Cervical Cancer Kills 4000 Women Per Year

Cervical Cancer is one of the major health concerns for women. Cervical cancer strikes 11,000 women in the US a year and nearly 4,000 women will die of cervical cancer according to The American Cancer Society. In the world, cervical cancer is the third leading cause of death in women. Half of cervical cancer cases occur in women between the ages of 35 and 55.

Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cases of cervical cancer.

The cancer starts out as an abnormality of cells on the surface of the cervix. These abnormal cells are not cancer. These abnormal cells include dysplasia, squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), and carcinoma in situ. In untreated these abnormal cells eventually invade normal cells of the cervix. Then cancer may then develop at this point and also invade the tissues surrounding the area or lymph nodes.

If caught before these cells spread throughout the body, the prognosis and treatment is straightforward and the outcome more positive.

Cervical Cancer does not cause a lot of symptoms until it is in the advanced stages.  Cervical cancer is not usually detected unless a woman goes in for a cervical exam and pap smear.  These tests are simple and should be performed every two or three years if you have had normal pap smears in the past and have no abnormal symptoms.

The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding, which may start and stop between regular menstrual periods or may occur after sexual intercourse, douching or a pelvic exam. Menstrual bleeding may last longer and be heavier than usual.

Post menopausal symptoms may include bleeding. You may see a increased watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor. Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse may be another symptom.

Risk Factors Include multiple sexual partners. The greater number of sexual partners, having sex before age 18, and STD infections all increase your chance to acquire HPV. If you have a weakened immune system, or smoke cigarettes  your chances are increased for cervical cancer.

If you have any of the above symptoms go to your physician or family clinic for a pelvic and pap smear. Again the symptoms of cervical cancer are very mild in the early stages. You need to get it treated in the early stages not when it has spread to the lymph node glands or other tissues.

Alternative Medicine Is Used In A Majority of Countries

Alternative Medicine is defined as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. This includes prayer, herbs, chinese medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Homeopathy,Orthomolecular medicine, healing therapies, and more.

Alternative Medicine has been used for thousands of years with success in the world. In many countries both alternative medicine and standard medicine work side by side to achieve wellness. In many countries today, herbs and alternative therapies are used by physicians and in hosptials. Here are some facts that may open up your thinking on the subject.

• In China, traditional herbal preparations account for 30%-50% of the total medicinal consumption.

• In Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Zambia, the first line of treatment for 60% of children with high fever resulting from malaria is the use of herbal medicines at home.

• WHO estimates that in several African countries traditional birth attendants assist in the majority of births.

• In Europe, North America and other industrialized regions, over 50% of the population have used complementary or alternative medicine at least once.

• In San Francisco, London and South Africa, 75% of people living with HIV/AIDS use TM/CAM.

• 70% of the population in Canada have used complementary medicine at least once.

• In Germany, 90% of the population have used a natural remedy at some point in their life. Between 1995 and 2000, the number of doctors who had undergone special training in natural remedy medicine had almost doubled to 10 800.

• In the United States, 158 million of the adult population use complementary medicines and according to the USA Commission for Alternative and Complementary medicines, US $17 billion was spent on traditional remedies in 2000.

• In the United Kingdom, annual expenditure on alternative medicine is US$ 230 million.

• The global market for herbal medicines currently stands at over US $ 60 billion annually and is growing steadily.

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There is a wealth of research, double blind research projects that are published by other countries every year. This is government research and very reliable research. The only thing wrong with this reseach is that the FDA and AMA do not accept it.  Drugs and drug sales are worth millions of dollars to the drug companies. They cannot make money on herbs. There will be more on these subjects.

This site is to stand up for alternative medicine and therapies, to help educate those who wish to open their minds  and learn the truth that is evident in other countries but being covered up here in the US.

Making Peace With My Wrinkles

I have made peace with my wrinkles!

I am older than most of you here on PNN.  I am a grandmother with 2 daughers and a son the age of many of you. I have 4 grandchildren. I was reading your posts tonight and I am so glad I am in this stage of my life! There are so many wonderful things about being 57.

I can talk on the phone without constant interruption.

I can go to church and hear the whole sermon. I can go to a movie that I want to see even if it not PG rated. Its funny though, I enjoy some of the kids movies more than the adult ones. I am at ease at saying I enjoy the kid's movies and I don't care if someone thinks that is silly. As you get older, there is far less importance given to what others think about you.

I can watch Sex In the City CDs at any time of the day and not have to wait until the kids are gone or asleep.

My partner and I can make love without the doors being locked and when the mood strkes us. We have more energy to make love. Your sex drive and enjoyment of sex increases when there are no children around to interrupt. Its wonderful not having  to worry about getting pregnant and just have fun.

I can go shopping in peace without diaper bags and children in tow.

I have time to to pursue some special things in my life such as writing that there was never time for when I was young. I can be a little selfish. I have more energy for my special projects. I remember that by the time I got the kids in bed, I was too tired to do much but fall into bed.

I can take a warm bath without the kids knocking on the door needing something. I can get right in the bath tub without removing toys first. I can sleep in at times and just enjoy the peace in the house.

I can buy whipped cream and its actually still there when I go to add it to my hot chocolate. I remember the times when the can was there in the refrigerator door but empty.

I have the courage to wear shorts when its hot. I was always shy about waring shorts because I don't tan and my legs are really white. At 57 being cool is much more important than looking just so.

I speak my mind more now than at 30. I am more apt to communicate my needs to my partner. I am more honest with how I really feel.

I don't have periods anymore or the bad days that went with them. No more arranging my life around 'that dreaded week' every month. I had awful periods so I celebrated when at last they were gone.

I am over menopause...Thank God....and all of that. I didn't have the depression or hot flashes but I sure don't miss the fibroid tumor problem. All that is over.

I can pick up my grandkids, have fun, and give them back.

I don't have to worry how I am going feed my kids or pay for college...they are grown and have families of their own. Those worries and responsibilities are gone.

I have finally gotten to the point where I can let go of my children. They have their own lives and must live them. They will have hard times and better times and they must endure them with the help of God. I cannot run after them and take the hurts away. I have no magic wand to make their lives easier. I must let them go. I am there for support and understanding. I am there to give them a lift when life gets rough. But they are grown and must ultimately get it done on their own.

I can enjoy tea with my daughters. They are not only daughters but my best friends. No more arguments over boys or dating or cleaning their room. As they get older, I enjoy them more and we become closer. We have a bond that grows deeper as they get older. They understand things are not always black and white but with tinges of grey. They understand that as women we make decisions at times for survival.We can talk at levels that only come with experience and maturity.

I look in the mirror and the wrinkles (only a few) are ok. I have finally conceeded that I am aging and its ok.  I earned them and the white hair that I color). I look at my face with a smile rather than a grimace. I don't spend so much time to trying to look younger.  I take care of my skin but not to look younger.

I am proud that I am at my high school weight but my breasts are not quite what they used to be. Breasts sag a little with time and things don't tone up so easily. It takes a lot more work to keep things up. Sooner or later you just have to be thankful you still have breasts -healthy breasts. I am so blessed that I have not had breast cancer at 57.

I am less in a hurry. I enjoy the day with much less guilt about what did not get done. I can live with chores that did not get done. Its just life. I am writing and the laundry is not done. It will be there tomorrow.

I enjoy the quiet things in life much more such as my herb garden, my vegetable garden, and my scented geranims. I am my mom at last. I could never understand the pleasure she got watching her hummingbirds and watering the garden. She would say it was her way to relax. Now I understand it and get such great joy from doing the same thing. I understand my mother now  even though she has been gone for years. I understand her diary she left at the last.

I  have read some of the posts written here by some of you. Many of you are young women and young mothers. I am thankful I am through all of it.  To all of you who are young mothers, I send you blessings and patience. I just want all of you know that before you know it, they will leave home, and go off on their own. You will at last have a minute to yourself.

Don't fear growing older for it is the reward after working for years to raise your kids. I am at peace with myself now and who I am. I have a quiet peace in my heart as well. The restlessness is gone. Growing older is a beautiful gift and I am finally enjoying it.