NEWS
Pain-free smear tests to be rolled out in US in WEEKS – and it’s hoped they will slash cervical cancers
Starting this fall, women will have access to a simple swab test for cervical cancer in a major update to women’s healthcare.
The screening test for cervical cancer, known as a Pap smear, can be so uncomfortable that women avoid going to the doctor because of it.
Around eight million women who should be screened for cancer haven’t been to the doctor in the past five years.
The delay in care translates to more women unknowingly carrying human papillomavirus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer. And the later the diagnosis is made, the more difficult cancer is to treat.
The current in-office procedure involves a device called a speculum, a cold duck bill-shaped metal device that goes into the vagina and widens it to allow the doctor to take a swab of cells on the cervix.
In addition to being physically uncomfortable, it can be emotionally distressing, particularly for people who have experienced sexual abuse.
But a new model of cervical cancer screening has arrived and allows women to circumvent the speculum entirely.
In May, the FDA approved two self-collection screening tools for cervical cancer from the pharmaceutical companies Roche and Becton, Dickinson and Company.
The tests are done in a doctors office like a traditional Pap smear, but rather than lying down with legs in stirrups while the doctor performs the uncomfortable procedure, the new tests allow women to go into a room, swab their vaginal canals themselves, and leave a sample with the doctor, similar to leaving a urine sample.
In traditional Pap smears, the doctor swabs the cervix and deposits the sample onto a slide and sends it to a cytopathologist, a lab professional who is especially trained to examine cells under the microscope.
The primary goal of a Pap smear is to identify abnormal cells in the cervix that may indicate cervical cancer or precancerous conditions.
The newly-approved self-collections are sent to labs that are now able to test samples from vaginal walls as opposed to the cervix.
The lab tests the sample for strains of HPV most likely to cause cervical cancer.
Dr Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, said: ‘Almost all cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection with certain types of HPV.
‘Self-collection can expand access to screening and reduces barriers, which will give more people the opportunity to detect, treat, and ultimately survive cancer.’
The lab relays those results to the doctor who ordered the testing, and the doctor meets with their patient to discuss them.
By detecting possible HPV, the doctor is then able to determine whether the patient is at risk of developing cervical cancer by testing for precancerouschanc
Dr Shieva Ghofrany, an OB-GYN and Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said: ‘The integration of self-collection with testing for individualized strains of HPV represents a significant advancement in cervical cancer screening.
‘Self-collection provides greater access to testing and [the Becton, Dickinson and Company test] allows health care providers to determine the specific HPV strains present in the samples and more precisely identify and treat individuals at high-risk and avoid unnecessary treatments for women at low risk.’
But a growing wave of women are railing against the deeply entrenched notion that women’s healthcare involves pain and must be accepted.
By detecting possible HPV, the doctor is then able to determine whether the patient is at risk of developing cervical cancer by testing for precancerous changes in cervical cells.
Researchers are hoping to take their innovation a step further and introduce at-home testing that would negate the need for an potentially awkward and painful doctor’s appointment.
It would work in the same way that colorectal cancer screening kits do: a woman would take a swab of her vaginal canal, packages it, and mails it to a lab, which tests for HPV. If the test returns a positive result, the patient and her doctor can discuss steps
The Pap smear has gone relatively unchanged since its inception in the 1940s. It was a revolutionary medical development that has helped slash cervical cancer rates by 70 percent since the pre-screening days.
But a growing wave of women are railing against the deeply entrenched notion that women’s healthcare involves pain and must be accepted.
The dreaded IUD, a notoriously painful form of contraception, is in the midst of a makeover.
Experts at Swiss tech company Aspivixhave invented an alternative method that uses suction to manipulate the cervix, slashing pain in a study by three-quarters.
Menopause symptoms are also getting overdue attention, with several menopause-focused drugs in the pipeline.
The FDA approved the first-ever drug last year specifically to treat hot flashes caused by menopause. Roughly 80 percent of menopausal women get hot flashes.
(Armani)
NEWS
Beverly Hills Cop’ actor John Ashton dead at 76 after battle with…see more
Beverly Hills Cop” star John Ashton has died. He was 76.
The actor passed away “peacefully” in Ft. Collins, Colo., on Thursday, Page Six confirms. TMZ reports he died after a battle with cancer.
“John leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication and service,” his rep Alan Somers told us in a statement.
His memory will forever be treasured by his wife, children, grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters, his extended family and all who loved him,” the statement continued.
John’s impact on the world will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.”
Ashton is survived by his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye.
He was the father of two children, Michelle Ashton and Michael Thomas Ashton, and three stepchildren. His grandson, Henry, “held a cherished place in his heart.”
He filmed over 200 movies during his 50 years in Hollywood and was well known for his role as Sergeant John Taggart in the 1984 movie “Beverly Hills Cop” with Eddie Murphy.
Ashton recently reprised his role in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” which was released on Netflix in July.
In June, he attended the film’s premiere at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The Massachusetts native also starred in the 1988 film “Midnight Run” alongside Robert De Niro and in John Hughes’ 1987 comedy, “Some Kind of Wonderful.”
During a break from acting, he co-hosted the “Ashton and Davis Show” on ESPN Radio.
(Armani)
NEWS
Baseball icon Ozzie Virgil Sr – the first Dominican to ever play in MLB – dead of…see more
Ozzie Virgil Sr, the first Dominican to ever play in the MLB, has died.
He was 92 years old.
Virgil Sr. began his nine-year career in 1956 with the Giants (then of New York), who remembered him on Sunday with a tribute on X.
He later spent time with the Tigers, Athletics, Orioles and Pirates before wrapping up his career back with the Giants in separate stints in 1966 and 1969.
The MLB wrote on its official X account that it was ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of his passing.
Our thoughts are with his son, two-time All-Star catcher Ozzie Virgil Jr., and the rest of the Virgil family,’ they wrote.
Virgil’s presence in the MLB opened the door for many other Dominican players to follow suit.
Today, Dominican players make up 9.83% of all MLB rosters according to World Population Review – the highest figure of any country other than the USA.
Virgil served as a utility player in the big leagues and had a career batting average of .231 with 14 home runs.
After he finished his playing career, he spent 19 years as a coach with the Giants, Expos, Padres and Mariners.
He was born in Monte Cristo, Dominican Republic on May 17, 1932.
(Armani)
NEWS
Will Taylor Swift be at Travis Kelce’s game for Chiefs-Chargers on Sunday?
Travis Kelce is back to playing NFL games in 2024, and now that Taylor Swift is off from the Eras Tour for a couple of months, she has some time when she can once again come to cheer him on at Kansas City Chiefs games. She was there for the Week 1 win and attended the Week 2 victory. She wasn’t there for the Week 3 game in Atlanta.
MORE: 8 photos of Taylor Swift having a blast at the Chiefs-Bengals game
So the question is: will she be there for the Week 4 matchup on Sunday afternoon between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Chiefs? According to our handy Taylor Swift calendar, she appears to not have anything planned that day. Which means we might see her there!
Stay tuned and we’ll see if she’s there.
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