MessageHi Kirsten,
Are you talking about the HPV (genital warts) vaccine? They say HPV is
responsible for approx 70% of cervical cancer cases although I have seen that
figure stretched beyond the 70% for the sake of advertising of the HPV vaccine.
I'm not sure where the figure comes from. I would say money figures heavily
on the agenda :)
The vaccine is now available in Australia and the US. I'm not sure where else
at present.
Regards
Jayne
----- Original Message -----
From: Kirsten Lerstrøm
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 10:19 AM
Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Article about preterm birth and treatment for
cervical changes
Dear all
Twice in one night out of two years I feel compelled to answer posts on the
list!
This study has been used as a propellar for inaugerating new studies
performed on the pregnant here in Denmark!
Actually they claim to have a vaccine given to young girls up to 15 years
old, that would "solve this problem".
I have great dificulties getting totally convinced a vaccine could solve
this particular cancer problem.
And this at a moment where the National Health Institute finally has
acknowledged major problems with screening of breast cancer and the like (a.o.
Down's Syndrome), because of poor results as to positive/negative readings
followed by distress due to trauma caused by the readings.
What is really the agenda?
Kirsten in Denmark
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Helen and
Graham
Sent: 10. januar 2007 23:04
To: ozmidwifery
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Article about preterm birth and treatment for
cervical changes
Precancerous changes and preterm births
Issue 01: 8 Jan 2007
Source: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
2007;114:70-80
A study has provided new insights into the association between precancerous
changes in the cervix and the risk of subsequent preterm birth. The findings
suggest that diagnosis of precancerous changes, regardless of the treatment
given, is associated with a significantly increased risk of delivery before 37
weeks' gestation.
Researchers at centers in Carlton, Australia, conducted a retrospective
cohort study, investigating the records of 5,548 women who:
1.. Were referred to a cervical dysplasia clinic at the Royal Women's
Hospital in Carlton between 1982 and 2000 for assessment of an abnormality
detected on a routine Pap smear or for evaluation of a cervix that appeared
abnormal; and
2.. Subsequently had a birth recorded in the Victoria state perinatal
data collection system. The birth studied was the first after the referral, for
women who were untreated, and the first after treatment, for women who received
treatment.
The follow-up period for the women ranged from 2 years to 20 years after
referral.
The researchers report their findings in a new paper published in the BJOG:
An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Overall, there were 533
observed preterm births in the cohort of 5,548 women, significantly higher than
the 312 cases expected based on national figures.
The main findings included the following:
a.. The risk of preterm birth (defined as within 37 weeks of gestation)
was significantly higher for both treated and untreated women compared with the
general population.
b.. The risk of preterm birth was significantly higher among the treated
women than among the untreated women.
c.. Other factors significantly associated with an increased risk of
preterm birth were a history of induced or spontaneous abortion, illicit drug
use during pregnancy, and a major maternal medical condition. In terms of
treatment, cone biopsy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), and
diathermy were associated with preterm birth; after adjustment for potentially
confounding factors, only the association between diathermy and preterm birth
remained statistically significant.
d.. Women treated with laser ablation did not have a significantly
increased risk of preterm birth.
Discussing their findings, the researchers say the study is the largest to
date examining pregnancy outcomes following diagnosis and treatment for
precancerous changes in the cervix. They conclude: "Women presenting with
precancerous changes in the cervix are at an increased risk for preterm birth,
a risk that appears to be increased by treatments that remove or destroy
substantial amounts of cervical tissue."
They suggest that, in light of these findings, there needs to be a
re-evaluation of treatment programmes involving a "see and treat" policy for
the management of abnormal Pap smear results. In addition, "the use of ablative
techniques such as laser ablation need revisiting," the researchers state.
