Okay, Ladies, It Is Time To Get Serious

I don't usually write about serious stuff on this blog, but I really want to share the following information with you, because I truly believe it is important.  If you are one of the men who read my blog, you may want to skip this post.  Or read it and pass the information on to your wife/girlfriend/mother/daughter, or any of the other women in your life.

I want to talk about cancer.  Specifically, cervical cancer.  Most of you are aware of the "new" HPV vaccine, and how it is recommended that young girls who have not yet had sexual intercourse should receive it.  I have a 13 year old daughter, and to be honest, I have not yet decided if I want her to get it.  I want to do more research, and find out about all the side effects.  Thankfully, I still have a few years to do just that.

I also have to think about myself, and I have just learned that there is a test that can detect the presence of 13 high-risk types of HPV.  Gynecologists can do this test when they do your annual pap smear.  The problem is, a lot of doctors don't.  It is so important that as women, we ask for this test, and protect ourselves, as well as our daughters.  We all, at one time or another, have had some type of HPV infection.  As young women, our body should naturally fight off the disease, but as we get older, the chances increase that the HPV infections persist, and can turn into cervical cancer. That is why it is so important that us women over 30 ask for this HPV test, even if you have been vaccinated in the past.  We all know that cancer is best treated in it's early stages, and knowing you are at risk can help make early detection possible.

This is only an overview of the HPV test.  Please visit www.theHPVTest.com for more information about this test, and to find out what you can do to keep yourself healthy.  I mean, how can we teach our children to take care of themselves if we don't do the same?

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the QIAGEN digene HPV test. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”