Vim & Vigor - Spring 2020 - UVA - 3

Healthy Dose

No More Yearly Pap Smears
The once-a-year Pap smear is a thing
of the past. Thanks to an abundance of
research, we know having a Pap smear
every three years is sufficient for most
women up to age 65, according to the
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
The Pap smear is still the go-to test
for cervical cancer screening, but it is
no longer the only option. Women can
also get the human papillomavirus
(HPV) test. Screening for cervical cancer
is important, as more than 13,000 new
cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year, according to the American Cancer Society.
Research confirms that HPV causes almost all cervical cancers. Some
HPV strains resolve on their own, but others can lead to cancer. Identifying
the presence of these high-risk strains can be an added precaution to
help women catch cervical cancer in its earliest stages. "With guidance
from their physicians, women can choose one or both screening methods, depending on age and medical history," says UVA Health radiation
oncologist Kara Romano, MD. "If the HPV test results are negative for
high-risk strains, women don't have to be tested again for five years,
which is a relief for many." Learn more at uvahealth.com/papsmear.

What You Can Do to Prevent Suicide
Over 47,000 Americans
took their own lives in
2017, and an estimated
1.4 million attempted
suicide, according to the
American Foundation for
Suicide Prevention. Rates
continue to rise, so it's
possible that someone
you know is suicidal.
Here's what you can do:

PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES

KNOW THE SIGNS.
If someone is talking
about wanting to die, that's a huge
red flag. He or she may express
feelings of hopelessness or say
there is no reason to live. People
who exhibit extreme mood swings
or recklessness may be at risk.
ASK QUESTIONS. "How are you
coping with what's happening
in your life?" "Have you thought
about hurting yourself?" "Do you
have access to weapons?"

OFFER UNCONDITIONAL
SUPPORT. Let the person
know that you're worried
and that you think he or
she needs help. Don't make
judgmental or patronizing
comments like "things could
be worse" or "you have a lot
to live for." Give the number
of the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline
(800-273-8255) and stay
while the person calls. If
he or she is willing to talk to a
mental health professional, offer to
drive there. You can even offer to
do some research to find a counselor or a support group.
IF THE PERSON IS UNWILLING
TO SEEK HELP, TAKE ACTION.
Suicidal thoughts are an emergency.
Call the suicide hotline yourself-or
call 911-and get other friends and
family involved right away.

10
MILLION
The poison ivy
rash affects
more than
10 million
Americans
each year

ACT ON IT
Get the latest
health tips and
news from UVA
Health. It's simple. Subscribe
to our blog at
blog.uvahealth.
com or like us
on Facebook at
facebook.com/
uvahealth.

THOUSAND
More than
47,000
Americans
took their
own lives
in 2017

Know This
About Pesky
Poison Ivy
The poison ivy rash is the most
common skin irritation in North
America, affecting more than
10 million Americans each year.
Even though poison ivy is so
common, there is a lot of confusion about avoiding and treating
it. Here's what you need to know
from expert Christopher Holstege,
MD, a UVA Health physician and
director of the UVA Blue Ridge
Poison Center.
You can get poison ivy at any
time of the year. The rash typically occurs when you touch the
leaves after they've been damaged and the plant's oil, urushiol,
is exposed. All parts of the plant
contain the skin-irritating oil,
however, so it's still possible to
be affected in the cold winter
months. Even after the plant
is dead and dried, the oil can
remain active for years.
Home remedies can relieve
symptoms. Warm baths with
baking soda or oatmeal can help
soothe the itching. Other effective
treatments are cold compresses,
calamine lotion, oral antihistamines and oral steroids. Learn
more myths and facts about
poison ivy at uvahealth.com/
poisonivy.
VIM & VIGOR SPRING 2020

http://www.uvahealth.com/papsmear https://blog.uvahealth.com/ https://blog.uvahealth.com/ http://www.facebook.com/uvahealth https://blog.uvahealth.com/2019/08/23/poison-ivy-rash/ https://blog.uvahealth.com/2019/08/23/poison-ivy-rash/

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2020 - UVA

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