When I was in my 20's, I really did not pay much attention to my health. The only time I visited a doctor was when something was wrong. When I was about 30 and started focusing on trying to start a family, I realized that I needed to pay more attention to my health because it does not only affect me. My state of health affects my family as well. Now that I am about to turn 37, I have come to a new realization. I need to set a good example for my daughter, who will someday be making decisions about her own body.
The HPV Vaccine is something I will be discussing with my daughter and her doctor when she turns 9. The vaccine is actually for females between the age of 9 and 26. I know age 9 is a terribly young age for a girl to take such concepts as preventing cervical cancer seriously. That may even be a stretch for some 26 year olds. The only thing I can do is try to set a good example for my daughter by being proactive with my own health. I can do this by having my annual physical, cervical exam, Pap test, HPV test, and mammogram. I admit that I have let my annual physical go in the past and have only had the HPV test done once, but realize that I need to start leading by example now for my own and my daughter's sake.
The digene HPV test is something you can request right along with your pap smear. I know you have most likely seen all the commercials on television urging you to be tested if you are over the age of 30, but you may have many more questions. If you are uncomfortable bringing up these questions with your doctor's office, here are some links that will provide some useful information regarding HPV . . .
I hope this information will help you become more proactive about preventing cervical cancer for yourself and your loved ones.
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.
