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Gynecological cancers are the most diagnosed cancers among women and they are silent killers. More than 90,000 women are diagnosed with Gynecological cancers each year. In America every 6 minutes a woman is diagnosed with gynecological cancers. It is estimated that there will be 91,730 new cases diagnosed in the United States this year alone, resulting in a predicated 28,080 deaths. Some of these cancers have been called "silent killers" because women are often unaware of the signs and symptoms associated with these cancers and do not catch them until it is too late. There are several types of gynecological cancers, which include cervical, ovarian, uterine/endometrial, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
CERVICAL CANCER
Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death by cancer in women worldwide. In the United States alone 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The cervix has two types of cells, squamous and glandular cells. Abnormal changes in either of these two types of cells can result in cervical cancer. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by a persistent infection with a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and it is estimated that about 1 in 1,000 cases are of DES Daughters.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer:
Common symptoms of women who have developed cervical cancer include:
Vaginal discharge
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Vaginal odor
Pain (lower back pain, pelvic pain, pains down the legs)
Pelvic bloating
Fatigue
Bleeding following sexual intercourse
Spotting in between periods
Prevention of Cervical Cancer:
Regular screenings, pap smears, and HPV screenings are crucial to early detection.
OVARIAN CANCER
There are three types of ovarian cancer: epithelial ovarian cancer, germ cell cancer, and stromal cell cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common accounting for 85 to 89 percent of ovarian cancers. It ranks fourth in cancer deaths among women, causing more deaths than any other female reproductive system cancer. Ovarian cancer has often been called the "silent killer" because symptoms don't develop until it is nearly too late.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:
Extreme sudden bloating
Pelvic, abdominal, and back pains
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Weight Loss
Fatigue
Upset Stomach
Pain during sex
Constipation
Menstrual changes
Therefore, the frequency and/or number of these symptoms are the key factors in diagnosing ovarian cancer.
UTERINE/ENDOMETRIAL
Uterine cancer also known as endometrial cancer, is the most common type of gynecological cancer. Some risk factors for uterine/endometrial cancer include the use of estrogen without progesterone, diabetes, hypertension, tamoxifen use and later age of Menopause. However, one of the most common risk factors for developing uterine/endometrial cancer is obesity. Women who are obese have higher circulating levels of estrogen, which increases their risk for uterine/endometrial cancer.
Symptoms of Uterine/Endometrial Cancer:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Spotting after menopause
New onset of heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods
Watery or pink or white discharge from the vagina
Two or more weeks of persistent pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic pain
Pain during sexual intercourse
VAGINAL CANCER
Vaginal cancer is the rarest form of gynecological cancers usually affecting women between 50 to 70 years old. Due to the fact that vaginal cancers are often associated with HPV, vaginal cancers can possibly be prevented by vaccinating women and young girls before they are sexually active.
Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer:
Typical symptoms do not show until the cancer is more advanced.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Abnormal vaginal discharge
A lump or mass on or in the vagina
Painful urination
Constipation
Pelvic pain
Pain during intercourse
VULVAR CANCER
Vulvar cancer is a rare abnormal growth on the external female genitalia. Vulvar cancer is very curable when it is detected at an early stage. Treatment can have substantial adverse effects on a patients' sexual function, bladder and rectal function, as well as their body image.
Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer:
A red, pink, or white bump(s) that has a raw or wart-like surface
An open sore or ulcer that persists for more than a month
Persistent itching, pain, soreness, or burning in the vulvar area
Bleeding or discharge not associated with menstruation
A change in the appearance of an existing mole
A patch of skin that is differently textured or colored than the rest of the vulvar area.
Nearly one in twenty women are affected by gynecological cancers. With more than 100 types of HPV responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer and some vaginal and vulvar cancers. 80% of women will get an infection in their lifetime. Pap tests are important in early detection and prevention of certain gynecological cancers.
BE PROACTIVE
It is important to be in tune with your body and pay attention to any new changes or notice new symptoms. As women, we should know our bodies. If you're not feeling right, do not put off seeing your doctor. If you don't agree with your doctor, get a second opinion. We are our own advocates.
CERVICAL CANCER
Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death by cancer in women worldwide. In the United States alone 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The cervix has two types of cells, squamous and glandular cells. Abnormal changes in either of these two types of cells can result in cervical cancer. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by a persistent infection with a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and it is estimated that about 1 in 1,000 cases are of DES Daughters.
Symptoms of Cervical Cancer:
Common symptoms of women who have developed cervical cancer include:
Vaginal discharge
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Vaginal odor
Pain (lower back pain, pelvic pain, pains down the legs)
Pelvic bloating
Fatigue
Bleeding following sexual intercourse
Spotting in between periods
Prevention of Cervical Cancer:
Regular screenings, pap smears, and HPV screenings are crucial to early detection.
OVARIAN CANCER
There are three types of ovarian cancer: epithelial ovarian cancer, germ cell cancer, and stromal cell cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common accounting for 85 to 89 percent of ovarian cancers. It ranks fourth in cancer deaths among women, causing more deaths than any other female reproductive system cancer. Ovarian cancer has often been called the "silent killer" because symptoms don't develop until it is nearly too late.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:
Extreme sudden bloating
Pelvic, abdominal, and back pains
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Weight Loss
Fatigue
Upset Stomach
Pain during sex
Constipation
Menstrual changes
Therefore, the frequency and/or number of these symptoms are the key factors in diagnosing ovarian cancer.
UTERINE/ENDOMETRIAL
Uterine cancer also known as endometrial cancer, is the most common type of gynecological cancer. Some risk factors for uterine/endometrial cancer include the use of estrogen without progesterone, diabetes, hypertension, tamoxifen use and later age of Menopause. However, one of the most common risk factors for developing uterine/endometrial cancer is obesity. Women who are obese have higher circulating levels of estrogen, which increases their risk for uterine/endometrial cancer.
Symptoms of Uterine/Endometrial Cancer:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Spotting after menopause
New onset of heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods
Watery or pink or white discharge from the vagina
Two or more weeks of persistent pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic pain
Pain during sexual intercourse
VAGINAL CANCER
Vaginal cancer is the rarest form of gynecological cancers usually affecting women between 50 to 70 years old. Due to the fact that vaginal cancers are often associated with HPV, vaginal cancers can possibly be prevented by vaccinating women and young girls before they are sexually active.
Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer:
Typical symptoms do not show until the cancer is more advanced.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Abnormal vaginal discharge
A lump or mass on or in the vagina
Painful urination
Constipation
Pelvic pain
Pain during intercourse
VULVAR CANCER
Vulvar cancer is a rare abnormal growth on the external female genitalia. Vulvar cancer is very curable when it is detected at an early stage. Treatment can have substantial adverse effects on a patients' sexual function, bladder and rectal function, as well as their body image.
Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer:
A red, pink, or white bump(s) that has a raw or wart-like surface
An open sore or ulcer that persists for more than a month
Persistent itching, pain, soreness, or burning in the vulvar area
Bleeding or discharge not associated with menstruation
A change in the appearance of an existing mole
A patch of skin that is differently textured or colored than the rest of the vulvar area.
Nearly one in twenty women are affected by gynecological cancers. With more than 100 types of HPV responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer and some vaginal and vulvar cancers. 80% of women will get an infection in their lifetime. Pap tests are important in early detection and prevention of certain gynecological cancers.
BE PROACTIVE
It is important to be in tune with your body and pay attention to any new changes or notice new symptoms. As women, we should know our bodies. If you're not feeling right, do not put off seeing your doctor. If you don't agree with your doctor, get a second opinion. We are our own advocates.