Early Detection is Key to Gynecologic Cancers
Every hour an estimated 10 U.S. women will be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. These cancers—ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal and vulvar— are the fourth most common cancers in American women today.
According to Women’s Care gynecologic oncologist Audrey Garrett, MD, the good news is that with early detection and educational tools–such as PAP and risk assessment tests–some gynecologic cancers can be detected in early stages, and some may be prevented. She also notes that early detection also increases life expectancy.
Here are the basics every woman should know about gynecologic cancers. Reliable, detailed information is available at the Women’s Cancer Network Web site: www.wcn.org.
Risk factors: At increased risk are women who are older, have never been pregnant, have a family history of ovarian and breast cancer, are Caucasian, have had breast cancer, and had early menses or late menopause. Studies have shown that the risk of ovarian cancer can be lowered 40 percent to 60 percent with the use of birth control pills.
Symptoms: Are often missed because they’re associated with the gastrointestinal tract, such as bloating, indigestion, nausea and constipation. All these symptoms aren’t specific to ovarian cancer, and may result from less harmful causes. However, it’s important to be sure, so see your doctor if these symptoms last more than three weeks.
Risk factors: HPV, smoking, lack of regular Pap tests, HIV infection.
Symptoms: Pre-cancerous lesions in the cervix often produce no symptoms—that’s why it’s so important to have regular Pap tests. Symptoms may include increased vaginal discharge, often bloody or foul smelling; abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods or after intercourse; strange or unpleasant vaginal odor; or pain during intercourse, or spontaneous pelvic pain.
Risk Factors: Women at increased risk are those who are dramatically overweight, have post-menopausal bleeding, have used estrogen without progesterone, have diabetes or hypertension, were never pregnant, or had late onset of menopause. Taking birth control pills during childbearing years can lower a woman's risk of endometrial cancer.
Symptoms: Post-menopausal bleeding or vaginal discharge, unusual vaginal bleeding, pain when urinating, pain during intercourse, pain in pelvic area or lower abdomen.
Risk Factors: At increased risk are women who are over 50, are smokers, have HPV or HIV, have other genital cancers, and have a family history of melanoma.
Symptoms: Symptoms of squamous cell cancer of the vulva include itching that doesn’t improve; change in skin color or feel; red, white, or wart-like bump on the vulva; pain or burning when urinating; bleeding and discharge not related to menstruation; enlarged glands in the groin. Symptoms of melanoma of the vulva include appearance of a new mole on the vulva or a change in a mole that’s been present for years.
Risk Factors: At increased risk of vaginal squamous cell carcinoma are women who are over 60, have HPV, or have had pre-cancerous conditions of cervix or cervical cancer.
Symptoms: Early vaginal cancers may not produce symptoms. Many early cases of vaginal cancer or precancerous conditions can be found early through routine pelvic exams. A large percentage of women with invasive vaginal cancer do have symptoms including vaginal bleeding after menopause, vaginal bleeding after intercourse, abnormal vaginal discharge, a mass in the vagina that can be felt, pain during intercourse, pain when urinating, and constant pain in the pelvic area.
According to Women’s Care gynecologic oncologist Audrey Garrett, MD, the good news is that with early detection and educational tools–such as PAP and risk assessment tests–some gynecologic cancers can be detected in early stages, and some may be prevented. She also notes that early detection also increases life expectancy.
Here are the basics every woman should know about gynecologic cancers. Reliable, detailed information is available at the Women’s Cancer Network Web site: www.wcn.org.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a form of malignant tumor that can grow from different cells in the ovaries. Yet it’s important to note that not all tumors found in the ovaries are cancerous. Although ovarian is the most lethal of the gynecologic cancers, the long-term prognosis is very good for those whose ovarian cancer is detected when the cancer is confined to the ovary.Risk factors: At increased risk are women who are older, have never been pregnant, have a family history of ovarian and breast cancer, are Caucasian, have had breast cancer, and had early menses or late menopause. Studies have shown that the risk of ovarian cancer can be lowered 40 percent to 60 percent with the use of birth control pills.
Symptoms: Are often missed because they’re associated with the gastrointestinal tract, such as bloating, indigestion, nausea and constipation. All these symptoms aren’t specific to ovarian cancer, and may result from less harmful causes. However, it’s important to be sure, so see your doctor if these symptoms last more than three weeks.
Cervical Cancer
Cancer of the cervix begins in the lower part of the uterus that opens to the vagina. Cervical cancer may develop in women who have been infected with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus. The routine use of the Pap test has dramatically lowered cervical cancer deaths. Also, recent advances in Pap tests and progress in developing an HPV vaccine offer additional hope for detection and prevention.Risk factors: HPV, smoking, lack of regular Pap tests, HIV infection.
Symptoms: Pre-cancerous lesions in the cervix often produce no symptoms—that’s why it’s so important to have regular Pap tests. Symptoms may include increased vaginal discharge, often bloody or foul smelling; abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods or after intercourse; strange or unpleasant vaginal odor; or pain during intercourse, or spontaneous pelvic pain.
Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
Endometrial cancer develops in the lining of the uterus. The most common cancer of the female reproductive system, it’s usually curable when detected early.Risk Factors: Women at increased risk are those who are dramatically overweight, have post-menopausal bleeding, have used estrogen without progesterone, have diabetes or hypertension, were never pregnant, or had late onset of menopause. Taking birth control pills during childbearing years can lower a woman's risk of endometrial cancer.
Symptoms: Post-menopausal bleeding or vaginal discharge, unusual vaginal bleeding, pain when urinating, pain during intercourse, pain in pelvic area or lower abdomen.
Vulvar Cancer
Vulvar cancer starts in the vulva, the outer part of the female reproductive system. An uncommon type of cancer, it’s highly curable when found in its early stages.Risk Factors: At increased risk are women who are over 50, are smokers, have HPV or HIV, have other genital cancers, and have a family history of melanoma.
Symptoms: Symptoms of squamous cell cancer of the vulva include itching that doesn’t improve; change in skin color or feel; red, white, or wart-like bump on the vulva; pain or burning when urinating; bleeding and discharge not related to menstruation; enlarged glands in the groin. Symptoms of melanoma of the vulva include appearance of a new mole on the vulva or a change in a mole that’s been present for years.
Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal cancer is rare. Nearly 90 percent of vaginal cancers begin in the thin cell layer (epithelium) and are called vaginal squamous cell carcinomas.Risk Factors: At increased risk of vaginal squamous cell carcinoma are women who are over 60, have HPV, or have had pre-cancerous conditions of cervix or cervical cancer.
Symptoms: Early vaginal cancers may not produce symptoms. Many early cases of vaginal cancer or precancerous conditions can be found early through routine pelvic exams. A large percentage of women with invasive vaginal cancer do have symptoms including vaginal bleeding after menopause, vaginal bleeding after intercourse, abnormal vaginal discharge, a mass in the vagina that can be felt, pain during intercourse, pain when urinating, and constant pain in the pelvic area.
