Sideshow wrote:

---

texaschickeee wrote:

---

Sideshow wrote:

---

they say the best cure is sex with canadians, but im not sure.....

---

and, let me guess....your the Canadian that is being recommended.....

---

Dr. Sideshow is dishing out the love.....

---

You know, everytime I see your avatar , I think of a boner.

What a great word.