Gynecologic Cancer Awareness

Cancer of the cervix
A common kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the tissues that connect the uterus to the vagina (birth canal).

Cancer of the endometrium (uterus)
Known as cancer of the uterine corpus, cancer cells form in the lining of the uterus. It is a highly curable tumor. This type of cancer is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus (see below) which is known as sarcoma of the uterus.

Cancer of the vagina
More often a gynecologic cancer has spread here since primary cancer of the vagina is rare. There are two types of cancer of the vagina: squamous cell cancer (squamous carcinoma) and adenocarcinoma. It is usually diagnosed in elderly women with abnormal bleeding and treated with radiation.

Cancer of the vulva
A rare kind of cancer where cancer cells are found in the outer part of a woman's vagina. Treatment includes surgically removing vulvar lesions and the groin lymph nodes.

Sarcoma of the uterus
A very rare kind of cancer where cancer cells start growing in the muscles or other supporting tissues of the uterus. Its presence is not detectable by a Pap test. Uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs.

Cancer of the fallopian tubes
In this cancer, tumor develops from cells inside the fallopian tubes. Cancer of the fallopian tubes is very rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cancers of the female genital organs.

Cancer of the ovaries
The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for ovarian cancer in the United States are for 2010 are 21,880 new cases of ovarian cancer. There are three types of ovarian cancer: eptithelial(most common), germ cell and stromal cell.

Gestational trophoblastic diseases
GTD can be malignant-cancerous-or benign-not cancerous.

from the University of Michigan Health System

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Sexual history shouldn't guide HPV vaccine

15 common myths about cervical cancer

Separating fact from fiction: Understanding the HPV vaccine

Ovarian cancer: The not-so-silent killer

Women Under Represented in Cancer Research or Watch the YouTube video

National News

National Cancer Institute: Expression of Proteins Linked to Poor Outcome in Women with Ovarian Cancer

MedlinePlus: Studies Suggest New Treatment Paradigms for Ovarian, Prostate Cancers

What are the risk factors and causes for gynecologic cancers?

Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Although certain factors increase a woman's risk for developing gynecologic cancer, they do not always cause the disease.

• Age
  Most gynecologic cancers develop in post-menopausal women (after age 60), though some cancers can strike women at much younger ages.
  
  
• Pharmaceuticals
  Certain fertility drugs that failed to result in pregnancy may increase risk. DES, an estrogen drug (diethylstilbestrol) taken during pregnancy puts daughters at risk for a rare form of cervical and vaginal cancer. Tamoxifen increases risk.
  
  
• Genetics
  If a family history of gynecologic or breast cancer exists, women may consider being tested since those found to carry certain genes known to cause gynecologic cancers are at greater risk.
  
  
• Reproductive history
  Early onset of menstruation (before age 12), having no children or having a first child after age 30, and/or experiencing menopause after age 50 are risk indicators.
  
  
• Nutrition
  A high-fat diet and obesity increase risk for endometrial cancer, especially those with Type I diabetes.
  
  
• Lifestyle
  Sex before age 18, sleeping with numerous partners, or having a partner with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as HIV, or being a smoker all can increase one's gynecologic cancer risk.
  
  
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  Endometrial and ovarian cancer risk is increased with the prolonged use of HRT or estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).

Cervical Cancer
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines:

• Cervical Cancer screening should begin approximately 3 years after the onset of vaginal intercourse.
• Screening should begin no later than 21 years of age.
• After initiation of screening, cervical screening should be performed annually with conventional cervical cytology smears OR ever 2 years using liquid-based cytology; at or after age 30, women who have had 3 consecutive satisfactory negative cytology results may be screened every 2-3 years(unless they have a history of CIN III, in utero DES exposure are HIV+ or are immunocompromised).

There are several tools to help prevent cervical cancer or detect it early:

• Pap tests can find abnormal cells that may turn into cervical cancer. Removal of the abnormal cells prevents cervical cancer. Pap tests can also find cervical cancer early, when the chance of being cured is very high.
  
  
• The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is available for girls and women who are 9 to 26 years old. The HPV vaccine protects against most types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancer.
  
  
• In addition to the Pap test, the HPV test may be used for screening women who are 30 or older, or at any age for those who have unclear Pap test results.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Women wishing to reduce their risk of gynecologic cancers should avoid hormone replacement therapy. This is linked to a higher risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Women with a family history of ovarian cancer may carry a gene that confers a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Women with this gene may choose to have their ovaries removed. They may also choose to take the drugs tamoxifen or raloxifene, which moderate estrogen level. While tamoxifen has been shown to decrease risk of ovarian cancer, it is also linked to a higher risk of endometrial cancer. Your doctor can help you determine what strategies are best for you.

Screening tests are not available for ovarian or endometrial cancers.

Each gynecologic cancer is unique, with different signs and symptoms.

Cervical Cancer: Early on cervical cancer may not cause signs and symptoms. Advanced cervical cancer may cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you, such as bleeding after sex. If you have any of these signs, see your doctor.

Ovarian Cancer:

• Vaginal bleeding (particularly if you are past menopause) or discharge from your vagina that is not normal to you.
• Pain or pressure in the pelvic or abdominal area.
• Back pain.
• Bloating, with is when the area below your stomach swells or feels full.
• Feeling full quickly while eating.
• A change in your bathroom habits, such as having to pass urine very badly or very often, constipation, or diarrhea.

Uterine Cancer:

• Vaginal discharge that is not normal for you.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• Pain or pressure in your pelvis.

Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers:

• Vaginal discharge or bleeding that is not normal for you.
• A change in bathroom habits, such as:
  • having blood in the urine or stool;
  • going to the bathroom more often than usual;
  • or feeling constipated.
• Pain in our pelvis or abdomen, especially when you pass urine or have sex.

Female Reproductive Cancer Clinical Trials - on UMClinicalStudies.org.

ClinicalTrials.gov

Women's Cancer Network-Gynecology Oncology Group Clinical Trials

University of Michgan

• Gynecology Oncology Clinic
• Breast and Ovarian Risk Evaluation Clinic
• Gynecology Oncology Handbook

National Resources

American Cancer Society:

• Cervical Cancer
• Endometrial Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Vaginal Cancer
• Cancer Facts for Lesbians and Bisexual Women

National Cancer Institute, Gynecological Cancers

The Gynecological Cancer Foundation(GCF)

Women's Cancer Network

National Cervical Cancer Coalition

National Comprehensive Cancer Network

HPV Vaccine Information for Young Women