View Single Post
 
Old Dec 26, 2005, 12:04 PM
Perzephone's Avatar
Perzephone Perzephone is offline
Veteran Member
 
Member Since: May 2005
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 350
Just a note on waiting for sexual activity before getting a PAP: Anyone can get cancer at any age. The PAP smear is mostly looking for abnormal cell growth and changes within the cervix that may indicate cancer, endometriosis, polyps, cysts & other abnormal problems within the uterus; not just screening for STD's (although sometimes that's included). Usually you have to request STD screenings separately. There are also some bacterial overgrowths and infections that can occur w/out sexual activity happening at all - many of them are associated with depression, stress, dehydration, poor personal hygiene & use of feminine products. Any number of those types of infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease which can cause even greater complications if left unchecked, and for women, a lot of problems don't have symptoms & may not reveal themselves for several years.

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pap.htm

Regular breast exams are also good to get, especially if your family has a history of cancer (like mine). But the thing about the breast exam is that you can DIY it to some extent. The Susan Komen site has a multi-media demonstration:

http://www.komen.org/bse/

Another word of advice: Never be embarrased by your body. We've all got one, and most of us all look funny when we're nekkid. Breasts & vagina are powerful positive words - don't be afraid of them, no different than eyes & fingers & abdomen & feet.
__________________
For every ailment under the sun, there be a remedy or there be none. If there be a remedy, try to find it. If there be none, then never mind it.