What's a Pap Smear?

The pap smear.  You’ve probably heard of it but don’t know what it really consists of.  Many women in the BYUI/ LDS culture we live in are unaware of what a pap smear is and why it is important because abstinence is practiced before marriage. 

A pap smear is done to check for signs of cervical cancer.  The cancer is generally caused by infection of the human papilloma virus (HPV).  According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2010 (the most recent year information is available) there were 11,818 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 3,939 women died from cervical cancer.  As a nation, the rate of cervical cancer was 7.5 cases per 100,000.  This rate has steadily declined since 1999 when the rate was 9.8 per 100,000.  The CDC attributes this decline to an increase of women getting pap smears.

It is rare for a woman who has never been sexually active to have HPV.  However, providers recommend getting a pap smear starting at age 21, regardless of sexual activity and having the test repeated every three years.  This is due to the fact that cervical cancer can be influenced by other factors besides sexual activity. 

The Student Health Center will schedule pap smears.  It is recommended that you are not on your period.  The best time to have one done is 10-20 days after the first day of your last period.     

For more information, visit the websites listed below.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Us cancer statistics: Interactive map. Retrieved from http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/DCPC_INCA/DCPC_INCA.aspx

Office on Women's Health. (2012, July 16). Pap test fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/pap-test.html

Pruthi, S. (2011, June 24). Pap smear. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pap-smear/AN01635

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Breast Cancer is so common among women that 1 in 8 will be diagnosed in their lifetime and it is the second leading cause of death in women.  The good news is that the death rate from breast cancer has declined 34% since 1990 due to better screening, earlier detection and improved treatments. 

What puts a person at risk for developing breast cancer?

While there are risk factors associated with breast cancer (being a woman, over 55 years old, have a family history of breast cancer, never having given birth, to name a few), 60- 70% of people with breast cancer have no connection to the risk factors.  According to www.nationalbreastcancer.org common myths of things that cause breast cancer include wearing underwire bras, implants, deodorants, antiperspirants, mammograms, caffeine, plastic food serving items, microwaves, and cell phones.

Men are not immune to breast cancer and approximately 2,200 men will be diagnosed each year.  Breast cancer in men has a higher fatality rate because it often goes undetected longer.  Men should also be aware of the signs of breast cancer.

How do you know if you have breast cancer?

Most of the time, there are no symptoms of having breast cancer, however there are signs you can look for.  Signs include a lump or swelling in the breast, a change in breast size or shape, swelling in the armpit or discharge from the nipple.

In the past, providers have recommended doing monthly self-breast exams to search for any lumps or abnormalities.  It is now more common for providers to advise being familiar with your own breasts so that when changes happen, you notice them more quickly.  This may be done by a monthly breast exam, but not necessarily.

It is also important to note that just because there is a lump does not mean it is cancerous. 

Performing a Self-Breast Exam

There are many great resources online to show you how to perform a self-breast exam.  We suggest following one of the links below for a step-by-step guide (pictures included).

National Breast Cancer Foundation: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam     

American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastcancerearlydetection/breast-cancer-early-detection-acs-recs-bse

National Institutes of Health: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001993.htm

Famous People with Breast Cancer

Angelina Jolie post surgery

Many women in the media have had breast cancer including singer Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America host Robin Roberts, TODAY show host Hoda Kotb, Grease star Olivia Newton-John, and former first lady Nancy Regan.  Actress Angelina Jolie and former America’s Got Talent co-host Sharon Osborne both elected to have a double mastectomy because they carry the gene that has been linked to breast cancer.  Neither were diagnosed, but had the surgery as a precaution.

For more information on breast cancer, including ways to be involved in promoting awareness, visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org,  http://www.cancer.org/

Sources:

Abramovitch, S. (2013, May 14). They stand with angelina: 12 courageous celebrities who battled breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/they-stand-angelina-12-courageous-522209

Anderson, T. (2013). 10 celebrities who battled breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20307103,00.html

Movva, S. (2013, August 21). A visual guide to breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/ss/slideshow-breast-cancer-overview

National Breast Cancer Foundation. (2012). Breast self exam. Retrieved from http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam 

Simon, S. (2013, October 1). Report: Breast cancer death rates down 34% since 1990. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/news/report-breast-cancer-death-rates-down-34-since-1990

Pictures:

http://www.psmag.com/health/women-of-1970s-professional-career-increased-risk-of-breast-cancer-58095/

http://kintalk.org/discussion/breast-cancer-in-lynch-syndrome-still-a-quandary

http://www.wespeaknews.com/world/angelina-jolie-makes-first-public-appearance-post-surgery-212400.html

Dealing With Infertility

According to the Mayo Clinic, 10-15% of couples experience infertility.  Thankfully, after treatment, about 2/3 of those couples are able to get pregnant.  Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year for most people and six months in certain circumstances. 

There are many causes of infertility.  In approximately 1/3 of cases it is traced back to the woman, 1/3 of cases it is traced back to the man and 1/3 of the cases are due to both partners or the cause is unknown. 

The most common cause of infertility in women is a failure to ovulate.  A few causes of this are Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, where there is a hormone imbalance, and Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, where excessive physical or emotional stress result in the loss of a period.  Besides these, it can also come from obesity and/ or weight gain, an ovarian tumor or cyst, weight loss including eating disorders and use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (including caffeine). 

In men, infertility is usually caused by a low sperm count or abnormal sperm development.  A specialist would look at the number of sperm, their motility and shape to determine if this is the cause.  These abnormalities can be caused by overheating of the testicles, unhealthy habits such as drugs and alcohol or medical conditions such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, trauma or treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. 

There are numerous treatments available for people struggling with infertility.  Women can have ovulation stimulated with fertility drugs, have surgery, or do intrauterine insemination where healthy sperm are placed directly into the uterus.  Infertility in men can be addressed through medication or behavioral changes and surgery or hormones.  Couples may also choose to have a procedure such as in vitro fertilization which combines the sperm and egg in a lab and then implants the embryos into the uterus.  This method is only effective in 40% of the cases of women younger than 35 years of age and declines as the woman becomes older.

Coping with infertility can be difficult, especially when the cause is unknown.  The Mayo Clinic recommends a few steps you can take to prepare yourself for the journey ahead.  First be prepared by asking your doctor a lot of questions.  Next, set limits on what is appropriate and financially acceptable to you and your spouse.  Infertility is deeply emotional so knowing what you will and will not do before asked the question will save you much time and uncertainty.  

You will also want to consider other options if you are not able to become pregnant, such as adoption.  Finally, look for support from friends, family and support groups or counseling services.  Because infertility is so personal, many are unaware of how many struggle with it.  Linking yourself with others in your situation will be a great blessing. 

The church has many talks and personal stories linked to their website regarding infertility.  The following link will take you to stories of couples dealing with infertility as well as numerous talks by General Authorities and others on how to make it through this time in your life.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/04/faith-and-infertility-expanded?lang=eng

Another website geared specifically towards LDS couples dealing with infertility is: www.ldsinfertility.org 

There are many resources out there to help if you struggle with infertility.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to these sources or to talk to your doctor if you think something may be wrong.

Sources:

Infertility. (2013, September 18). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infertility.html

Infertility fact sheet. (2012, July 16). Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/infertility.html

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2013, July 19). Infertility. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infertility/DS00310

Nazario, B. (2011, July 28). Understanding ovulation and fertility: Facts to help you get pregnant. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/baby/ss/slideshow-understanding-fertility-ovulation 
Pictures:
http://www.atlantainfertility.com/
http://9images.blogspot.com/2013/03/sad-hug-couple-back-cute.html

Couponing

Let’s face it, couponing is becoming the “cool” thing to do these days.  Many women are doing it and you’ve probably envied them for their money saving ways.  While it takes quite a lot of time to break into the “extreme couponing” sphere, there are a lot of ways you can start saving money, without spending enormous amounts of time hiding your face in the newspaper.  You don’t have to let couponing take over your life to see it make an impact on your family’s finances.

Here are a few tips for the first-time or new couponers.

1. Get Coupons!

Before you can start couponing you first need to find your coupons.  You can get these from the newspaper, in the store, online, or from family and friends.  Multiple newspapers equal multiple coupons.  Most online coupons allow you to print them twice for more savings.

2. Focus on One Store

When beginning, don’t try to shop at Walmart, Walgreens, Albertsons and Broulims every week.  Learn the coupon policies for one store and master that store first.  Find out if they have a loyalty program and if they double/ triple coupons.

3. Plan, Plan, Plan

There are lots of ways to plan your grocery trips.  Check the weekly ads for what is on sale and plan your menu that week based on what you can get cheap.  Make a list of what you are going to buy.  Use price match!  Stores like Walmart will match any price from another store.  Just bring in the ad from the competition and they will lower their price at the register.  

4. Make a price book

Keep track of the prices of your favorite items at different stores.  This will help you know when a deal is really a deal.  After a few months, you will be able to see how the sales cycle in a specific store.

Online, you can find plenty of more detailed tips for new couponers.  There are whole websites dedicated to helping people become successful couponers.  The main thing is to not be overwhelmed with the task at hand.  Remember that couponing takes time and there will be a learning curve but sticking to it will be a blessing to you and your family as you are able to take control of your food budget and do more with less!

Sources:

Krazy Coupon Lady. (2012). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://thekrazycouponlady.com/beginners/

A beginners guide to couponing. (2009, January 6). Retrieved from http://www.couponing101.com/a-beginners-guide-to-couponing/ 

Pictures:

http://www.babble.com/home/extreme-couponing-series-premiere-top-3-couponing-tips/

http://beautifulbrowngirls.com/2012/03/01/not-so-extreme-couponing/

Tricked at the Grocery Store

The following is an example of an average trip to the grocery store.  Read through and identify ways the grocery store tries to get you to purchase more than you planned on.  Keep reading afterwards to see if you found them all.

You look in the refrigerator and there’s nothing there.  Look in your cupboards….nothing.  It’s time for a trip to the grocery store.  You just need the basics.  Bread, eggs, milk and cereal.

After perusing the parking lot for five minutes trying to find the closest spot possible, you finally settle for one ten spaces from the front.  You walk to the store front and grab a cart.  It’s one of those carts that could hold all six of your elementary age nieces and nephews.  Through the front doors you go and BAM! You’re hit with the smell of garden-fresh flowers and this morning’s freshly baked bread and bagels.  You think of all the sandwiches you could make with a loaf of bread and head that direction. 

Before getting to the bread on the side of the store you are distracted by the brightly colored fruits and vegetables.  Tomato, avocado, lettuce and onion are all good on sandwiches.  Into the cart they go.  It’s cheaper to buy a head of lettuce instead of a bag so you pick one up.  While setting it in your cart you realize how much lettuce that really is.  You’re going to need it for way more than just sandwiches.  Above the lettuce is a large assortment of salad dressing.  Perfect.  You grab some Ranch since it’s so versatile.  Then you reach a little to your right and grab a bag of garlic croutons to garnish your salad. 

Back to the bread.  As you near the bakery, your senses go crazy with that homemade smell.  You start to realize how hungry you really are.  There’s a “Store Special” for three loaves of bread for $6.00.  You get three.  Next on your list, milk.

Thankfully, the milk is on the other side of the store which gives you more time to walk around, procrastinating homework.  First you pass the deli meat you need for the sandwiches you’ll make.  Next to the deli meat is cheese.  For the sandwiches you grab some pre-sliced swiss, and then you decide to also get a block of cheddar so you can make grilled cheese sandwiches. 

You’re almost to the milk, but before you get there you see the yogurt.  There’s a special going on!  Ten cups of your favorite Greek yogurt for only $10.00.  Obviously you grab ten.  Finally you get your milk.  The eggs are right after the milk so you add a dozen to your cart...which still seems rather empty.

Before heading to the register there’s one more thing you need: cereal.  You’re just about to reach the aisle when you see a beautiful display of cake mixes on the end of an aisle.  It’s a good thing you walked past this because it’s your roommate’s birthday tomorrow and no one has volunteered to make a cake.  You grab a cake mix, can of frosting and a box of candles.

Cereal…there are so many choices!  Since you just remembered you are supposed to be on campus in five minutes you grab the name brand Frosted Flakes right in front of your face and rush over to the checkout.  The self-checkout lanes are all closed, so you hop in a regular one and anxiously await your turn.  While waiting, you grab a pack of razors (you were almost out) and a snickers bar (because you bought stuff for salads and deserve a little dessert).  The cashier rings you up and when the final price pops up you can’t believe how much you’re spending when all you needed was bread, eggs, milk and cereal. 

Answers:

Large Carts- Grocery carts are getting larger and larger.  Think WINCO.  To avoid making too many purchases, grab a basket or small cart.

Fresh Smells- Many stores put sections that give off a great smell at the front such as the bakery and floral section.  This 1) puts you in a good mood and 2) gets your salivary glands going, causing you to think you’re hungrier than you really are.  To avoid this trap, make sure not to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach.

Staples at the Back- Basic foods such as bread, milk and eggs are always at the back of the store.  In order to get them, a customer must walk past thousands of other food items they convince themselves they need.  To resist the impulse buy, go shopping with a list and stick to it.

Grouping Foods- Store will group items of food together for easy access.  Salad dressing by the salad.  Everything for a cake in one spot.  Chips and salsa.  Hamburger buns by the hamburger meat.  Chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers.  The list goes on and on.

“Deals”- Look out for what actually is a deal and what is not.  Many stores will have signs that look very similar to the SALE signs but are actually just telling you the regular price of the item.  Also beware of buying too much of something (ie bread or yogurt) just because it’s on sale.  One person will probably not go through three loaves of bread before the last one gets moldy.  Spare your money and just buy what you’ll eat.

Shelf Placement- This is most easily seen in the cereal isle.  The bulk and off-brand cereals are placed on the bottom shelf, the healthy cereals on the top shelf and the expensive, sugary, name-brand cereals are placed at eye level.  Companies actually pay for shelf space, and it costs more to have your product sitting on the middle shelves.  Stores also place items they want sold on the ends of the isle so they are more visible.

The Checkout Line- This area includes handy items such as razors and batteries as well as magazines, candy, beef jerky and gift cards.  You’ll find them all in the checkout line and more than likely, you’ll grab at least one.  Try using the self-checkout so you won’t even be tempted.

Next time you’re at the grocery store, keep in mind all the methods being used to entice you to spend money.  Try to identify ways not mentioned in this post and leave a comment when you find one.  Happy shopping!

Sources:

Lubin, G. (2011, July 26). 15 ways supermarkets trick you into spending more money. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/supermarkets-make-you-spend-money-2011-7?op=1

MSN Money Partner. (2013, March 15). 9 sneaky supermarket tricks. Retrieved from http://finances.msn.com/saving-money-ideas/11db6d6b-6270-4b27-9a78-872f2984046f

Prevention Magazine. (2013). 8 ways to avoid sneaky supermarket tricks . Retrieved from http://www.fitbie.com/eat-right/tips/8-ways-avoid-sneaky-supermarket-tricks/tip/3 

Pictures: 

http://depositphotos.com/3252296/stock-photo-Jug-with-milk-bread-and-eggs.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajbrustein/5972457650/

http://www.yourownhomestore.com/grocery-sales-cycles/

http://247moms.com/2010/01/saving-money-at-grocery-store-without/