*Disclaimer I am not a doctor, nor do I specialize in in-depth teachings of any procedures I will discuss in this post. I have tried my best to get the best, most up-to-date information from reputable sources, but if you see an error, please let me know. As always, do not take this as medical advice, this is information provided for you to now do your own research and discuss with your healthcare provider. If you need more information, I have resources I can direct you to where you can have these discussions with people who specialize in these screenings*
May is Women’s Health Month. Not only does it hold Mother’s Day, but it also holds multiple of my sister’s birthdays, as well as some other family and friends. As I think about how much my sisters mean to me, it brings up how precious life is and how important taking care of our bodies is, not only mentally, but physically as well. Staying healthy ourselves is just as important as keeping those around us happy and healthy.
One thing I will always bring up and stress the importance of is, cancer screenings. Working in the medical field brings this to my attention daily and I see the good, bad, and ugly that cancer does to people as well as their loved ones. Watching someone go from a healthy, vibrant, energetic person to someone who is a skeleton of their former self is heartbreaking. I’ve seen this with loved ones as well as patients; seeing their sunken eyes, their body a fourth of what it used to be, watching as they can barely make it 40 feet before having to stop and catch their breath. Seeing the excruciating pain they are experiencing, the deep, to the core pain that requires prescription pain medication to even want to continue to live. Then the neuropathy that inevitably comes with it. Most of the time, even the high doses of medication only penetrate the surface. That’s only part of the physical aspect of pain.
The mental part is just as painful, if not more so at different times. Watching a mom, sister, wife, aunt, mother, grandma, or friend, lost in their mind, leaving the clinic after being told they have cancer. Numb, in total shock. This couldn’t happen to me. How did this happen to me? I’ve done everything right. This only happens to other people. Over the next few months, watching the fear, then the anger, and finally the acceptance. This is actually happening to me. I have a disease that is PREVENTABLE, or at least, if caught early has a high likelihood of being curable. Yes, there are the unlucky few, who no matter what will end up with an incurable cancer, but for the most part, with routine screenings and care, that is something you shouldn’t ever have to go through. You shouldn’t ever have to watch your mom waste away. You shouldn’t ever have to have a painful conversation with your partner about what you want for end-of-life care. You shouldn’t ever have to tell your babies that you’re not going to be around to watch them grow up.
The community I grew up in didn’t have very good healthcare, and typically, seeing the doctor was something you did when something was wrong when you were bleeding or broken. Not very many people have annual visits or routine cancer screenings which usually by the time you’re experiencing abnormal bleeding, or abnormal lumps associated with potential cancer, the upcoming fight is going to be painful, it’s going to take everything you have in you to keep going.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Did you know, more than 4000 women die of cervical cancer each year? Up to 93% of cervical cancers are PREVENTABLE.
It may seem like a waste of time; “I’m fine, I’m not having any pain or abnormal bleeding”. But did you know, the average pap smear only takes a minute or two, with the entire exam lasting approximately 10 minutes? That’s 10 minutes of your time, once every 3-5 years. Recommendations for a pap smear are from 21 years through 65 years. From ages 21-35, you only need a pap smear every 3 years, and from 35-65, it is once every 5 years with HPV co-testing.
Wouldn’t having some strange medical personnel with a strange instrument up in your vagina every 3-5 years be worth it to not have the alternative, cancer, where then you have to deal with endless strange people and endless strange instruments? When you have your exam done, you’re in a safe space. The provider has seen dozens, if not hundreds of vaginas by this point. You’re nothing special, it’s all part of the job. After going over the procedure they will guide you through every step of the way. Speculum in, visualization to make sure everything looks normal, swab your cervix, and boom, you’re done! Now you can have peace of mind that you’re doing your part to stay healthy for not only yourself but for your loved ones as well.
Did you know, having multiple sexual partners in life increases your risk of cervical cancer? This is because you’re at an increased risk of contracting HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, which is a major cause of not only cervical cancer but penile, anal, and throat cancer as well. HPV can be prevented by a vaccine, which is a whole other TED talk, so if you’d like more info on this specifically, please reach out or ask your doctor or nurse. This increased risk applies to anyone with multiple sexual partners, and that includes polygamy, polyamory, open relationships, etc. Just because you’re in love, or you’re married doesn’t decrease the risk.
Breast Cancer Screening
Did you know, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women in the US, but only 1/2 of women who are eligible for a mammogram actually get one?
For a mammogram, recommendations are 45 through 74 years with them being completed every 1-2 years as you and your doctor see is needed. Hell, at 45 years, your boobs have seen most of what the world has to offer, might as well add a mammogram to the resume? What’s one more boob squish?
Now, I’ve never had a mammogram, so I can’t speak from personal experience, but I’ve watched the procedure, I’ve walked through the procedure, I’ve talked to multiple women who’ve had it done and I haven’t met ONE person who said it was so bad and painful that they don’t do it again. One boob squish every 1-2 years could save your life or save the life of someone you love. The average mammogram takes a couple of seconds, with the whole exam lasting 15-40 minutes.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Did you know, colorectal cancer is the 4th most common cancer in the US?
Colorectal cancer screening is a screening recommended from 45 years through 75 years for average at-risk people. This screening is completed every 1- 10 years depending on what you choose to complete for your screening. There are a few different options I will briefly go over.
A FIT kit is a stool test done every year, this is checking for blood in your stool.
Cologuard is also a stool test, which not only tests for blood in your stool but also cancer DNA markers. This is completed every 3 years.
The colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years with no abnormalities visualized.
If any of these tests come back abnormal, follow-through and other testing will then need to be completed. You poop every day, or at least you should poop every day. Might as well let someone at the lab have some to test? I promise you, when it’s your job, it’s just a routine thing. It’s not gross, it’s not taboo. Poop is good, normal, healthy. I could go off on another TED talk about poop, but I’ll stop here for now.
I just want the world to know the importance of these cancer screenings. Let your loved ones know. Do your research, talk with your doctor, and then complete the screening. Then ask your sister if she’s completed her screenings, as your mom, as your wife, as your aunt. It’s so important for us all to help each other be healthy and safe.
Love yourself by loving your vagina, by loving your boobs, and by loving your colon. They’re all vital parts of what makes you, YOU.
Sending you all, Sunshine,
Love, Mary.