American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists announced that women should start getting cervical cancer screenings at age 21 instead of 18, and that women could wait longer between the screenings — regardless of when a woman starts having sex. ACOG is now just endorsing the three-year interval for HPV negative and Pap negative [women]. Women in their 20s with normal Pap smear results now should get screenings every two years instead of every year, and women in their 30s can wait three years between screenings if previous results were within normal limits.

There is some concern that women will neglect annual checkups with gynecologists. An annual pelvic exam is still encouraged particularly for women on oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.  A risk exists for those women that have never been screened with a pap smear.  Newer methods of pap smear collection also include human papilloma virus screening.

ACOG guidelines point out that only 0.1 percent of cervical cancer occurs in women under 21 years of age in part, doctors believe, because young women’s immune systems are strong enough to fight off HPV before it causes cancer. When dysplasias progress to cancers it’s usually a result of older women missing screenings for years at a time; 50 percent of women diagnosed with cervical cancer each year never had a pap smear before, according to the ACOG statement.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1001951,00.html

Interesting news posing a conflict in current recommendations for mammogram screening.  Who is correct- National Health Institute or American Cancer Society and what will the medical community advise.  Currently 40 year old women should have a screening mammogram and continue them annually.  Women with a positive family history often screen earlier at age 35.  Recommendation is to change first screening to begin at age 50.  Just a few years ago the parameters were to begin at 40 and screen every other year until age 50 and then annually thereafter.  Tune in-

Electronic records help avoid medical mistakes. With EMRs, providers can instantly access patient records, including allergy lists, lab results and prescription histories. The EMR makes it possible to generate a single letter that may explain lab results or mailings to a specifice group of patients. Timely access to patient records can prove valuable in emergency care.

The US has been generally slow in implementing EMRs however it does seem fairly prevalent in the Twin Cities. Only 1.5% among 3,000 hospitals surveyed have comprehensive electronic systems! Only about 28% of US physicians use EMRs. This sluggish growth is no doubt due to the fragmented nature of private health care delivery as well as cost of implementation. Starting in 2011, financial incentives will be offered to Medicare providers using electronic records.

There is a lot of info in this article titled “Incoming transmission Switch to EMRs in sight” in SepOct 2009 CMA Today Magazine. The article was written by Mark Harris.

The Washington Post (10/17) published an article reporting that a new more serious pattern if H1N1 cases are emerging.  The new picture shoes that the virus “could pose a greater threat to some young, otherwise vibrant people.”  the H1N1 flu “can cause life-threatening viral pneumonia mush more commonly than the typical flu…”. Also, “the pattern of people getting seriously ill is far different that in typical flu seasons…” with children, teenagers, pregnant women, and young adults being “the most common victims”.

Metformin, normally used in treatment of diabetes, can also help boost immune system memory (T cells and B cells, which recognize returning pathogens, allowing them to launch a quick defense).

Read more in the SepOct 2009 CMA Today Magazine.

This week is pre-registration advising week for spring semester registration.  All students should be in touch with their advisor to get advice about courses and the access code you will need for registration.  Registration begins on October 12th for students who have completed 30 or more credits.  Students with less than 30 credits completed, can register beginning October 14th.

If you recently had a tattoo and it was applied by a state-regulated licensed facility, you may be able to donate. You may donate after a body piercing as long as you are certain a sterile needle was used. Otherwise wait a year before giving.

If you have been turned down in the past you should know that most deferrals are temporary.

You may be able to donate if taking an antibiotic you may be able to donate as long as you have taken your last dose of the prescribtion and have no symptoms.

You need to be at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Prior to donating you should get a good night’s sleep, drink plenty of fluids (water) and eat within 2-3 hours.

We had information in the commons last week on the benefits of quiting smoking and helpful resources for the process.  Several reliable references cite the following benefits to quitting:

• After 20 minutes – Your blood pressure and heart rate drop to normal.
• After 8 hours – The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal and oxygen rises to normal.
• After 24 hours – Your chance of heart attack is lower.
• After 48 hours – Your sense of smell and taste improve.
• After 2 weeks to 3 months – Your blood flow improves, your lungs work up to 30% better, you catch colds and flu less often.
• After 1 to 9 months – You have less coughing and shortness of breath, and you have more energy.

• After 1 year:

1. You cut your risk of heart disease in half
2. You lower your risk of cancer and lung disease
3. You have fewer sick days and health problems
4. You reduce the cost of your auto, home, and life insurance.

• After 10 years:

1. Normal cells replace pre-cancerous cells
2. You greatly lower your risk of mouth, larynx, lung, and bladder cancer
3. Your risk of arterial disease is the same as if you had never smoked
4. You - and anyone who was exposed to your secondhand smoke – will have a longer life expectancy

Consider giving yourself and your loved ones the gift of being a non-smoker.  Talk with your doctor about how to successfully break the smoking habit.  You can also call QUITPLAN at 1-888-354-PLAN for free professional phone counseling.

Read an article in Better Health and Living that gives good sources for comprehensible information.  Here they are: www.health.harvard.edu ; www.webmd.com/news ; www.medscape.com ; www.healthfinder.gov ; www.sciencedaily.com ; www.medicalnewstoday.com ; www.nih.gov/news ; www.mayoclinic.com ; www.fda.com ; http://medlineplus.gov ; and www.intelihealth.com .

The SepOct2009 edition of CMA Today announced the launch if the AAMA e-Learning Center. Advantages include easy access to courses, electronic testing, immediate results, e-mail confirmation of scores, online payment, and transcripts within 72 hours. Recertification requirements currently mandate 60 hours of continuing education. What a great resource! www.aama-ntl.org/learning