This book highlights both conventional and nanomaterials-based biosensors for the detection of cervical cancers. It describes developments in the selective and sensitive electrochemical biosensors based on DNA for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Further, this book covers other nano-biosensing systems such as nano-thermometry-based sensing platforms, mechanical sensing platforms encompassing piezoelectric-based sensors, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy based on PEGylated arginine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles, and field-effect transistor-based platforms for the early detection of cervical cancer. Also, it presents conventional platforms such as vibrational spectroscopy and polymerase chain reaction techniques for the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Finally, it reviews currently available biomarkers for the early diagnosis of cervical cancer and presents strategies for developing novel biomarkers based on cellular and molecular approaches. As such, this book is a comprehensive resource for researchers and clinicians working in cervical cancer diagnostics.

Across time and place, pregnancy and childbirth rank among the most transformative physical and psychological events in women's lives. Women's childbearing experiences depend not only on their own biology and psyche but also on the nature and quality of care they receive. The nature of the prevailing obstetric care model in the early 21st-century United States has been described as "high-tech, low touch," highlighting its emphasis on using medical technology, as opposed to non-technological care and support, to control unproblematic physical processes on the argument that this approach improves maternal safety and comfort. However, it should be noted that reasonably reliable national data fail to show significant maternal or newborn health gains corresponding to recent, dramatic rises in hospital obstetric procedures such as labor induction, labor acceleration, and cesarean delivery. In this context where medical intervention, necessary or not, assumes an increasingly central role in the childbearing equation, questions of what mothers expect to happen in labor and delivery and how their subsequent birth experiences meet those expectations become paramount. Global numeric indicators cannot capture the quality of women's reactions to childbirth itself, particularly as maternal care shifts in response to consumer interests it presupposes, offering options for comfort, care, and even the possibility of foregoing the labor process altogether. This work reflects the critical need to document early 21st-century U.S. mothers' own words on what they expected to happen in childbirth and later, how labor and delivery went and how it met their expectations. Among this book's most important contributions is its inclusion of extensive interview material drawn from 75 diverse women who spoke freely on their childbirth expectations and subsequent experiences. By itself, the interview material lends an important, though at times unsettling, insider perspective on how labor and delivery can unfold. The narratives also provide a maternal view on how those charged with their care respond during this physically and emotionally demanding transition. In addition, the book provides a timely analysis of scientific data on contemporary maternal care procedures, making plain why so many refer to 21st-century mainstream obstetric care as "technocratic." The scientific data serve as an excellent backdrop for more extensive coverage of the maternal interviews, organized around the distinctions mothers made related to the childbirth pathway on which they anticipated traveling such as natural childbirth in a hospital, planned cesarean delivery, or planned vaginal birth after cesarean. The pathways are in turn discussed in terms of their relationship to an underlying technocratic, humanistic, or holistic maternal care philosophy. The book is targeted towards an academic readership, including scholars and medical professionals with interest in women's health, women's and maternal mental health, women's reproductive health, reproductive technology, medical humanities, medical anthropology, narrative studies, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Responding to the growing need for tried-and-trusted solutions to the reproductive health care issues confronting millions of women worldwide, Obstetrics and Gynecology in Low-Resource Settings provides practical guidelines for ensuring the delivery of quality OB/GYN care to women in resource-poor countries. Including contributions from leading clinicians and researchers in the field, this welcome overview fills an important gap in existing medical literature on women's health care and will be an invaluable resource for doctors, clinicians, and medical students at all stages of their careers who work in the global health arena. The reproductive health risks that all women face are greatly exacerbated when health care facilities are inadequate, equipment and medications are in short supply, and well-trained medical staff are few and far away. Often in these settings, the sole doctor or medical professional on hand has expertise in some areas of women's reproductive care but needs a refresher course in others. This informative guide features hands-on, step-by-step instruction for the most pertinent OB/GYN conditions-both acute and chronic-that health care workers in the field confront. The authors examine a wide range of topics, including: strategies to reduce maternal mortality and stillbirths; infectious and sexually transmitted diseases, including malaria and HIV; cervical cancer; contraception; prenatal, delivery, and newborn care; and complications arising from gender-based violence and female genital cutting. Published in a convenient format with a durable binding, this reference will be an essential companion to health care providers throughout the world.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse, or POP, is a little talked about female health issue that half of all childbearing women will experience late in life. There are more than 300,000 surgeries for POP annually. Due to various causes such as menopause, estrogen loss, genetics, childbirth or heavy lifting, a woman's pelvic organs can shift or drop. This can lead to POP symptoms, including some painful and embarrassing ones, as well as impacting a woman s sexuality. The condition has probably always existed, but has received little press or public acknowledgement so women could learn about the condition and treatment options. This book on POP fills an unfortunate void in women s health awareness. Sherrie Palm writes about her own personal experiences in Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic. She had never heard about the condition until she needed surgery for it. Palm explores the subject from all angles, providing the information women need to recognize the symptoms of POP and to become advocates for their own health. Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic named the winner for Women's Health in the USA Book News National BEST BOOKS 2009 Awards. http: //www.usabooknews.com/2009bestbooksawards.html More information about Sherrie Palm, and how she is creating awareness for this women's health issue can be found on her website: http: //sherriepalm.com/home About the Author: First-time author Sherrie Palm is a retired business owner. She lives in Wisconsin with her significant other; she has four children and seven grandchildren. Palm plans to conduct educational seminars on POP. She is also actively involved with the local Special Olympics and will donate a portion of the book s proceeds to the group.

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery provides a complete, practical and timely review of the minimally invasive surgical techniques used to treat gynaecologic diseases and conditions. Recent advances in technology and instrumentation, particularly the use of robot-assisted surgery, mean that minimally invasive approaches have become increasingly established as alternatives to traditional open surgeries. This book describes the full range of minimally invasive procedures in current gynaecologic practice, with discussion of the indications and contraindications and a summary of available evidence. The book opens with a section describing instrumentation, electrosurgery, how to avoid and manage complications and single port surgery. Subsequent sections cover procedures for benign and malignant conditions and relevant robotically assisted surgeries. Highly structured chapters provide practical guidance to key steps of each procedure, alternative management options; contraindications and available evidence Stellar contributors from leading centers in the USA, Brazil, Chile, Canada, France, Italy and Belgium ensure coverage reflects global best practice

The vast majority of women suffer from back pain while they are pregnant, during labor, and/or post partum. This book was written to address, empower, and inform women about back pain related to pregnancy. The book explains the unique physical conditions associated with pregnancy, why women might be experiencing discomfort and, more importantly, how back pain can be avoided.

This book investigates the most effective behavior change communication (BCC) strategies to reach socio-economically vulnerable mothers to promote early initiation of breastfeeding after birth in rural Niger. It thereby goes beyond conventional research frameworks by looking into multifaceted indicators including socio-economic and demographic status of mothers, environmental health, family and community based social network and typology of field activities. The book analyses demographic indicators by using field based pragmatic perspectives to scrutinise what the numbers tell in the local context. It also analyses a unique dataset of non-health related indicators such as income poverty to measure socio-economic vulnerability of mothers, involvement of and interactions with other family and community actors in child healthcare in addition to conventional socio-economic, demographic and health seeking behavioural indicators. The book draws policy and strategy recommendations based on the thorough analysis of each risk and protective factor for breastfeeding after birth to redirect technical and financial investment towards its most effective use for the optimal coverage of populations deprived from access to basic health and social services. As such this book is a very valuable read to researchers, public health and nutrition experts and decision makers in child health.

The present book on Molecular & Diagnostic Imaging and Treatment Strategies of ovarian cancer is one of two companion books with the second one being focused on Cell and Molecular Biology of Ovarian Cancer. Both books include new exciting aspects of ovarian cancer research with chapters written by experts in their respective fields who contributed their unique expertise in specific ovarian cancer research areas and include cell and molecular details that are important for the specific subtopics. Comprehensive and concise reviews are included of key topics in the field.

Hormonal influences, both natural and iatrogenic, are implicated in the most frequent health issues of women. Endometrial cancer is now the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and the industrialized world. This cancer is strongly related to hormonal and metabolic factors. In addition, breast cancer treated with hormone therapy (Tamoxifen) may, in some cases, be associated with uterine pathology. Hormone therapy is used to improve the physiological effects and counteract abnormal and deleterious effects of "natural" hormonal activity. Millions of women receive hormone therapy at some point of their life: using oral contraceptives, reproductive technology, treatment for post-menopausal symptoms, among other uses. This book addresses a range of women's health issues, from fertility to neoplasms, and their relationship with natural and iatrogenic hormonal effects. Chapters include clinical and pathological descriptions, theoretical and practical medical issues, and original studies and cases. Controversial issues in certain hormone therapies are presented with updated concepts based on clinical studies and novel statistical methods. The book will be useful for specialized and general physicians, oncologists, endocrinologists, researchers, medical students, and others in the field of women's health.

Gynaecological practice has changed fundamentally in the last three decades and a large proportion of major pelvic operations has been replaced by minimally invasive approaches. This book will cover minimally invasive approaches in all aspects of gynaecology including general gynaecology, oncology, urogynaecology and reproductive medicine. The chapters are written at a level appropriate for trainees/residents and general gynaecology specialists but enough details and additional resources will be provided for those who require further information. Specific aim of the book is to provide direct to the point surgical pearls which can be adapted to the daily practice instantly by the target audience. The book includes chapters on relevant surgical anatomy, principles of MIS, management of camera systems, video/image editing, initiating a successful MIS practice, improving efficiency of current MIS program, how to develop successful teaching techniques in academic setting, avoiding & managing MIS related surgical complications and preoperative/postoperative care before covering MIS for individual conditions including intensive care managements. Chapters are written by world renown authorities. ACOG guideline recently published a statement recommending vaginal hysterectomy and endoscopic hysterectomy should be considered as a first step of surgical choice. Current practice has been shifting from open cases to laparoscopic/ robotic assisted cases while vaginal cases stays steady. This shift has created an urge among gynaecologists to learn, improve or adapt laparoscopic/ robotic techniques in their practice.