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The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States -- a fact that’s especially important for women because HPV causes cervical cancer. Dr. Christine Brass-Jones performs routine Pap smears because that’s the only way to catch changes in your cervix before they progress into cancer. If you need to schedule a Pap smear or an annual well-woman exam, please call the Center for True Harmony Wellness & Medicine in Mesa, Arizona, or use the convenient online booking feature.
Pap smears screen for cervical cancer, which is caused by the type of human papillomavirus (HPV) spread during sexual contact with an infected person. Most women infected with HPV don’t need to worry: HPV infections are usually cleared away by the body’s immune system within two years.
In some cases, however, the HPV virus persists and manages to invade cells in the cervix, where it causes abnormal cell growth. The cells gradually become precancerous, then turn into cervical cancer.
Your age and individual health determine how often you should have a Pap smear. You may need more frequent screening if you have a family history of cancer or other risk factors.
Dr. Brass-Jones performs a Pap smear by removing a small sample of cells from your cervix, then sending them to a specialized lab for analysis. Any abnormal changes are graded based on their severity, which in turn guides the next step.
Follow-up care includes options such as an HPV test, a repeat Pap in three to six months, a colposcopy, or a biopsy. Dr. Brass-Jones performs a colposcopy -- examination of your cervix under magnification -- when Pap results are moderate to severe, or when mild changes don’t resolve.
At the Center for True Harmony Wellness & Medicine, women have conventional and naturopathic treatment options.
Conventional treatment options include:
Naturopathic treatments cause less damage to your cervix because they only target the abnormal cells and boost your body’s innate ability to heal itself. Dr. Brass-Jones offers two primary types of natural treatments:
Dr. Brass-Jones and Dr. Grobe use escharotic treatment for moderate to severe dysplasia. It consists of an herbal and mineral mixture that’s applied topically to the cervix. The treatment stimulates abnormal cell death while promoting healthy cell growth. You’ll receive a series of ten escharotic treatments followed by a repeat Pap to monitor results.
Specialized and individualized naturopathic treatment designed to stimulate your immune system and heal your cervix.
