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September set aside for gynecologic cancer education
By Liz McGathey, Staff writer
In 2005, 75,144 women were diagnosed with some type of gynecologic cancer. In 2006, The House of Representatives recognized September as Gynecologic Awareness Month to increasing public awareness about ways to prevent, detect and treat gynecologic cancers.
Six forms of cancer affecting a woman’s reproductive organs comprise the gynecologic cancer group: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulvar and fallopian tube cancer.
The most deadly gynecologic cancer is ovarian. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 70 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2005 died from the disease.
"The thing that frustrates me is early detection. Things that should be easily preventable or treatable are delayed in getting seen," he said. "The delay allows the cancer to grow."
Oh said women need to get yearly pelvic exams with a gynecologist so any abnormalities can be found early.
Dr. Dennis Eisenberg, gynecologist on the Baylor Plano medical staff, said although some gynecologic cancers don't present early symptoms, women should alert their doctor if they experience unusual bleeding, which tends to be bright, fresh blood, or if they are having pain.
"A lot of times that's the problem with female cancers; the type when pain is part of the symptoms, it's very late in the game," Eisenberg said.
Oh said bloating can also be a symptom but just about anything can cause that issue, making it a less dependable warning sign.
Another problem is tumors caused by gynecologic cancers tend to grow quickly, so what may be melon-sized tumor now was potentially overlooked or even non-existent six months ago.
"Nature designed the woman's body to handle pregnancy; that's why you can have a tumor develop and be completely fine," Oh said.
Drs. Oh and Eisenberg said human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are important to prevent female cancers, specifically cervical cancer.
"In most cancers, HPV is present," Oh said. "HPV can infect cells of the cervix and cause them to be abnormal... if untreated, it can progress and if given enough time can turn into cancer."
The vaccine, he said, helps reduce incidents of dysplasia, reducing the risk of cervical cancer. Other cervical cancer risk factors include smoking, early age of first intercourse, large number of sex partners and HIV.
Although there are no specific actions women can do to prevent cancer, Oh said obesity plays a role in all cancers so weight control is important. Birth control can significantly reduce the risk of some reproductive cancers, but it can increase the risk of others, including breast cancer
Depending on the type of cancer, treatment varies from from surgery to radiation to chemotherapy.
For information, visit www.thegcf.org or www.sgo.org.
To learn about how advanced robotic technology is transforming gynecological surgery, visit www.BaylorHealth.com/PlanoWomen.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
Kelly1911 wrote on Oct 10, 2009 10:28 AM:
" Its waaaaaay past September. Certainly you could post timely and pertinent news by now. This is rediculous and annoying. "
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