Cervical Cancer Archives - Be Well SHBP

Are You at Risk for HPV?

The chances are pretty good that you—or someone you know—is infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). It’s the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, currently affecting a whopping 79 million Americans, most of them in their late teens and early 20s. In some cases, HPV infection can prove deadly, leading to an…

How Often Do You Really Need a Pap Smear?

Some 93 percent of cervical cancers could be prevented through HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination and screenings, including regular Pap tests (also known as Pap smears), which help doctors detect and treat unhealthy cells before they become cancerous or spot cancers early when they’re more effectively treated. As a result, the number of women being diagnosed…

Serious and Not-So-Serious Reasons You Spot Between Periods

Have you ever thought your period was over, only to see spots of blood in your underwear a few days later? If you didn’t pack a panty liner, you’re not alone. Menstrual cycles usually last somewhere between 24 and 38 days, and a regular period can run anywhere from a few days to about a…

What You Should Know About HPV and Cancer

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. It is so prevalent that most people will get it at some point in their lives, says Gretchen Homan, MD, a pediatrician with Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. 79 million Americans are infected with HPV. There are 200 strains of HPV, but only…