General Medicine

» tpme - Abnormal PAPS

In response to Abnormal PAPS posted by P_Al:

Did I mention that I'm actually scared silly? :O

I'm thankful to have found your site at this particular time, though.

I'm trying not to needlessly worry my friends and family so it's very helpful to find a place where I can express this as well as find support, including helpful information.

Thanks for adding the info to that discussion. I've added a few other links there as well.

Well, I had hoped that study was just a fluke of some kind. I hadn't really done further research on the subject since that time.

I'll certainly be interested in what you do find.

Thanks also for those links. I'll check them out asap.

Regards,
Tamara

-- posted by tpme

» redback - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by P_Al:

I can't track it down now but I was reading about a newer test that is less invasive than the pap smear, more accurate and needed to be tested less often. It would cost $AUD40 per test but my computer refuses to find it again.

Do you know what i'm talking about?

-- posted by redback

» P_Al - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by redback:
Not sure, but i'll do a bit of research in the coming week. Have been a bit busy over the weekend. I now have a few things to look at in the next few days

-- posted by P_Al

» tpme - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by redback:

I found an article here that might be what you're referring to -

http://www.obgyn.net/women/women.asp?pag...

I found a few other articles as well, but they all mostly referred to the same thing.

Hope this helps!

Tamara

-- posted by tpme

» P_Al - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by tpme:

Many of these are improvements on the old pap smear. Others are novel e.g. targeting HPV. It's somewhat disturbing to think of the high levels of false negatives and inadequate sampling associated with the test. However, I am sure the interval between tests compensates for these limitations.

-- posted by P_Al

» P_Al - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by tpme:

I have found further studies on the possible link between FMS and cancer. It seems that the link is not quite settled. Two recent studies with 1361 and 6565 persons respectively found opposite results.

J Rheumatol. 2007 Jan;34(1):201-6.
Arthritis Rheum. 2003 Jun;48(6):1686-92

If there is a link, the cause of this susceptibility is also not established. However, the second study has examined some potential leads, all of which appear to be dead ends at this time. These include decreased physical activity and abnormal levels of insulin-like growth factor and cortisol.

-- posted by P_Al

» redback - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by tpme:

Thanks, Tamara. I'm thinking it talked about something else??? But the problem is sometimes publicity is disguised as a news item and I'm usually cautious about that. I wrote it down and can't find it and I also can't backtrack on my computer. I'll have to blame my computer only for its part in losing things.

-- posted by redback

» P_Al - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by redback:

The only less-invasive test that I am finding is for the HPV, which Tamara's link contains.

I also found a link from the American Academy of Family Physicians with several newer approaches to cervical cancer screening. These include video technologies that may enhance the effectiveness of the test.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010901/780.html

-- posted by P_Al

» tpme - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by P_Al:

Hi again.. thought it time I checked back in to see what's new here.

It is disturbing to think of the inadequacies associated with the test, but I'm relieved to see you believe there is compensation for the limitations, Paul.

Thank you for the information regarding FMS and cancer. Let's hope the study I found was just a fluke and there is no actual susceptibility.

You're welcome, redback. I know what you mean about your computer losing things, though.. Mine has a habit of doing that very same thing as well. ;-)

-- posted by tpme

» P_Al - FMS and Cancer

In response to FMS and Cancer posted by tpme:

No Problem. Further studies may reveal the true picture.

In terms of compensation, I was referring to my assumption that due to the fairly small interval between recommended screenings, many inadequacies will be caught before they become catastrophic. However, this is not really a comforting thought!

-- posted by P_Al