Abnormal Pap Smears: What Every Woman Needs to Know
Author: Lynda Rushing
More than 4 million women each year experience abnormal Pap smears. This comprehensive guide discusses the relationship of cervical cancer to infection by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) and underscores how crucial Pap smears are for cervical cancer prevention. The authors cover the meaning of different Pap smear diagnoses, ranging from atypical to full-blown cervical cancer, while simple and clear line drawings illustrate pertinent female anatomy and normal-to-abnormal cell changes.
Vital to the book are interspersed personal interviews, which provide firsthand information on women's feelings about their abnormal Pap smears as well as their experiences with cervical disease. These personal vignettes offer insights into the social and emotional effects that often result from an abnormal Pap smear. Since suboptimal tests can produce misleading results, tips are provided to help women improve their chances of receiving the most accurate Pap smear.
New to this revised edition is the most current information on cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer and their treatments. It details the latest developments in HPV testing, as well as the new liquid-based Pap test. Last, the future of Pap smears and cervical cancer prevention is explored, with special emphasis on the recently approved HPV vaccines.
The first edition was chosen by Nurse Practitioner and Library Journal as one of the best consumer health books available. Now fully updated, this clearly written, very approachable guide fills a vital women's health need.
About the Author:
Lynda Rushing, MD, is a pathologist affiliated with Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and a clinical assistantprofessor at Tufts University Medical School
About the Author:
Nancy Joste, MD, is professor of pathology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, director of anatomic pathology and cytopathology at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, and codirector of anatomic pathology at TriCore Reference Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Doody Review Services
Reviewer: Marilee M. Means, B.S., M.A., Ph.D. , SCT (ASCP) (University of Kansas Medical Center)
Description: This book attempts to explain the causes of cervical neoplasia, the treatment procedures used, and the terminology that a woman might encounter when being evaluated for cervical neoplasia after an abnormal Pap smear result.
Purpose: The authors express a desire to help women understand the significance of an abnormal Pap smear result as well as the role HPV has in the development of cervical cancer and its precursors. The book fulfills these objectives quite well.
Audience: The authors, both women cytopathologists with years of experience, have written an exceptionally clear and easy to use book for the lay audience. Patients often become quite upset when learning of an abnormal Pap result. This book is not only medically accurate and up-to-date, but also provides a much needed resource for patients.
Features: The authors begin with an enviably clear explanation of female anatomy, normal and abnormal histology of the female genital tract, and cytology and its role in evaluating Pap smears. Simple, easy to understand diagrams show the various stages of cervical disease. The authors discuss the relationship of cervical neoplasia to HPV, and how women can deal with the treatment needed to combat cervical disease. They share personal stories of women affected by the disease and offer advice in getting the best possible results from the test. There is a list of frequently asked questions as well as two appendixes listing both questions for one's doctor and additional resources. A glossary of medical terms is a most helpful feature.
Assessment: This well-written, easily understandable book for a lay audience is medically accurate and, most of all, a source of information and comfort for any woman going through the pain, anxiety, and uncertainty of diagnosis and treatment for cervical disease. At a time when the death rate from this preventable cancer is much higher than what is optimally possible, this book fills a gap in the public's understanding that can help women combat this quite personal and distressing disease.
Library Journal
Millions of women experience abnormal Pap smears each year, but how many of these patients know what the test screens for, what they can do to ensure optimal results, how laboratory errors can affect their results, what various diagnoses mean, and what to expect in follow-up and treatment procedures? Rushing, medical director of cytology and gynecologic pathology at Pathology Services, Inc., and Joste, a medical doctor and associate professor of pathology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, cover these topics and more. They also consider the link between cervical cancer and human papillomaviruses, new Pap smear technologies, suggestions on how to deal with a cervical cancer diagnosis, cervical cancer prevention, personal stories from women who have experienced abnormal Pap smears, and a Pap smear FAQ. Selected chapter references, a glossary, and a very brief appendix featuring general references, web sites, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers complete the book. The authors do an excellent job of explaining concepts, procedures, and test results, but the frequent, albeit necessary, use of medical terminology and acronyms may make some readers' heads spin. Still, this book fills a void in women's consumer health literature. Recommended for public libraries and other libraries with consumer health collections. (Index not seen.) Samantha J. Gust, Niagara Univ. Lib., NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Rating
4 Stars! from Doody
Table of Contents:
Foreword Christopher P. Crum, MD 9Foreword Alan G. Waxman, MD 11
Preface 13
Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomaviruses: Sexually Transmitted Diseases 15
Pap Smears 101 31
How to Read Your Pap Smear Report 61
Follow-up and Treatment of Abnormal Pap Smears: What You Can Expect 85
The Problem Pap Smear 121
Cervical Cancer: Dealing with the Diagnosis 133
Women's Stories 159
Obtaining an Optimal Pap Smear Result 183
The New Technologies: Better Cervical Cancer Prevention 203
Lifestyle and Cervical Cancer Prevention 231
New Directions in Cervical Cancer Prevention: The Promise of the HPV Vaccine and Other Advances 245
Your Turn: Frequently Asked Questions About Pap Smears and HPV 267
Understanding Your Abnormal Pap Smear 299
Questions for Your Doctor 305
Additional Information 309
Selected References 313
Glossary 329
Index 339
New interesting book: Microeconomics or The Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Marketing
The Women's Migraine Survival Guide: The Most Complete, Up-To-Date Resource on the Causes of Your Migraine Pain--And Treatments for Real Relief
Author: Christina Peterson
Of the 23 million Americans who suffer from migraines, nearly 18 mil-lion are women. Factors such as hormones, lifestyle, and diet--which vary vastly in women and men--are now being shown to affect what is still considered an unpredictable and hard-to-treat ailment.
The Women's Migraine Survival Guide offers pragmatic, practical advice specifically for women to help them understand their migraines and find treatments for real relief. It reveals the latest in breakthrough medications like Imitrex,Amerge, Zomig, and Maxalt and the new forms they are taking( nasal sprays and rapidly dissolving tablets). It also offers sound advice on alternative holistic remedies such as supplements, acupuncture, and herbs.
You'll Find Out:
- What a migraine really is and why it affects more women than men
- What your personal triggers are and how to prevent an oncoming attack
- What menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause have to do with migraines which prescription and nonprescription drugsbest relieve your individual symptoms
- Which vitamins and alternative remediesare safe, reliable, and offer real relief
- How to keep migraines from restricting your life
Publishers Weekly
As a neurologist specializing in migraine and headache care (and one of America's 18 million female migrane sufferers as well as), Peterson is well prepared to advise women on coping with this chronic problem. While admitting up front that medical science has not yet learned just how or why migraines begin, she nevertheless provides a great deal of basic, helpful information, describing the different kinds of migraines and their symptoms and demolishing the many confusing myths about them. She outlines the most common factors that trigger migraines and demonstrates how to keep a headache diary that will help a woman and her physician identify her specific triggers and thus avoid them. The all-important matter of finding the right doctor is treated frankly, and the vast assortment of medications and alternative therapies currently available is described fully. Since hormonal changes are the reason why three times as many women as men have migraines, Peterson's discussions of the effects of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause on migraines are especially valuable. Helpful tips on coping with migraines at work and at home are also included in this practical, accessible guidebook. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
