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Six Steps to Prevent and Detect Gynecological Cancers

According to gynecologic oncologist Audrey Garrett, MD, there are six steps women can take to help prevent and detect cancers of the reproductive system. They are:

• See your physician. Annual gynecologic exams and PAP tests can help detect all gynecologic cancers. Early detection makes treatment more likely to be successful.
• Quit smoking. Smoking is associated with cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Twenty percent of all cancers in U.S. woman may be attributable to being dramatically overweight. The risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer is at least six times higher in dramatically overweight women.
• Learn your family history. Learn about your maternal and paternal family histories of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer. Since family history is the most significant risk factor for ovarian cancer, it’s important to alert your gynecologist so preventive steps can be taken.
• Learn about gynecologic cancer. Knowing the warning signs of gynecological cancers is key to early detection. A great information resource is the Women’s Cancer Network at www.wcn.org.
• Take a risk assessment. Determine your risk of developing gynecologic and breast cancer by taking a free online cancer risk assessment at the Women’s Cancer Network Web site.

Women who have symptoms of gynecologic cancers should be evaluated by a gynecologist who can determine if there is a cancer, its stage, and the proper course of treatment.

Financial Help Available for Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings

The Lane County Breast and Cervical Cancer Program is part of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The program helps financially challenged, uninsured, and medically underserved women gain access to lifesaving screening programs for early detection of breast and cervical cancers. If cancer is detected, the program may also cover treatment costs. For more information, phone the program at 541-682-6682.