CERVISAFE : FIRST STEP TO PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER

What is Cervisafe?
A self-sampling-kit used for collecting sample from your cervix.  This device is made in such a way that sampling collection can even be done by you at home and convenience.

Who should be screened?
According to American Cancer Society guidelines, cervical cancer screening should begin at the age of 21 after becoming sexually active. However, women should talk to their doctor first about when to start screening and how often to be screened. Cervisafe is specially designed to fit for woman's vagina which allows self-collection practical and comfortable without the assistance of a clinician.

Indication for use
Cervisafe should NOT be used when the user has the following conditions :
- Pregnant or suspected pregnancy
- Never have had sexual intercourse
- Menstrual period


Instructional Video

HPV AND CERVICAL CANCER

What Is HPV?
Almost all cervical cancer cases are caused by infection with oncogenic, or high risk, types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). With just these two high-risk HPV types, 16 and 18, is responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancer. These sexually transmitted viruses can also cause anal cancers; vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers; and some oropharyngeal cancers.

What is cervical cancer?
Begins in cells on the surface of the cervix. It occurs when abnormal cells in the cervix turn into cancer cells. Over time, the cervical cancer can invade more deeply into the cervix and nearby tissues. It takes up to 10 – 20 years for the abnormal cell changes to develop into cervical cancer.



What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?
 Early stage of cervical cancer usually do not have any symptoms. When the cancer grows larger, women may notice abnormal vaginal bleeding:- Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods - Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam - Menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before - Bleeding after going through menopause Women may also notice: - Increased vaginal discharge - Pelvic pain - Pain during sex Can cervical cancer be prevented? Cervical cancer is the easiest cancer to prevent, with early screenings and regular follow-up. Two simple screening tests can help prevent the cancer or find it early: Pap test (or Pap smear) screens for precancers or cell changes on the cervix that might become cancer if they are not treated appropriately. In many developed countries, the Liquid-based Pap test has largely replaced the conventional Pap test. Both tests have similar ability to detect the cell abnormalities but the Liquid-based Pap test has been reportedly to have higher sensitivity rate, hence, lowering the chances of false-negative Pap results. HPV test detects for the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause these cell changes, which is also the main cause of cervical cancer. The HPV test can detect HPV infections even before the cell abnormalities are evident.

Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a term used to describe changes in the squamous cells of the cervix.

CIN is not cancer, but treatment may be needed to prevent squamous cell cervical cancer developing. You may hear some doctors use the term pre-cancerous condition to describe CIN.

Treatment isn't always needed for CIN, but if you do need treatment it's usually very successful.

Causes of CIN

Not all the causes of CIN are known. But they include:

Smoking

Women who smoke are almost twice as likely to develop CIN as non-smokers.

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

The main cause of CIN is infection of the cervix with certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). There are over 100 types of the virus, and the most common types can cause warts on the hands or verrucas on the feet. Some types can affect the genital area including the cervix, although not all of these will show any symptoms such as warts. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can lead to CIN. The types that cause genital warts are known as low-risk HPV types. needed for CIN, but if you do need treatment it's usually very successful.

WHAT DOES THE TEST RESULT TELLS YOU?

The sample will be sent to our certified laboratory to detect pre-cancerous lesions or changes in the cervical cell, and detects for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is the main cause of cervical cancer. The lab will not only provide HPV DNA test but also Liquid based Pap test.

Liquid based Pap Results
For Cytology results, the reporting system is based on The Bethesda Classification 2001. Refer to the interpretation and recommendation described in the report.

Cytology: The medical and scientific study of cells. Cytology refers to a branch of pathology, the medical specialty that deals with making diagnoses of diseases and conditions through the examination of tissue samples from the body.

Cytologic examinations may be performed on body fluids (examples are blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid) or on material that is aspirated (drawn out via suction into a syringe) from the body. Cytology also can involve examinations of preparations that are scraped or washed (irrigated with a sterile solution) from specific areas of the body. For example, a common example of diagnostic cytology is the evaluation of cervical smears (referred to as the Papanicolaou test or Pap smear).

www.medicinenet.com

NEWS & ARTICLES ON CERVICAL CANCER AND HPV

Cervical Cancer Third Most Common Cancer Among Malaysian Woman
Source : New Straits Times Online
Date Published : 7 January 2016

KUALA LUMPUR: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among Malaysian women, according to an expert. Head of Cancer and Health Screening Clinics of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), Dr Dalilah Kamaruddin, said that, previously, cervical cancer was named the second most common cancer in Malaysia, but this had changed over the years due to the increased awareness among women. “I can positively say that the public awareness on cervical cancer is much better these days as people are more exposed and informed about this illness, thus making them come forward to have their health screenings done. “However, despite the fact that more people are aware of cancer, there are still many people who refuse to get themselves checked as they are too shy to do so,” she told Bernama in an exclusive interview here today.

“However, despite the fact that more people are aware of cancer, there are still many people who refuse to get themselves checked as they are too shy to do so,” she told Bernama in an exclusive interview here today. She said this after the Miss Tourism World 2015 Contestants Visit at the headquarters of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. Over 50 contestants had the opportunity to help raise public awareness on cancer and the importance of early detection and screenings as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in this pageant. Meanwhile, Dr Dalilah said that based on the International Agency for Research on Cancer (GLOBOCAN) statistics, in every four minutes a woman would die of cervical cancer in the Asia Pacific region, which includes Malaysia. She said that this statistics crucially showed that cervical cancer could not be taken lightly by women, but instead should seen as an illness that needed early diagnosis and treatment.

“Women from all ages and walks of life must clearly understand that if this cancer is detected earlier, then the chance of recovery is much better,” she said. She also added that in years to come, the number of women suffering from cervical cancer might drop as many women had become more health conscious, led a healthy lifestyle and were more open to talk about the deadly illness. “I hope that the number of women who will come forward to meet us at NCSM to get themselves screened will increase particularly throughout this month as we are having the cervical cancer awareness campaign. “The campaign offers special cervical cancer screening, as well as vaccination packages for women who wants to get themselves examined,” she said. Dr Dalilah also advised women to undergo regular medical check-up so that proper health screenings can be done to detect this illness.