Scientists have suggested that prostate cancer may be linked to sexually transmitted diseases, meaning that more a more widespread program of STD tests might be
advisable amongst the older generation.
The researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital showed that the infection trichomonas vaginalis, a bacterial infection, was
strongly associated with incidences of aggressive or advanced prostate cancer.
They analysed blood samples from 673 men with prostate cancer and discovered that it was associated with a nearly three-fold risk of developing fatal prostate cancer
and a two-fold increase in the likelihood of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.
The team studied blood samples from the participants in the study and compared them with an equal number of healthy men. They looked at blood samples collected 15
years before and discovered that the men with antibodies to the infection were 23% more likely to develop prostate cancer and 2.17 times more likely to develop the
aggressive form of the disease, which spreads throughout the body and is often fatal.
Trichomonas vaginalis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection in the world and it is believed that up to 174million people are infected with it
each year.
However it is not generally part of routine STD tests done on the NHS as it was not previously associated with any dangerous side effects. Most people do not have
symptoms, though it can cause discharge and painful urination in some cases.
Often the only way to get tested for the infection is privately. There are companies that offer home STD testing, and often the test for trichomonas vaginalis is part
of the Full Screen Home STD Testing package. Trichomonas is easy to test for – all that is required is a urine sample, which makes it ideal for home STD testing. It is
also very easy to treat, usually clearing up after a short course of antibiotics.
The new research suggests that a wider screening program and more frequent STD tests for the infection might be advisable and could help cut the number of prostate
cancer related deaths. Currently the main tactic used to combat prostate cancer is screening, but this usually only detects very slow-progressing tumours, rather than
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the more aggressive variety.
The full research has been published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Home STD tests could provide the solution to slowing down the rapid growth of sexually transmitted diseases. If we take Chlamydia for example there has been a sharp
rise of the number of cases in both the UK and America during recent years. In the UK reported cases are up over 40% during the last few years and in America reported
cases are up around the same percentage. Cases of Chlamydia have increased every year since records began way back in 1984. What is worrying is that expert’s state
many of those at risk are not being tested so the actual figures are very much higher.
Chlamydia is a tricky disease as in many cases the infected person will not have any symptoms at all. The statistics often show an unequal gender distribution, with
more females infected than males. This is mainly because women are more likely to be screened during pregnancy and at other times of their lives ,whereas most men are
never screened for STDs.
Even though we have great awareness of STDs, many do not bother to consult their doctor due to the stigma that some think is attached to having a sexually transmitted
disease with men being the worst culprits.
To combat the “stigma effect”, STD testing kits are now available online. A good STD testing kit will require the user to send a urine sample by post to a lab. A few
days later test results will be either send to the user or are available to be viewed privately online. This is much more appealing to those taking the tests as they
do not have to meet a doctor face to face unless of course the test is positive.
Anybody who has unprotected intercourse should seriously consider either consulting their doctor or taking advantage of a home STD test. The simple fact is that if a
STD is left untreated it will seriously damage your health.
Syphillis, or “Cupid’s Disease”, is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) among sexually active people. Syphillis is transmitted through physical contact with
the sores that can show up in the vaginal, genital, or rectal areas of the body. There are three main stages of syphillis – primary, secondary, and latent with the
characteristics and symptoms varying somewhat with each stage.
appear within two to three weeks following initial infection, and often showing up inside the cervix or rectum. The sores can disappear in about 4 to 6 weeks even if
you have done nothing towards getting rid of your syphillis. Unfortunately the disease is still there and moving into the secondary stage.
In the secondary stage of syphillis, lesions, and a skin rash in the affected area can appear. Oddly enough, the rash ususally is not itchy, and tends to appear as the
syphillis sores are healing or after they have healed. The rashes can also appear on different areas of the body, and oftentimes can be mistaken for other maladies of
the skin. If you start to develop red or reddish brown spots on the bottoms of your feet or the palms of your hands, you may want to have those areas checked out by a
licensed, and reputable physician. The characteristic signs of syphillis during the secondary stages can disappear without treatment. However, at this point, the
infection is moving into its final, latent stage.
The latent stages of syphillis can last for ten to twenty years without any symptoms occuring. on the outside of the body. However, life threatening health issues can
still occur on the inside of the body. During the latent stages, syphillis can damage internal organs such as the heart, brain, and liver. Syphillis may even be the
cause for some mental disorders such as dementia, and paralysis. Muscle coordination difficulties may occur in the final stages of syphillis along with loss of feeling
in the body, sight loss, and even death.
Although syphillis was once believed to be something you just had to live with, there are currently prominent cures for the disease when syphillis is detected in its
early stages. A blood test to check for the presence of syphillis can be administered by the proper medical authorities, helping to eliminate all doubt as to whether
or not a person has syphillis. If you, or someone you know is active sexually, getting checked for syphillis on a regular basis may save a life.
Prenatal care is necessary in ensuring the overall health and wellness of both mom and child. The first prenatal care visit can be stressful for females because
physicians generally gather a lot of data, in order to make sure that the pregnancy can be as problem free as possible .
Your medical provider could normally get a thorough medical background from you. This can include details concerning your menstrual cycle, contraceptive use,
allergies, previous pregnancies, and otherdiseases. In order for your physician to appropriately manage your pregnancy, it is important that you divulge even sensitive
facts similar to abortion and use of drugs. If you had been unable to share these with any of your family members, you can request that you talk to yourmedical doctor
in private. The important thing is to rule out any dangers or probable complications through your pregnancy.
Health care providers perform many tests to ascertain that you are not having a high risk pregnancy. Here’s a list of the common tests ordered by your physician
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throughout the first check up:
Physical Exam – Your physician should check your blood pressure, height and weight. Besides assessing your total wellness, your physician could also specifically
assess your heart, lungs and breasts.
Pelvic Exam – A Pap smear is carried out to check for cervical cancer and other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. A bimanual internal
examination is also performed to figure out the measurement of the uterus and pelvis. This may cause a slight discomfort but it is essential in examining for
abnormalities in the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Complete Blood Count – This test is carried out to determine infection, presence of anemia and to determine clotting ability.
Serologic Test for Syphillis – Syphillis need to be treated early in pregnancy to prevent fetal damage. The deformities may range from bone and tooth deformities to
nerve and brain damage.
Blood Typing – It is vital due to the fact that expecting females with bleeding tendencies need to have blood ready in case of emergencies.
Maternal Serum for Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) – This test is vital in identifying neural tube and abdominal defects in the fetus. It is generally performed at 16 to 18
weeks of gestation.
Rubella – This test is done to screen for immunity against German measles. A lot of Americans are immune against rubella because vaccinations are given during
childhood. If you didn’t get the vaccine, stay away from people with that disease. Although it may be rare, it canbring about really serious problems for your little
one.
Antibody Titers for Hepatitis B (HBsAg) – This test is used to screen for Hepatitis B, that may be transmitted to the baby through childbirth.
Varicella – This test is applied to check for immunity from chickenpox. This test is usually requested for females who have no background of the illness. An exposure
in the course of pregnancy may have dangerous effects to the child.
Urinalysis – Doctors need to test your urine to check for kidney disorder and bladder infections. That test can additionally detect high amounts of glucose which may
point out to diabetes. Bladder infections are typical amongst pregnant women, and if kept untreated, it may trigger complications for the baby.
Indirect Coombs’ Test – It can determine if Rh antibodies are present. An Rh factor is a protein on the surface of the blood cells that set off an immune system
response. If a woman is Rh negative and her partner is Rh positive, the child’s blood type may not match, and it may trigger Rh incompatibility. The incompatibility
can set off the mother’s body to develop antibodies which may be dangerous to the child. Therefore, an injection of Rh immune globulin (Rhogam) in the 28th week of
pregnancy is essential. This injection is also given in the event of bleeding during pregnancy and right after delivery of the child.
HIV Test – That test in pregnancy is optional, but it is recommended simply because it lets a HIV positive female to begin therapy with Zidovudine (AZT). AZT may
lessen the risk of the infant developing the disease. Females who possess a background of using intravenous drugs, and who have many sex partners are encouraged to go
through testing. That may be a very important but it is never mandatory, so women have the right to refuse testing.
Genetic Assessments – Your medical doctor may also order genetic tests to determine illnesses that can be passed to the infant as a consequence of defective genes.
Medical practitioners would usually prescribe this depending on your medical history and ethnic background. People of Mediterranean descent, Blacks, French Canadians
and Jews have a greater risk of having Tay-Sach’s disease, sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
