General Medicine

» tpme - Abnormal PAPS

One thing I'd like to stress is if you have an abnormal PAP, and your doctor, NP, or whomever is your Primary says they think it's nothing and you should have it checked again in a year, that you make sure you know all your facts first.
Be sure you get a copy of the report and understand just what it is saying. If not, then make sure someone explains it to you.
Also, depending on the kind of abnormality, it's possible you'll need it rechecked in either 3-6 months, instead of waiting 'til the yearly.
http://www.wdxcyber.com/npapvg06.htm
Never assume your physician has all the answers. You might be surprised to find out that he/she does not.
When in doubt, insist that it be rechecked anyway. If necessary, get a second opinion.

"Make sure you know which pap abnormality you have."

I'm just now being referred for a colopscopy and a biopsy.

-- posted by tpme

» P_Al - Abnormal PAPS

In response to Abnormal PAPS posted by tpme:

Hi tpme,

Thanks for your advice. As you rightly implied, an abnormal pap smear could mean several things. There are a range of abnormalities on the dysplasia/carcinoma spectrum. There may also be inflammation with or without various types of infection.

From your post it seems that there was an ill-advised delay in your own management. I hope that all will go well with your investigations.

-- posted by P_Al

» tpme - Abnormal PAPS

In response to Abnormal PAPS posted by P_Al:

Hi, I'm sorry if my post came off sounding a little abrupt.

But, yes, I do believe there was an ill-advised delay in my management.

I've been doing a lot of research since recieving these results, as well as talking to the MBCHP people.

In particular, I'm researching "atypical endocervical glandular cells, with reactive changes associated with inflammation." It also states "there are some kinds of cells that show up with this diagnosis that go on to be high grade lesions."

Anyway, I am a little anxious about all this.

And I must apologize for not mentioning previously that I do find your articles informative.

The following is a resource I hope you don't mind my mentioning:

If you live in Maine, and meet their guidelines, the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) will provide free breast and cervical health screenings for women who qualify.

For information about the program call:

Local/Outside of Maine: 1-207-287-8068
Maine Toll Free: 1-800-350-5180
TTY: 1-800-438-5514 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)

It's an excellent program for those who need help paying for these screenings.

-- posted by tpme

» tpme - FMS and Cancer

Hi, again...

I read the following stufy back in 2002. I just wondered what you think of it, and if you've ever come across this link in your own research:

"A study involving 6569 people shows that FMS patients are three times more likely to die from cancer. (8) This statistic remained even after eliminating people who had previously had cancer, as well as those known to be at high risk of developing cancer, such as smokers. This finding was not related to a reduced cancer survival rate in FMS; healthy people and patients with FMS faired the same with regards to surviving cancer. The increase in cancer was solely attributed to an increase in its occurrence and no specific type of cancer stood out as more porminent. The study did not find increased mortality rates in FMS for any other diseases - just for cancer.
Why are FMS patients more susceptible to developing cancer? Levels of distress caused by chronic pain did not correlate with the cancer statistics. The authors speculated that the mechanisms associated with altered pain perception in FMS may be linked to cancer. Of interest, the authors of the fMRI study indicated that some of the abnormal findings in FMS overlapped with those found in cancer pain patients."

1. Gracely, RH, et al. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2002; 46(5):1333-43
2. Petzke F, et al. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2000; 43 (suppl):s2210
3. Katz NP, J Pain Symptoms Manage 2000; 19(1,suppl):s37-41
4. Willmore CB, et al. Neuropharmacology 2001; 41
(8);916-27
5. Bennet R, et al. Am J Med 1998; 104:227-31
6. Bennet R, et al. Arthritis & Rheumatism 2002; 46(5);1344-50
7. Cook MR, et al. Aviat Space Environ Med 2001; 72(12);1102-6
8. Macfarlane GJ. et a;/ BMJ 2001; 323;1-5

Regards,
Tamara

-- posted by tpme

» P_Al - Abnormal PAPS

In response to Abnormal PAPS posted by tpme:
Hi Tamara,

No apologies needed. Thanks for your support. Your anxiety is very understandable. However, you have done the right thing by doing your own research and sharing the responsibility of your management with your care-givers. Knowledge is always increasing so keeping up can be challenging.

Thanks also for your information. There is a discussion thread on cancer support groups. I will add your MBCHP details there as well.
http://cancer.suite101.com/discussion.cf...

-- posted by P_Al

» P_Al - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by tpme:
.
Tamara, I am aware of the link between FMS and cancer, However, I not not certain about the exact cause (not sure that it is really known). I will do some research and get back to this issue.
.
Interestingly, there is another fms associated with cancer. This is a receptor located on the cell surface that binds a substance called macrophage colony stimulating factor (CSF-1). This c-fms has been associated with breast and gynecological (uterine, ovarian and cervical) cancers.
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/co...
.
It appears that CSF-1 may be important in breast development, in addition to other roles.
http://www.ebmonline.org/cgi/content/ful...

-- posted by P_Al