It is a practice....doctors should and probably are advising mothers to get their pap smears after delivery as it is one way of catching them. But sadly, they do not follow up with 3 yearly pap smears after that.

it's a standard practice.. it's written in their red/pink antenatal cards..
but sadly, don't think there is enough emphasis placed on it..
sadly so far, the best time to 'catch' them is when they come with menopausal symptoms or some other complaints..

Cool.. so lets make this awareness spread, starting from LYN!

Any other cool stuff we should know?

well.. that's about it..
can't comment much about the HPV vaccines though..
still needs time to see how effective it is..
probably worth a try if you have the $..

It is effective, only that it is expensive. About 900-1200 for 3 doses, depending on where. But the thing is that, having the vaccine does not exempt you from having a 3 yearly pap smear.

but it does reduces the risk of Cervical GuGu! So what the heck, spend that 1k and at least lower your risks!

well, it's effective.. provided you're not exposed to HPV yet..
more applicable to virgins & partners of condom-users..

Good... a little info about HPV.

They're epitheliotrophic, and the process of malignancy starts with the sequence as below:

1. Asymptomatic latent infection
2. Active infection - But HPV DNA has not integrated into human genome
3. Malignant transformation - Beginning of cancer - Oncogenic HPV DNA is integrated into human genome - slowly becomes cervical cancer

Came across it reading somewhere!

great info!
and so to reinforce my point..
the vaccine is meant to PREVENT infection.. it's more of a SHIELD rather than a CURE..
so the asymptomatic latent infection could have begun even after the 1st 'encounter'..
you don't use a condom after sex, right?
kind of the same logic used in HPV vaccination..

& a PAP smear is kind of like a Urine Pregnancy Test..
during the early weeks, the uterus isn't that large yet..
so you need a screening test to find out if you're pregnant..
anyhow, after a few months, the uterus will be huge & you'll know that you're pregnant anyway..

but in Cervical Cancer, finding out AFTER you have symptoms -> may be too late...

hope my logic isn't screwing up your minds..

Hey, I'm a guy, and I would like to know how often a girl should take this test, and it is for girl who lost their virginity right. How much is it, and where to do it, is it necessary. Thanks, want to bring my gf for check.

PAP smear at govt clinic won't cost much.. should be about rm5?

5 yearly screening reduces the incidence of invasive cancer by 84%
3 yearly screening reduces by 91% , yearly screening: 93%..

If the quality of a cytology service is high, 3 yearly smears are virtually as effective as annual smears
source: IARC Working Group 1986

You naughtly boy! Couldnt wait for wedding night huh? LoL!

Anyway, if it's your first time you shouldnt be worried.. cause I doubt you'll have any diseases.. unless it isnt your first time. Then you might spread unwanted stuff to her!

lol, its been like 3 - 4 yrs back le. just never have the initiative to go for the test.

Hello!

First you say you're a guy when there's a glaring "FEMALE" below your avatar. Something fishy already. Next you said you never have the initiative to go for the test, implying you're a girl.

Whatever your gender is, it doesnt matter la. So what if you're really a girl? Just say you need to go for the test lor... if you're the GUY, then just say you are! Ambiguous gender is very unintellectual!

Hehe.. no offence! Just curious to know who/what you really are!

No la, I'm a guy with a girl tag. What I meant is she never have the initiative to go for the test. Wanna bring her, but dunno where ma.

Then encourage her to go for it! Go along, so she'll feel comfortable

Btw, whatever you say.. we just have to believe you right? Ms Guy?

LOL, dun kacau him anymore la..
although i do get really confused with d "female" tags sometimes..
dunno if i'm talking to a HE or SHE..

Haha.. naughty people playing with their gender.. oh well, will stop whatever!

So you think he/she's gone for the pap smear? No reply.. probably done and satisfied!

Ladies, fyi there's a free public forum on Cervical Cancer @ Sheraton Subang on Mar 15,2009. Must Call Sime Darby Healthcare to reserve seat - Tel -5639 1333 or e-mail to healthcare@simedarby.com.

Great info! Hope that most of the readers in this thread will be there to gain great knowledge first hand from the professionals!