-
Awareness of what constitutes a gynecologic cancer, as well as its risks and warning signs, may encourage women to prioritize preventive measures. Courtesy photo
Roughly 98,000 women will be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer this year. These diseases will claim some 30,000 lives, says the National Cervical Cancer Coalition. Awareness of what constitutes a gynecologic cancer, as well as its risks and warning signs, may encourage women to prioritize preventive measures.
The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University offers that gynecologic cancer is any cancer that begins in a woman’s reproductive organs. There are five main types of gynecologic cancers.
• Cervical cancer: Cervical cancer occurs when malignant cells are found in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the barrier between the vagina and the uterus, which dilates during childbirth and very slightly to allow for menstruation.
• Endometrial cancer: This cancer forms in the tissues of the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus.
• Ovarian cancer: Ovarian cancer affects the ovaries, which are responsible for producing eggs that will be fertilized and develop into embryos. Cancer also can form in the fallopian tubes, which transport the eggs to the uterus for fertilization, or the peritoneum, which is the abdominal cavity.
• Vaginal cancer: This cancer forms in the vagina, the chamber that connects the cervix/uterus to the outside of the body.
• Vulvar cancer: Cancer of the vulva affects the external female sex organs, including the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibular bulbs, vulva vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal opening, hymen, and Bartholin’s and Skene’s vestibular glands. Like vaginal cancer, vulvar cancers are very rare.
VeryWell Health advises that the causes and risk factors of gynecologic cancer vary among the five types. However, there are some common elements of risk.
• HPV infection: Human papilloma virus infection affects the skin or mucous membrane. There are more than 100 varieties of HPV, which is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Certain varieties can lead to cancer.
• DES exposure: DES was a synthetic estrogen given to women before 1971 to help prevent miscarriage during pregnancy. It was ultimately found to increase certain health risks.
• Smoking
• HIV/AIDS infection
Other risk factors for gynecologic cancer include family history, obesity and age. All women are at some risk for gynecologic cancers, and that risk increases with age.
Gynecologic cancer may provide few, if any, symptoms at the onset. Women can do their best to stay healthy by scheduling routine wellness exams and getting Pap tests and visual examinations. In their later stages, gynecologic cancers may produce abnormal vaginal discharge, pain or bleeding during sex, abdominal pain, or abnormal menstrual cycles. While the NCCC notes these symptoms can be indicative of other health issues, they should be discussed with a healthcare provider for further investigation.
Women should stay in tune with their bodies and follow up with their doctors to stay in peak health.