Cancer Prevention In Women

Education, common sense prove best defense

Each year, more than 71,500 American women are newly diagnosed with ovarian, cervical or uterine cancer: close to 25,000 die annually from these conditions. With little or no warning, gynecologic cancer can strike a woman at any age, regardless of social or economic status. How does a woman arm herself against this major health threat? The answer may lie in dispelling some misconceptions and relying on common sense.

Myths about gynecologic cancer

The most common myth about gynecologic cancer is:

Myth : Annual pap smears protect women from getting any form of gynecologic cancer.

Fact: Contrary to popular belief, a pap smear does not diagnose all types of gynecologic cancer. Cervical pap smears evaluate the cells of the cervix only. Cells of the uterus and ovaries are not included in a cervical pap smear. A negative pap smear result does not necessarily dismiss the presence of ovarian or uterine cancer.

Understanding gynecologic cancer

The most prevalent of all gynecologic cancers is endometrial or uterine, cancer. It is a disease of older, usually overweight women. It is also the most curable gynecologic cancer that exists because of its early warning symptom--abnormal bleeding after menopause.

In the past, physicians prescribed high doses of estrogen to replace lost hormones during menopause. However, researchers later found that this high dose of estrogen actually increased the risk of cancer in some women. Today, hormone replacement therapy is composed of a more balanced level of estrogen and a second hormone, progesterone. Because of this formulation change, the number of diagnosed cases of endometrial cancer is decreasing each year in the United States.

Unfortunately, cancer of the ovaries has vague symptoms and none are absolute indicators of ovarian cancer. Many of the symptoms mimic bowel and bladder disorders. Symptoms are distinguished from other disorders by their consistenccy and the fact that they become progressively worse. Symtoms which should be evaluated include:

Pressure or pain in the abdomen, pelvis, back or legs
A swollen or bloated abdomen
Persistent nausea, indigestion, gas, constipation or diarrhea
Urinary urgency
Fatigue
Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly

Although a few screening tests have been used with some success, a definitive test is not yet available to aid the physician in diagnosing the disease. For these reasons, ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed in its advanced stage during a regular pelvic exam. If found early, however, the survival rate for ovarian cancer is roughly 80 percent, but much less so if found in its advanced stages.

A woman's greatest defense is regular
examinations. It's that simple.

Being proactive with prevention

There are also no warning signs for the onset of early cervical cancer. If found in its early stages during an annual pap smear, however, cervical cancer is highly curable.Regular cervical pap smears may help your physician diagnose cervical cancer in its early stages.

For women using hormone therapy following menopause, the combination of estrogen and progesterone agents is important in preventing uterine cancer. Generally, a healthy diet that is low in fat may be another way to reduce a woman's risk of endometrial cancer. Fat tissue has the ability to produce estrogen, and too much estrogen can cause endometrial cancer.

There isn't a classical stereotype of a woman who gets gynecologic cancer. Every woman is at risk, but some more than others. A woman's greatest defense is regular examinations. It's that simple.

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Last Updated: September 29, 2009