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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Augusta, Ga. – Nearly every six minutes, a woman in the United States is diagnosed with some form of gynecologic cancer. That’s a staggering 240 women every day.
Here are answers from the MCGHealth Cancer Center to some of most
frequently asked questions to help women better understand these
diseases.
What is Gynecologic cancer?
Gynecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman’s
reproductive organs. The five types of gynecologic cancers begin in
different places within a woman’s pelvis, which is the area below the
stomach and in between the hip bones.
Each gynecologic cancer is unique, with different signs, symptoms, risk
factors and prevention strategies. All women are at risk for
gynecologic cancers, and risk increases with age. When gynecologic
cancers are found early, treatment is most effective.
What are the five types of gynecologic cancer?
1. Uterine cancer begins in the uterus, the pear-shaped organ in a
woman’s pelvis where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant.
Approximately 37,500 women are diagnosed with this type of gynecological
cancer each year, making it the most common cancer of the reproductive
system.
2. Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, which are located on each side
of the uterus. Almost 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer
each year. While it is less common than uterine cancer, it is much more
deadly, causing more deaths than any other cancer of the female
reproductive system.
3. Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end
of the uterus, or womb. Approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with
cervical cancer each year.
4. Vulvar cancer begins in the vulva, the outer part of the female
genital organs. About 3,740 women are diagnosed with vulvar cancer each
year.
5. Vaginal cancer beings in the vagina, which is the hollow, tube-like
channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body.
Nearly 1,027 women are diagnosed with vaginal cancer per year.
What are some of the warning signs or symptoms?
Cervical and vaginal cancers may have little or no early symptoms.
Ovarian, uterine and vulvar cancers usually do show signs. Here are some
of the signs that could indicate cancer in the reproductive system for
women:
● Unusual bleeding or bleeding during intercourse.
● Vaginal discharge that is slightly bloody.
● Bloating.
● Pelvic or abdominal pain, or pain during intercourse.
● Trouble eating or feeling full quickly.
● Urinary urgency or frequency.
● Itching of the vulva that does not go away.
● Skin changes or persistent sores.
How is gynecological cancer detected?
Seeing your doctor for regular Pap smears can be one of the best
methods in detecting gynecologic cancers. Make an appointment with your
gynecologist a year in advance and be sure to keep each visit.
The Pap test can detect cervical cancer early, when treatment is most
effective. This test also helps prevent cervical cancers by uncovering
pre-cancers or cell changes on the cervix that could become cancer if
they are not treated appropriately.
In addition to the Pap test, which is the main test for cervical cancer
there is a test that looks for human papillomavirus or HPV. Some
gynecologic cancers are caused by HPV, a very common sexually
transmitted infection. There is a vaccine that protects against the HPV
types that most often cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for 11 and 12 year old girls. Ideally,
girls should get three doses before their first sexual contact. The
vaccine can also be administered to females age 13 to 26 not previously
vaccinated or who didn’t get all three doses when they were younger.
There is no simple or reliable way to test for other gynecologic
cancers
in women who do not have any signs or symptoms. That is why it is
important to
know about the cancers, recognize warning signs and learn what you can
do to reduce your risk. Talk with your doctors if you believe that you
are at an increased risk for gynecologic cancer and ask what you might
do to lower your risk.
What kind of treatment is available?
If your doctor diagnoses gynecologic cancer, ask to be referred to a
gynecologic oncologist, a doctor who has been trained to treat the
cancers of a woman’s reproductive system. This specialist will work
with you to create a treatment plan that may include in or all of the
following:
● Surgery
● Chemotherapy
● Radiation Therapy
Nearly 80,000 women will be diagnosed with gynecological cancer this
year. There is no way to know for sure if you will be one of them, but
you can be proactive in the fight. It is important to pay attention to
your body and know what is normal for you, so you can recognize possible
warning signs or symptoms. If you think you have any warning signs, talk
to your doctor, nurse, or other health care professional right away.
MCG Health, Inc. (d/b/a MCGHealth) is a not-for-profit corporation
operating the MCGHealth Medical Center, MCGHealth Children’s Medical
Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related outpatient
facilities and services throughout the state.
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