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)
CELEBRITY
Angry Patrick Mahomes says he will LEAVE the NFL and accuses the NFL of risking player safety before huge run of Chiefs games “If there’s no changes, I will leave” – Full Story Inside
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have an extremely congested schedule coming up – and the passer is far from thrilled with the NFL.
The two-time defending champions will embark on a stretch of three games in 11 days beginning this weekend when they face the Browns on Sunday, before hosting the Texans on December 21 and then traveling to the Steelers on Christmas.
And while the Chiefs are sitting pretty atop the AFC with a 12-1 record, Mahomes seems to be dreading his team’s next couple of weeks.
‘It is not a good feeling,’ he told reporters on Wednesday, per ESPN. ‘I’m excited to play on Christmas to hopefully get back from what we did last year [when the Chiefs lost to the Raiders], but you never want to play this many games in this short of time.
‘It’s just not great for your body. But at the end of the day, it’s your job, your profession. You have to come to work and do it.’
Mahomes added, ‘All you can do is focus on the game and the practice that you had that day. I try to prepare my body all year long for this stretch by tailoring my workouts, tailoring how you practice and you prepare. The coaches do a great job of taking care of us on the practice field. We practice hard as anybody, but they know how to kind of dial it back when we need it.’
In addition to the Chiefs, the Texans, Steelers and Ravens will also be playing three games in the next 11 days.
Crucially, though, the Ravens and Texans are coming right off of a bye in Week 14, while the Steelers had their break in Week 9.
The Chiefs haven’t had a rest since they returned from their Week 6 bye – a fact that defensive star Chris Jones was eager to point out.
‘This is one thing I’m doing this offseason is I’m going to the NFLPA, especially with us having three games in [an 11-day] span, that we’re mandatory to have a late bye week,’ he said.
‘With our schedule, it’s kind of awkward, to say the least. … That’s a conversation to have this offseason. If a team has somewhat of a schedule like that, they should get a late-season bye. We don’t need a Week [6] bye … Give it to us in Week 8, Week 10, something like that.’
Mahomes and Co. will have a week-and-a-half to recover after their Christmas Day game before facing the Broncos in Week 18 on January 5.
And if Kansas City manages to wrap up a first-round playoff bye before Week 18 – as they currently have a two-game AFC lead over the Bills – Mahomes and the team’s other starters could be held out of the final regular season game.
The quarterback then wouldn’t play until January 18 or 19 in the divisional round.
CELEBRITY
Selena Gomez, 32, Is Engaged to Benny Blanco, 36! Star Flaunts Massive Diamond Ring, Shares Sweet Photos, Hilarious Proposal Clips – and Reveals the Wedding Date Along With Another Shocking Surprise: “Our Prayers Have Been Answered, We’re Expecting…”
Selena Gomez shocked fans on Wednesday night by revealing she is now engaged to her boyfriend Benny Blanco after a year and a half of dating.
The singer, 32, revealed the news on Instagram, sharing the first photos of her massive diamond engagement ring with her 422million followers.
‘forever begins now..’ captioned the Who Said singer. She also included a photo of herself showing off her ring for the camera as Blanco, 36, wrapped his arm around her and kissed her head.
Blanco — a famed music producer — seemingly popped the question during a romantic nighttime picnic featuring Taco Bell.
The couple received an outpouring of love from theor A-list celebrity friends, including Cardi B, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Gomez’s BFF Taylor Swift.
Swift — who has been friends with Gomez since 2008 — offered to be the couple’s ‘flower girl.’
Blanco himself also left a cheeky comment in which he referred to Gomez as his ‘wife.’
‘hey wait… that’s my wife,’ wrote the musician, who earned nearly 150,000 ‘likes.’
Gomez has been dating Blanco since June 2023, though she did not confirm the relationship until that December. At the time, she used Instagram to confirm to fans that she’d been secretly dating the hitmaker for six months and that he was her ‘absolute everything.’
Previously, the Wolves songstress dated The Weeknd, Zedd, Nick Jonas, Taylor Lautner and was linked to a number of other stars, including Zayn Malik and The Chainsmokers’ Andrew Taggart. She also famously had an on-and-off relationship with Justin Bieber, 30, that spanned eight years, before they called it quits in 2018. He is now married to model Hailey Bieber, 28, and they welcomed a baby son in August.
Before getting romantic, Gomez and Blanco were friends for over a decade and even worked on music together.
He has produced three of the singer’s biggest hits, including the 2021 tune I Can’t Get Enough and 2015’s Same Old Love.
Selena Gomez shows off engagement ring from fiance Benny Blanco. Last month, Blanco revealed that it was Gomez who made the first move.
‘She asked me out. It was crazy, it was crazy. She literally asked me… like we were just talking, and then she said, “You wanna get dinner?” And I went to the dinner, and I had no idea,’ he explained on Kai Cenat’s Twitch stream.
Drama
Breaking news: Chargers Coach, Brandon Staley, has issued a stern warning to chiefs QB Patrick mahomes over irregularities and foul plays against tomorrow’s match ” Accused NFL of…
Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles Chargers Coach, Brandon Staley, has issued a stern warning to Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, regarding alleged irregularities and unsportsmanlike conduct ahead of tomorrow’s crucial matchup.
Staley’s Statement “Patrick Mahomes has consistently pushed the boundaries of fair play. We will not tolerate any gamesmanship that compromises the integrity of the game. We’re prepared to take action if necessary.” – Brandon Staley.
Alleged Irregularities
1. Late-game celebrations
2. Excessive trash talk
3. Alleged tampering with opponent’s equipment
Head Coach Andy Reid dismissed Staley’s claims, saying, “Patrick’s a class act. We’re focused on winning, not worrying about distractions.”
Tomorrow’s Showdown
The Chargers and Chiefs face off in a highly anticipated matchup. Fans eagerly await the outcome, knowing that sportsmanship and fair play will be on full display
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