Gynecological Cancers can mainly include ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. These are the cancers that attack the reproductive system of women. These cancers pose a significant threat to women worldwide. However, the good news is early detection and prevention strategies can play an important role in reducing & improving the outcomes of gynecological cancers.
Raising awareness and providing education can help women detect the early signs and get medical help.
In this blog, I Dr.Pankhuri Gautam, the best gynecologist in Jaipur, will help you understand gynecological cancers, how to prevent them, and how to detect them early.
Types of Gynaecological Cancers
There are multiple types of Gynaecological Cancers, which are very common.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer is a cancer that starts in the cervix of a woman. This cancer is caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that spreads through sexual intercourse.
Some of the most common symptoms of Cervical Cancer includes-
- Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
- Pelvic Pain
- Pain During Urination
- Back Pain
- Unusual Vaginal Discharge
Some of the risk factors that make cancer easier to enter the body include-
- Multiple sexual partners
- Smoking
- HPV Infection
- Weak immunity system
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer is caused by the abnormal growth of cells in the ovaries. If these cells grow quickly, they tend to destroy the healthy tissues in the body.
There are multiple types of ovarian cancers-
- Epithelial Cancer is prevalent in women and starts in the epithelial cell (which covers the surface of the ovary).
- Germ cell- This is a sporadic cancer that happens to women at a younger age.
- Stromal Cancer- These rare tumors are usually diagnosed at an earlier stage than other ovarian cancers.
Some of the symptoms include-
- Back Pain
- Fatigue
- Weight Loss
- Abdominal swelling
- Discomfort in the pelvic area
Some of the risk factors include-
- Age
- Family history of cancer
- Reproductive health issues
- Endometriosis
Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer
As the name suggests- this cancer happens in the uterine. This type of cancer begins as a growth of cells in the uterus.
Some of the primary causes that lead to uterine cancer include-
- Obesity
- Hormonal Imbalance- Particularly if the estrogen level, when compared to progesterone, is higher, it can increase the risks of cancer.
- Any menstrual or reproductive health issue can increase the risks of uterine cancer.
- A very common condition, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), can also make your body habitable for cancer.
Some of the common symptoms that can help you detect cancer include-
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pelvic pain
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Abdominal pain
- Unexpected weight loss
Risk factors that make the body easier to be attacked include-
- Age
- Family history of cancer
- Genetic health issues
- Early menopause
Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal cancer is a rare type of cancer that happens due to the unusual growth of cells and tissue in the lining of the vagina. This is mostly detected in older women. There are different types of vaginal cancer-
- Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the thin and flat cell called Squamous cell.
- Adenocarcinoma- which starts in the glandular cells of the vaginal lining.
- Melanoma begins in the pigment-producing cells, or melanocytes.
Some specific risk factors which make vaginal cancer easier to enter the body are-
- History of cervical cancer
- HPV Infection
- Smoking
- Weak immunity system
- Age
Symptoms associated with vaginal cancer-
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- A lump on the vagina
- Constipation
- Painful urination
- Pain in the pelvic area
Importance of Early Detection in Gynaecological Cancers
Early detection of gynaecological cancers can help save lives, as early prognosis can lead to effective treatment. Early detection also helps make the treatment less invasive and increases the chances of survival.
Why does early detection improve prognosis?
- It helps in preventing the spread of cancer.
- Early detection can lead to less aggressive treatment, leading to fewer side effects.
- Chances of surviving and beating the cancer increase if the detection is done at an early stage.
- If detection is done early, better treatment options are available.
Some of the general symptoms to watch for across all gynecological cancers-
- Pain around the pelvic area- This is one of the most common symptoms among all gynecological cancers.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding- raises an alarm that something is not right with the body, which can help you in early detection.
- Pain during sexual intercourse- This can be a symptom of a gynecological issue.
- Changes in urination- If you feel a frequent urge to urine or you are experiencing pain during urination, it can be considered as a symptom.
- Unexplained or sudden weight loss- can be a cause of concern.
Prevention Strategies for Gynaecological Cancers
Some of the prevention strategies for gynecological Cancers are-
Vaccination
- The Human Papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV vaccination, prevents cervical cancer. This vaccination is usually recommended for children between the ages of 9 and 12 and for women over 26 who were not vaccinated earlier.
- The HPV Vaccination can prevent 90% of cervical cancers by protecting the body against HPV, which is commonly associated with the cancer.
Lifestyle Changes
- Simple changes in your lifestyle can help prevent cancer.
- Regular exercise and a healthy weight can contribute to a healthier body and stronger immunity.
- Cancer usually attacks a body with a weaker immunity system, so try to boost your immunity.
Avoiding Risk Factors
- Ensuring safe sex practices and avoiding multiple sexual partners can help prevent gynecological cancer.
- Avoid smoking.
Genetic Counseling and Testing
- Genetic counseling tests such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can help provide insight into the risks of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations- increase the risks of having breast cancer. Women who have these mutations are always at higher risk of getting ovarian and breast cancer.
Screening and Diagnostic Tests for Gynaecological Cancers
Pap Smear and HPV Testing
- The Pap Smear Test involves collecting the cells from the cervix area.
- Doctors recommend repeating Pap testing every three years for women between 21 and 65.
- A Pap smear can also detect changes in your cervical cells that suggest cancer may develop in the future.
Pelvic Exams
Regular pelvic examination helps doctors monitor and evaluate the health of reproductive organs in women.
Through regular pelvic examination-
- Any sign of abnormality can be easier to detect
- Helps monitor reproductive health
- Helps screen for any sign of infection.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
To get a detailed view of the reproductive system, a transvaginal ultrasound is conducted. It is an ultrasound conducted to check for
- Evaluating abnormalities.
- Early pregnancy
- Monitoring any cyst
CA-125 Blood Test
- This test measures the amount of protein CA-125, a cancer antigen, in the blood during and after cancer treatment.
- This test is also conducted to examine any signs of ovarian cancer in people who have a high risk of disease.
Biopsy Procedures
A biopsy is critical for diagnosing any kind of gynecological cancer in women. This usually involves collecting tissue from the body and further examination under a microscope.
There are different kinds of biopsies, such as
- Cervical BiopsyBiopsy- a collection of tissue from the cervix takes place.
- Endometrial BiopsyBiopsy- this is done to investigate any abnormalities in the uterine.
- Ovarian Biopsy- To check for any signs of cancer through the tissue collected from the ovary.
Conclusion
A woman’s gynecological health depends on her understanding and seeking medical help when she experiences anything abnormal. Diagnosis of cancer at an early stage can help women get better treatments that are less invasive and more effective.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which can include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and not smoking, can help women strengthen their immunity, which will help save them from these cancers. Prevention strategies such as HPV Vaccination and genetic counselling can help women prevent any cancer.
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