January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month

January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month. Nearly 4,000 women in America will die this year from cervical cancer. These cancers are largely preventable, and raising public awareness can save lives.

Cervical cancer is the only cancer known to be primarily caused by a common virus, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). In the United States, 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2010 from HPV caused tumors. HPVs are sexually transmitted via skin-to-skin contact. Recent research indicates the virus also cause some cases of cancers of the mouth and head and neck in men and women.

Cervical cancer is often stigmatized as a disease acquired as a result of promiscuous behavior. While risks of acquiring a high-risk HPV increase with the number of one's sexual partners, persons in longtime monogamous relationships can be infected from a lone sexual encounter that occurred years, even decades, earlier.

Although, most women and men acquire an HPV infection during their lifetimes, fortunately, most HPV infections are benign and disappear spontaneously. Some however, persist. Of more than 100 known HPVs, only about 15 are high-risk viruses. Cervical cancers caused by high-risk HPVs usually develop slowly and may grow, often asymptomatically, for years prior to medical detection.

Pap test screening is the first line of defense against cervical cancer. Pap tests are recommended for women every other year after the age of 21. Regular gynecological Pap tests detect most cell changes due to HPV long before they become cancer. Early detection of these precancers can be effectively treated before they become malignant. Unfortunately, four out of five women do not receive their regular Pap test. In 2010 more than half of the women diagnosed with cervical cancer either never had a Pap or were not screened in the last five years.

In recognition of Cervical Health Awareness Month this January, Liberty Drug will be hosting a free educational seminar on HPV and Cervical Cancer featuring Dr. Russell Hoffman, MD, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Overlook Hospital, Summit, NJ on Wednesday, January 19th from 6PM to 7PM.

For more information about Cervical Health Awareness Month, visit the National Cervical Cancer Coalition.

April is National Autism Awareness Month

In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the United States recognizes April as National Autism Awareness Month. This gives us a perfect opportunity to promote education to the public about autism and the issues within the autism community. For more information, visit the Autism Society of America.

What is Autism?
Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that its symptoms range from mild to severe and vary by individual, often referred to as an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is characterized by impairments in social relatedness and communication, repetitive behaviors, abnormal movements and sensory dysfunction. An autistic child might appear to be largely oblivious to his surroundings, violently overwhelmed by physical sensations, or seem outwardly to be simply socially awkward. As of 2007, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates one in 150 children are diagnosed with autism.

Behavioral Treatment
The general goal with behavioral treatment for individuals with ASD is to teach appropriate behavior while decreasing inappropriate behaviors. This type of assessment and teaching is formally known as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). The field of ABA includes structured and naturalistic methodologies for assessment and interventions, including but not limited to discrete trial training, incidental teaching, pivotal response training, natural environmental training, verbal behavior, fluency-based instruction, task analysis, descriptive assessment, functional analysis and positive behavioral support.

Biomedical Treatment
Although ASD is diagnosed on the basis of behavioral parameters, there are many underlying biomedical factors which can contribute to these symptoms. The biomedical approach is a science-based, molecular-biological approach to treatment. The aim is to address the underlying health problems. Affected children often have an exaggerated response to toxins, foods and airborne allergens. It is well documented that they are often deficient in various nutrients, enzymes, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, and they require methylation support. The guiding principle is to remove what is causing harm and add what is missing. This integrative approach addresses the physical AND behavioral symptoms of autism. The Autism Research Institute asked parents to rate the effectiveness of numerous biomedical treatments. As of 2008, over 26,000 parents of autistic children had evaluated more than 80 interventions. Detoxification was considered helpful by 74% of parents. Other highly rated therapies, considered to be helpful included: gluten/casein-free diet, 66%; food allergy treatment, 64%; methylcobalamin, 56% and essential fatty acid therapy, 56%.

Regardless of the type of treatment, age at intervention has a direct impact on outcome – typically, the earlier a child is treated, the better the prognosis will be. Thanks to advances in all treatments, today it is recommended to use a combination of approaches (e.g. biomedical and ABA). ABA alone cannot heal the child’s medical conditions and a medical approach cannot make up for deficits with the child’s peers. Many parents today feel that an all around approach covers all bases.