the docs are in health &
the docs are in health & wellness Women, Be Wise: Don’t let myths keep you from vital tests By Paul Hakim, M.D. There are numerous myths that surround the infamous “Pap smear.” A common misperception in our culture is that getting a Pap test will ruin a woman’s virginity. Many Chaldean girls learn at a young age that the perception of virginity equates with a release of blood from the vagina during their first sexual intercourse. Whether they were taught this by their parents, had it whispered to them by friends, or read it in a magazine … it is simply not true. Bleeding from the vagina after intercourse may not happen for all women. In fact, only 20 percent of women will bleed after having intercourse for the first time. Stretching or tearing of a thin membrane in the vagina called the hymen may cause bleeding. All women are born with a hymen, which is defined as the thin tissue layer that surrounds or partially covers the vaginal opening. The hymen is shaped differently in each woman and may be partially opened at birth. Vaginal intercourse can stretch the hymen and create bleeding, but other things such as riding a bike, gymnastics, using tampons or injury can also disrupt and stretch the hymen. It is true that during a pelvic exam a woman’s hymen may slightly stretch, but this does not equate with her losing her virginity. I would like to dispel this myth and encourage the women in our community to initiate and maintain pap screening at regular intervals. Pap testing will help detect a virus called HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). In fact, HPV is so common that nearly every sexually active individual will contract the virus at some point in their lives. Fortunately, our immune systems will usually fight off most strains of HPV, but a significant number of people will develop health problems such Paul Hakim, M.D. SPECIAL TO THE CHALDEAN NEWS as genital warts or even cancer. There are approximately 12,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer in the U.S. each year and about 4,000 will die from the disease. The unfortunate part is that these cancers are completely preventable if the HPV virus is detected in the early phases of infection or its spread is eradicated. Another common myth that many women believe is that Pap testing is not necessary if they have never engaged in sexual intercourse. There are many women in our community who refuse to see a gynecologist for this reason. HPV can also spread through intimate contact such as oral sex, dry humping or digital penetration. Furthermore, even though condoms significantly reduce the transmission of HPV and other STIs, they do not completely eliminate the risk. Most experts advise to start Pap testing at age 21 regardless of sexual activity. This should be continued annually until age 30 and then every three years thereafter until age 65 (individual circumstances may justify more frequent testing). “My boyfriend told me that he was tested for HPV and that he does not have it.” Yes, another myth. What else has that boy told you? Men are considered “silent” carriers for many strains of the HPV virus. Even though men can develop disease related to HPV, most men will not develop any health problems and therefore be unaware that they carry the virus. The bottom line: Protect yourself! There are two vaccines available, Gardasil and Cervarix, which may protect you from contracting some of the most common strains of the HPV virus and, if given prior to the onset of sexual activity, has been shown to be highly effective. It is highly recommended for preteen boys and girls starting at age 11 or 12. Young adult men and women can receive the vaccine to the ages of 21 and 26, respectively. One of the more important myths to dispel is that a Pap and pelvic exam tests for all sexually transmitted infections. The Pap test usually tests for only HPV and the HPV-related changes to the cervix. It does not test for other infections such as HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea or Chlamydia, and testing for these problems is usually performed only if clinically indicated. If you have been sexually active without the use of condoms, then you are at risk for contracting a STI. Please inform your doctor of these concerns. Common STIs like Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be easily treated and cured with an antibiotic, but when left untreated these infections can lead to chronic pelvic pain and infertility. The take-home message? What you don’t know can hurt you. Routine screening during your yearly exam will help detect problems that you may not realize you have. Incidental breast lumps, ovarian cysts and skin lesions are just a few of the many problems discovered in my office every day. Unfortunately, these findings can sometimes represent very serious problems such as cancer. However, early detection of these problems is the key to optimizing treatment and hopefully curing the disease. Patients who neglect their symptoms and skip routine annual visits are at higher risk for the development of advanced disease, making the possibility for cure less likely. Routine mammography for early detection of breast cancer, Pap testing for early detection of precancerous cervical lesions, and annual pelvic exams for early detection of ovarian or uterine masses will help reduce your risks and improve your ability to fight off disease. It is time for the women in our community to move past the fears and myths that deter them from routine health screening. Would we neglect our teeth, our eyes or even our hair in this way? I believe that once you embrace the idea that a Pap test is not harmful, you will feel a sense of relief from the fact that you are protecting your health and working in partnership with your doctor to fight off disease. There is a distinct difference between living in fear and living in awareness. When we become aware, we can take the necessary steps to protect ourselves so that we can remain strong, healthy and alive. Paul Hakim, M.D., is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed his residency training at Providence Hospital. He is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has advanced training in robotic and minimally invasive surgery. His hospital affiliations include St. John Providence and Providence Park Health Systems and he is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. His office is next to Providence Park Hospital in Novi. 30 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2014
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