Title: Abnormal Pap Smears: What Every Woman Needs to Know Author: Lynda Rushing, M.D. & Nancy Joste, M.D. Publisher: Prometheus Books Publish Date: 2001 Pages: 274 Genres:: Sexual Health/Women,Reviewer: J. Henry

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Dr’s Rushing and Joste have compiled a substantial amount of information neatly packaged in a paperback on Pap smears and cervical cancer (precautions and treatments) in a detailed and organized manner in Abnormal Pap Smears. This trade book serves as a great reference for women, stressing the overall importance of having a regular Pap smear test.

In the first chapter, the reader is introduced to the cause of cervical cancer and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) by learning about Human Papillomaviruses (HPV). Certain HPV are connected to cervical cancer, but HPV are most associated with introducing STIs in or around male and female genitalia. One disease in particular is genital warts. Readers may not be aware that HPV is easily spread through “skin to skin contact, vaginal sex, anal sex and, rarely, oral sex.”

What many women should be alert of is that “close to 80 percent of sexually active young women will at one time be infected by HPV." Out of these numbers, a smaller percentage of women will go on to develop an HPV infection that develops into cancer of the cervix in later years.

What the authors want to make women mindful of is how important it is to have an annual Pap smear test performed during visits to the gynecologist. The statistics provided revealed that 20-25 percent of American women have never been or are not routinely screened for cervical cancer. These statistics stem from research done five or more years ago, but the information is still quite relevant and may have risen or lowered in the past several years. Consider that one Pap smear test may not find initial stages of cervical cancer. Traces of this disease may be found over several years of having regular tests done and receiving abnormal results. Unfortunately, many women may find out that they have this disease through gynecological problems that have arisen, exposing the disease to be present or to have spread.

Abnormal Pap Smears can be a quick read and if need be a reader can skip certain sections if they deem it necessary. By not reading the chapter entitled "Pap Smear 101," you won’t feel lost when delving into others, which is a real triumph on the authors' part to be able to relay as much relevant information as possible without the use of complicated terminology or meticulous explanation to have to refer back to. Instead, this book is written in a conversational, informative tone, as if the procedure and history of the detection of cervical cancer in addition to options in regards to treatment was being explained to you in a one on one discussion with your doctor.

The overall success of Abnormal Pap Smears is in the delivery, the breadth of information provided as well as the details given in regards to most aspects connected to cervical cancer. There’s also a Frequently Asked Questions section detailing patient concerns: “I have just received a negative Pap smear. Does this mean that I am free of ovarian as well as cervical cancer?” Questions such as this are certainly important. After reading this book, you may find yourself wanting to know more about other types of cancer that women are at risk for.