Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus with over 150 strains, also called HPV “types.” More than 40 types of HPV are transmitted sexually, and can infect the genitals as well as the mouth and throat. HPV is currently the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and…
Tag: Cancer
Colon Cancer
Overview Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is a cancer that occurs in either the colon or the rectum. Both the colon and the rectum are located in the lower abdominal cavity beneath the stomach. The colon is often referred to as the large intestine and the rectum is the passageway that connects the large…
The Pap Smear
A Pap smear, also known as a Papanicolaou test or Pap test, is a procedure that checks for abnormal cells on the cervix.1 It is named after George Papanicolaou, M.D., who is credited for developing the Pap smear.2 The Pap smear drastically transformed how early cervical cancer can be detected in females.2 The cervix is…
Breast Self-Exam
Performing breast self-exams on a regular basis can help detect breast abnormalities at an early stage. Adult females (ages 20 and older) should perform breast self-exams (BSE) at least once per month. Regularly performing breast exams can help you become familiar with the look and feel of your breasts so that you can more easily…
Testicular Cancer
In early 2021 the estimated number of new cases of testicular cancer was 9,740. It is a rare disease, yet the chance of someone losing their life to it is only 1 in 5,000.1 What is it? Testicular cancer begins in the germ cells located in the testicles. Germ cells are responsible for making sperm…
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that affects the female reproductive system. It generally begins in one of the two ovaries on either sides of the uterus and can often remain undetected for most of the beginning stages. Ovarian cancer is usually identified once it has metastasized (spread) to other parts of the pelvic…
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a female’s uterus is removed. In the United States, hysterectomies are very common, with 1 in 3 women undergoing the procedure by age 60.1 It is the second most common surgical procedure in reproductive-aged women.1 Hysterectomy rates vary in other countries, but the United States contains the…
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the surgical removal of all or some of a patient’s breast tissue, usually performed in order to treat or prevent breast cancer. Mastectomy is not to be confused with lumpectomy, which is the removal of only the cancerous mass from the breast along with a minimal amount of surrounding healthy tissue.1 Mastectomy is…
Penile and Anal Cancers
Cancer is a condition in which mutated cells in the body grow and multiply out of control. Penile cancer is when the mutated cells occur in the tissue of the penis. Anal cancer occurs when the mutated cells occur in the tissue of the anus.For anal cancer, there is an estimated 8,080 new cases in…