What You Need To Know About Gynecologic Cancer

 

What is Gynecologic Cancer?

Gynecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman’s reproductive organs. The five major gynecologic cancers are: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar.

Each is unique and has different signs, symptoms, and risk factors (things that may increase your chance of getting a disease), and different prevention strategies.

All women are at risk for gynecologic cancers, and risk increases with age. It is important for you to pay attention to your body and know what is normal for you – so you can recognize any unusual signs or symptoms and seek medical care. When gynecologic cancers are found early, treatment is most effective.

How Many Women Are Affected?

Each year  approximately 71,500 women are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. Approximately 26,500 women die from a gynecologic cancer each year.

What is Cervical Cancer?

The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (or womb) and connects the upper part of the uterus to the vagina (the birth canal).

Cancer that starts in the cervix is called cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30. All women who have a cervix are at risk for cervical cancer. Each year, approximately 12,000 women in the U.S. get cervical cancer.

You Can Prevent Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent, with regular screening tests and follow-up. Two screening tests help prevent cervical cancer or find it early—

•The Pap test looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix.

•The HPV test looks for the human papilloma virus that can cause these cell changes.

HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer and is passed from one person to another during sex. At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point, but few women will get cervical cancer.

NOTE: The only cancer for which the Pap test screens is cervical cancer. It does not screen for any other gynecologic cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Early on, cervical cancer may not cause signs and symptoms. However, in later stages, cervical cancer may cause bleeding—especially after sex—or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you.

If you have unusual bleeding or discharge, see a health care provider right away. Symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see your doctor.

What is Ovarian Cancer?

Women have two ovaries that are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus.

When cancer starts in the ovaries, it is called ovarian cancer. All women are at risk for ovarian cancer, but older women are more likely to get the disease than younger women. About 90% of ovarian cancers occur in women older than 40, and it is most common in women aged 60 or older.

How Many Women Get Ovarian Cancer?

Each year about 20,000 women get ovarian cancer. It is the deadliest of the gynecologic cancers, but it accounts for only about 3% of all cancers in women.

When ovarian cancer is found early, treatment is most effective.

Currently there is no recommended screening test to find ovarian cancer early. The Pap test does not screen for ovarian cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer may cause these signs and symptoms:

•Vaginal bleeding.

•Vaginal discharge that is not normal for you.

•Pain or pressure in the pelvic or abdominal area.

•Back pain.

•Bloating or feeling full quickly while eating.

•Change in bathroom habits, such as having to urinate very often and with more urgency; constipation; or diarrhea.

If you have unusual vaginal bleeding, see a doctor right away. If you have any of the other signs listed above and they last for two weeks or longer, see a doctor. They may be caused by something other than cancer. The only way to know is to see a doctor.

What is Uterine Cancer?

The uterus is a pear-shaped organ that is also called the womb. It is where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant.

Cancer that starts in the uterus is called uterine cancer. The most common type of uterine cancer is endometrial cancer because it forms in the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium.

All women—except those who don’t have a uterus—are at risk for this disease. Risk increases with age. Most of the time, uterine cancer occurs in women who are going through or have gone through menopause.

How Many Women Get Uterine Cancer?

Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer  with about 35,000 women diagnosed each year.

When uterine cancer is found early, treatment is most effective.

There is no recommended screening test to find uterine cancer early. The Pap test does not screen for uterine cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer may cause these signs and symptoms:

•Vaginal discharge that is not normal for you.

bnormal vaginal bleeding – because of how heavy it is or when it happens, such as after you have gone through menopause; between periods; or any other bleeding that is longer or heavier than normal.

•Pain or pressure in your pelvis.

If you have abnormal bleeding, see a health care provider right away. If you have any of the other symptoms listed above and they last for two weeks, or longer, see a health care provider. These symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know is to see a doctor.

What are Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer?

The vagina, also called the birth canal, is the channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body. When cancer starts in the vagina, it is called vaginal cancer.

The vulva is the outer part of the female genital organs. It has two folds of skin, called the labia. When cancer starts in the vulva, it is called vulvar cancer. Vulvar cancer most often occurs on the inner edges of the labia.

How Many Get Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer?

While vaginal and vulvar cancer are very rare, all women are at risk. Each year, approximately 1,000 women  get vaginal cancer, and approximately 3,500 women get vulvar cancer. When these cancers are found early, treatment is most effective.

There is no recommended screening test to find either vaginal or vulvar cancer early. The Pap test does not screen for vaginal or vulvar cancer.

Symptoms of Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer

Most vaginal cancers don’t cause symptoms early on. But if symptoms are present, they may include:

•Vaginal discharge or bleeding that’s not normal for you.

•A change in bathroom habits, such as having blood in the stool or urine; urinating more often than usual; feeling constipated.

•Pelvic or abdominal pain, especially when urinating or having sex.

Vulvar cancer symptoms may include:

•Itching, burning, or bleeding on the vulva or skin changes such being redder or whiter than normal, a rash, warts, lumps, ulcers that don’t go away.

•Pelvic pain, especially when you urinate or have sex.

These things may be caused by something other than cancer. The only way to know is to see a doctor.

Questions for Your Health Care Provider

It may help you to bring a list of questions and to take notes during your visit. Consider asking:

•Am I at risk for getting a gynecologic cancer, such as cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal or vulvar cancer?

•When should I have my next Pap test? How often do I need a Pap test?

•What do my Pap test results mean?

•When can I stop getting a Pap test?

•Is the HPV test right for me?

•Are there other gynecologic cancer tests I need, based on my personal health and family cancer history?

If you’re experiencing any symptoms, make sure to let your doctor know.

•I have noticed [insert any symptom you are experiencing], which is not normal for me. Could this be caused by a gynecologic cancer?

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