By: Robert Remler
"The new guidelines will have a major impact on the number of women who are over-screened and over-treated," said Dr. Carmel J. Cohen, M.D., volunteer president of the American Cancer Society Eastern Division. "Because most cervical precancers grow slowly, having a test every two to three years will find almost all cervical precancers and cancers while they can be removed or treated successfully."The American Cancer Society estimates that in New York, 1,000 women will develop invasive cervical cancer this year, and 340 women will die from it.A summary of the new guidelines are:
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Cervical cancer screening should begin approximately three years after a woman begins having vaginal intercourse, but no later than 21 years of age.
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Cervical screening should be done every year with regular pap tests or every two years using liquid-based pap tests. At or after age 30, women who have had three normal test results in a row may get screened every two to three years. But a doctor may suggest getting the test more often if a woman has certain risk factors such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or a weakened immune system.
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Women 70 years of age and older who have had three or more normal Pap test results and no abnormal results in the last 10 years may choose to stop cervical cancer screening.
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Screening after a total hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) is not necessary unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical cancer or precancer. Some other special conditions may require continued screening. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue cervical cancer screening at least until age 70.There also is a promising new test for human papilloma virus (HPV), not yet approved for screening by the FDA, which may be useful in detecting early cervical cancer in women over 30 years of age. If the test is approved, it may be added to the guidelines. For more cancer information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org
Forgetfulness, memory loss doesn't always mean Alzheimer's
More than four million Americans have Alzheimer's, a disease that usually develops in those age 65 or older. This number is expected to triple in the next 20 years as more people live well into their 80s and 90s. During National Alzheimer's Awareness Month, doctors at Winthrop-University Hospital are encouraging people to seek medical guidance when symptoms of memory loss or forgetfulness interfere with daily living, but also are reminding individuals that memory lapses, especially as one grows older, do not always add up to a diagnosis of the disease.At Winthrop's Institute for Neurosciences, the focus is on correct diagnosis when it comes to Alzheimer's, one of many types of dementia. Daniel B. Rubin, M.D., Ph.D., attending neurologist at Winthrop emphasizes the fact that, "there are many other illnesses that can resemble Alzheimer's disease. That is why it is so important to have a full neurological evaluation before jumping to an ultimate conclusion."Dr. Rubin explained that a few of the first signs of Alzheimer's may include short-term memory loss, getting lost in familiar settings, repeating questions and becoming disoriented about time, places or people. Rubin explained that memory loss and/or dementia also can be caused by a slew of other factors including B12 vitamin deficiency, thyroid hormone problems, multiple strokes that cause damage inside the brain and depression, among many others."We do sometimes find treatable causes of dementia that can be reversed," Rubin said. "For example, sometimes the elderly take too many medications, such as sleep medications that impair cognitive function." Rubin noted that not everything is Alzheimer's, but if there is any change in cognition or decline in memory a neurologist is best skilled to determine the cause.When the diagnosis is in fact Alzheimer's disease, a neurologist can work closely with the patient and their family to deal with the symptoms through new drugs designed to slow the progression of the disease in its early stages. Although there is currently no cure, doctors say hope is on the horizon for new treatments, medications and even a vaccine, which is currently being studied. For more information on Alzheimer's Disease or dementia, contact the Institute of Neurosciences at Winthrop at: 1-866-Neuro-Rx.
Be smart about exercise this winter
During the colder months, most people spend more time indoors and become less active. Yet it is important for older adults to remain physically fit. New studies confirm the benefits of exercise for people of every age, and it is never too late to begin an exercise routine. To help senior citizens get started on the road to physical fitness, South Nassau Communities Hospital's free standing Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Therapy (SMART) center is offering a six-week series of exercise classes in late November. Class size will be limited so that physical therapists can individualize a workout routine for each participant. The classes will be held during the day and there is a nominal fee.Each weekly class will begin with stretching, warm-up exercises, and individual workouts such as walking, bicycling, and strength training."The goal is to get older adults started by teaching them appropriate stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercises that they can do everyday," said Smart's Medical Director Edward Capulong, M.D. For more information, call SMART at 516-255-8200
