OCR Text |
Show 8 HILLTOP TIMES TIMES Jan. 10, 2013 Cervical cancer: 4 risks factors you aren't likely to know about BY SHARI LOPATIN TriWest Healthcare Alliance y ou might know that getting regular Pap tests is the No. 1 way to protect against cervical cancer ... but are you at high risk? Cervical cancer occurs most often in women older than 30 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It used to be the leading cause of cancer death for American women. However, over the past 40 years, the number of deaths has dropped sig- nificantly. This is all thanks to the Pap test—which TriCare covers. However, a few factors can increase your risk for cervical cancer and some are not well known. Risk factors for cervical cancer • High number of fullterm pregnancies: According to the National Cancer Institute, women who've had seven or more fullterm pregnancies could have an increased risk of cervical cancer. The CDC lists that number as three The CDC says that almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Luckily, there is a vaccine, and it's covered by TriCare. or more children. • Long-term use of birth control pills: Women who have used "The Pill" for five years or more have a greater risk of cervical cancer than women who don't use oral contraceptives, experts agree. • Smoking: This is perhaps one of the greatest preventable risk factors of cervical cancer. Quitting smoking can cut your risk in half. • HPV: Not to be confused with HIV ... HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus, a common sexually transmitted virus. TriCare and Pap Tests Above all else, get- N. PALACIOS Air Force News Service F ORT MEADE, Md. — With the current military retirement system, Airmen must serve in the military for 20 years before reaping retirement benefits, unless they are medically retired before hitting that mark. But what about Airmen who serve fewer than 20 years? A Thrift Savings Plan is a retirement and savings plan originally designed for Federal Employee's Retirement System employees and later became available to service members and employees of the older Civil Service Retirement System. On Oct. 1, service members became eligible to take advantage of a Roth version of the Thrift Savings Plan, where money is deducted from taxed income, but becomes tax-free money when it is withdrawn. According to TSP's external affairs director, Kim Weaver, there's a big difference between the two options. "The biggest difference is that the traditional TSP is pre-taxed money, so it reduces the amount of your income in that year," she said. "So let's say your salary is $50,000 and you contribute $5,000 to traditional TSP. That money comes out before you pay taxes on it. You're only paying taxes on $45,000, but, when you retire, or when you need the money, you pay taxes on what you withdraw then. "The Roth TSP is just the opposite," she explained. "The money coming into the Roth TSP is after-tax money." Contributors pay taxes before it is put in their account and as long as they follow two IRS rules, it will remain tax free, Weaver explained. Funds contributed must remain in the Roth TSP for five years and members must be 59 and a half consecutive normal tests, TriCare will cover a Pap test every three years, unless recommended otherwise by the doctor. For more information on cervical cancer prevention, visit TriWest.com/ prevention. Davis Hospital AND MEDICAL CENTER WELCOMES Thrift Savings Plan: Traditional or Roth BY DESIREE ting regular Pap tests remains the No. 1 way to detect cervical cancer early enough for successful treatment. TriCare covers Pap testing every year beginning at age 18 (or younger if sexually active). Then, after three Erin Kate Cassiere, M.D. Jennifer L. Evans, M.D. before they can withdrawal their funds. "All of the money that comes out is already taxed, so when that money is withdrawn at retirement, it is tax-free, which makes obviously a huge difference," she explains. "Then the question becomes, 'Do I think I'm going to pay higher taxes now or higher taxes later and is it going to help me to defer income now or is it OK to pay taxes going into the Roth TSP?" Federal employees can use the contribution comparison calculator on www. tsp.gov to help them determine which plan is right for them. The maximum contribution this year will be $17,500. Although federal employees must sign up for TSP, Weaver explained that Airmen can take advantage of TSP from day one of their enlistment. It is done through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. While most look at TSP as a roadmap to a comfortable retirement, Weaver said that enrolling in thrift savings, even for one or two enlistments, can pay real dividends. "They can either leave it in their TSP untouched, move the money around within the funds or leave it in until they are ready to retire," Weaver said. "They can also roll it over into another 401k plan in the private sector if they choose to do that. So, just because service members leave the military, it doesn't mean they are forfeiting their money. Once they contribute their money, the TSP belongs to the participant." One bit of caution. There can be large tax consequences for Airmen who simply pull their money out without any type of rollover into another account. For more information on the Thrift Savings Plan, go to www.tsp.gov . M.D. Erin Kate Cassiere, Erin Kate Cassiere, M.D., received her medical degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, followed by her residency at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Dr. Cassiere is a Junior Fellow in the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is also a member of the American Medical Association. She enjoys providing obstetric and gynecologic care to women of all ages and has a special interest in minimally invasive gynecology, normal and high-risk pregnancy and adolescent health. L. Evans, Jennifer M.D. Jennifer L. Evans, M.D., received her medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine. After completing medical school, she completed her residency at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Dr. Evans enjoys providing general obstetrics and gynecology care and teaching her patients about their health. She is a Junior Fellow in the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a member of the American Medical Association. She has special interests in both high-risk and normal pregnancy, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, adolescent health, and contraception. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Davis Hospital AND MEDICAL CENTER 801-776-0880. You 1600 W Antelope Drive, Layton, UT 84041 I davishospitaLcom THE EASY WAY TO SELL YOUR GENTLY USED ITEMS • CALL FOR DETAILS LOVESEAT WITH' PILLOWS [ AIR HOCKAY CHEST FREEZER ' •-•.mmlIM=111 TABLE WITH 4 CHAIRS KITCHEN BUFFET WITH LIGHTED DISPLAY 4 POSTERBED FRAME ROUND TABLE WITH LEAF &,„ 4 CHAIRS - 6 PIECE SECTIONAL .00 SPECIAL PURCHASE 5 PIECE,* KING SIZE BEDROOM SET PEPSI NEXT, CHERRY, VANILLA COLA 24 - 20 OZ BOTTLES GRANDFATHER CLOCK GRAY—SOFA (LIKE NEW) FRESH - LOCAL SHREDDED CHEESE SLICED CHEESE END CUTS CHEESE CURDS Unique Artistic Metal Art for Home and Garden INSIDE THE STANDARDEXAMINER BUILDING / ONLY 390 PER BOTTLE CANDLE WARMER TARTS A DIVISION OF Standard-Examiner www.standard.net TAKE A VIRTUAL CALL TO SEE HOW TO CONSIGN YOUR ITEMS ITEMS SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE 2nd Street r Second Street at 530 West 5 Blocks West of Wall Ave. Inside Standard-Examiner Building Ogden (Business Depot Ogden) • 801-625-4383 TOUR OF OUR STORE @ qconsign WWW.QUALITYCONSIGNMENTS.NET Hours: Tues-Fri Noon-6pm Sat 10am-4pm Closed Sun & Mon. 587860 1-8-13 |