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Breakthroughs in Women's Health--Part One

Hi Ladies: Breakthroughs in women's health has become one of the fastest growing areas of research in recent years. For generations, women's health was a completely neglected area of medicine.

Many of them are extremely important, while others are good to have and may lead to further advances in the future.

Here, we will be taking a look at three of six recent discoveries that could change the face of women's medicine.

#1) New Breakthroughs in the Fight Against Cervical Cancer

It has been determined by experts in several cancer-related organizations, including The National Cancer Institute and the Society for Women's Health Research, that cervical cancer is caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) in nearly all cases. How does that knowledge help us? There are routine tests for HPV which can be administered to any sexually active female.

It is estimated that up to 75% of sexually active women in the world have contracted HPV. It is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and often goes unnoticed because of a lack of symptoms. Of the women infected, roughly 10% will have precancerous cells in their cervix and of those women, 8% will end up with cervical cancer.

When caught in the early stages, usually through a Pap smear test, cervical cancer is . However,if left untreated, it can be extremely deadly. This is the reason Pap Tests are so important. Now that we know HPV causes most cases of cervical cancer, we can focus our attention on watching women who are at risk.

The FDA has approved a new cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil. That's right, a vaccine against cancer. This one works to prevent the woman from being infected with the cancer-causing HPV in the first place. Unfortunately, it is useless against existing infections.

According to researchers, the best way to administer the HPV vaccine is before women become sexually active. This would mean using it on fairly young firls and some groups are against the idea. Once a girl is sexually active, annual Pap Tests are the best prevention method.

#2) New Breakthrough--No-Period Birth Control Pill Approved by the FDA

The FDA recently approved a new low-dose birth control pill called Lybrel, the first of its kind to be approved. Lybrel is specially designed to give women birth control, without having their period.

has long since done the same thing, but with a shot lasting 3 months, it was difficult to get off it if desired. Also, the side effects of Depo-Provera can be quite severe in comparison with a daily dose contraception pill.

While some women prefer the security of having their period each month and confirming that their birth control is functioning, many question the need to deal with monthly bleeding and cramps if they aren't trying to get pregnant. Lybrel addresses this issue and can even stop PMS complaints such as bloating, cramps and mood swings. For some, this benefit outweighs the possibilities of breakthrough bleeding.

With the new birth control being FDA approved, it won't be long before this is a normal option in contraception. Women everywhere rejoice at the thought of no longer dealing with menstruation!

#3) New Breakthrough--Finding Missed Breast Tumors

A recent study by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network discovered that doing breast exams with MRI is far more effective than the standard mammogram. It is also a better way to diagnose breast cancer than a simple clinical trial and the implications are astounding.

It is now technologically possible to find breast cancer tumors before they have a chance to spread. Breast cancer often moves from one breast to the other and there may be a lapse of up to ten years before the cancer is readily noticeable in the second breast. The American College study worked off of this base, searching for signs of tumors in the secondary breast. They found that 91% of cancerous tumors in the second breast were missed by mammograms and checkups, but were readily found by MRI.

Finding breast cancer at such an early stage means that it doesn't have to be life threatening. The removal of these tiny tumors in relatively painless and very easily done. Since they haven't spread to lymph nodes or surrounding tissue yet, the cancer has a far better chance of going into permanent remission.

At this point, MRI technology use as a breast cancer diagnostic is not readily available. It is still very expensive and that is a major factor in whether or not it will be used to look for breast cancer without due cause. Pity.

SBI!