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Article Category: Highlights

Lower Your Risk & Recognize Signs of Gynecological Cancer

Published on September 27, 2021

Last updated 08:28 AM August 24, 2023

Woman stretching on the floor with a set of dumbbells and hand weights.

In recent years, most cervical cancers have become completely preventable with a vaccine, and there are screening tests to identify it early. However, it’s important for women to understand the warning signs of gynecological cancers that don’t have screening tests, such as:

  • Endometrial (uterine) cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Vaginal cancer
  • Vulvar cancer
  • Other rare types

Lower your risk for gynecological cancer

At your annual women’s health appointment, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about your family history and lifestyle choices that can make a positive impact on your health. Here are some ideas to consider lowering your risk for different types of gynecological cancer:

  • Share your family history with your healthcare provider. Only about 5 to 10% of gynecological cancers are genetic, according to Wellstar Gynecologic Oncologist Dr. Amy Carroll. However, some patients may benefit from genetic risk assessment, which looks for hereditary gene mutations that increase an individual’s risk for ovarian cancer.
  • Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. Women who are overweight have a higher risk of being diagnosed with the most common type of endometrial (uterine) cancer– and for the cancer to return after treatment. This is a challenge for many people and your health providers want you to feel empowered–not embarrassed–to discuss your BMI, nutrition, weight reduction and wellness.
  • Stay tobacco-free or quit tobacco. Again, many health providers can help women with education and resources to quit smoking or vaping for the long haul. Quitting tobacco can reduce your risk for some gynecological cancers and many other health conditions.

Watch for changes in your body & talk to your doctor

Because there are no screening tests for gynecological cancers other than cervical cancer, it is important for women to be educated on the signs and symptoms—and to act on them.

“Unfortunately, there are many vague symptoms associated with a lot of gynecologic issues,” Dr. Carroll said. “Typically, I tell people if you have any symptom that doesn’t come and go but persists for a couple weeks or more, it’s worthwhile to talk to somebody about it.”

Dr. Carroll said that one symptom patients should always discuss with their provider is post-menopausal bleeding. Also, while most people experience occasional bloating, persistent bloating can be a sign of ovarian cancer and should be discussed with a provider, she said.

Signs & symptoms of gynecological cancer

Some gynecological symptoms to discuss with your doctor include:

  • Vaginal bleeding after menopause
  • Excessively heavy menstrual cycles
  • Abnormal bleeding between periods
  • Unexplained pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating or nausea
  • Discharge or pain with intercourse
  • Severe change in bowel or bladder habits
  • A heavy feeling in the pelvis
  • A sore or lump in your vulva

The highest level of treatment for gynecological cancer

The physicians and healthcare teams at Wellstar are focused on keeping women healthy and preventing and lowering the risk of cancer and other health conditions. However, when a woman does get gynecological cancer, she has access to a team of experienced and knowledgeable gynecological cancer experts close to home.

Our gynecologic cancer care program includes:

  • A gynecological cancer-specific multidisciplinary tumor conference where gynecological oncologists, radiation and pathologists meet to diagnose and plan treatment.
  • Gynecologic cancer surgeons who perform procedures robotically, laparoscopically or as open procedures, based on evidence-based practices that lead to the best outcomes.
  • A robust support network that includes cancer-specific nutritional counseling, genetic counseling, nurse navigation, psychological counseling and more.
Wellstar Research Institute and Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers work closely with select local and national partners to give patients access to the latest clinical trials without leaving their communities.

Most health plans cover preventative care services—like vaccines and screening tests—at no additional cost. For people without insurance, Wellstar practices have low-cost annual exams that include evaluation for cervical cancer and a Pap test if it is medically appropriate. To find a physician, call (770) 956-STAR (7827) or schedule online by clicking the “Book Now” button at the top of any page.

Learn more about gynecological cancer

Take control of your health and learn easy ways to prevent and screen for cervical cancer.

If you have any symptom that doesn’t come and go but persists for a couple weeks or more, it’s worthwhile to talk to somebody about it.

- Dr. Amy Carroll

Wellstar Gynecologic Oncologist

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Amy Rae Carroll Cancer Care Womens Health
Primary Care
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Highlights

Wellstar Primary Care Providers: Partners in Your Care

Are you getting the most out of your healthcare experience? If you don’t have an established Wellstar primary care provider (PCP), you could be missing out on some major benefits.

Some people visit a different provider each time they need a check-up or just whenever they feel sick. Similarly, many patients use the walk-in convenience of urgent care as a substitute for primary care. However, in both of these cases, it can be difficult for you to build a lasting health partnership and leave your care feeling incomplete.

Having a designated Wellstar primary care provider—and specialty medicine providers within the same health system—gives you an entire team of health experts that are invested in you and your well-being.

Benefits of a primary care provider

The main role of a primary care provider is to keep you healthy at every age and stage of life. To keep you feeling your best, these experts are trained to:

  • Get to know and understand your unique health needs. Your PCP can keep you on track with your individual wellness goals, whether you are planning to start a family, need help managing a chronic illness or maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Coordinate care and provide referrals for specialists. Your PCP can quickly and seamlessly get you in touch with the robust network of medical experts, such as cardiologists, oncologists, neurologists and more at Wellstar.
  • Keep you up-to-date on immunizations and vaccinations. You can build up your body’s immunity to common diseases and protect your health with the latest vaccines, all ordered by your PCP.
  • Order appropriate health screenings, diagnostic tests and follow-up care. If your wellness check-up reveals certain risk factors, chronic conditions or new diagnoses, your PCP can help you get the right treatment fast.
  • Treat you for acute illnesses, such as colds or the flu. When you feel under the weather, your established PCP can often get you an appointment sooner so you can feel better.

Continuing care for every stage of life

As you get older, your healthcare needs will change. That’s why many people keep the same Wellstar primary care provider for years, even decades.

Your provider can help you stay ahead of health issues and deliver tailored care for your unique needs, as they change over time. These experts are your first defense against many preventable diseases and can catch major illnesses earlier, so you have the best possible outcome.

Ready to find the right Wellstar primary care provider for you? We make it easy to get expert, comprehensive primary care at many convenient locations across metro Atlanta and West Georgia. To find a location near you, simply click “Book Now” at the top of any page.

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Illustration of a yellow present wrapped with a purple bow with a gift tag reading "To: Me, From: Me."

Highlights

Give Yourself the Gift of Health

Between cookie baking, busy shopping trips and being with family, the holiday season can pass by in a blur. Through all the hustle and bustle, Wellstar health experts warn it can be all too easy to put off your wellness.

“During this hectic time of year, health may be the last thing on your mind. However, the best present you can give yourself is prioritizing your well-being,” said Dr. Umme Nur, internal medicine physician with Wellstar.

“Seeing your provider now can help you stay on track this season,” Dr. Nur explained. “It can also help you jumpstart your health goals in January and already have a care plan tailored to your needs.”

Start healthy habits

It’s easy to let your normal routines slip during this time of year. However, you can take small steps to stay on track every day.

  • Eat right. It’s okay to indulge in holiday treats, but try to keep your main meals balanced with fruits and veggies.
  • Don’t forget about fitness. Create a routine and stick to your exercise goals, even if it’s just a 30-minute stroll.
  • Catch some Z’s. Maintain an adequate sleep regimen to help your body rest, feel refreshed and ready for the day.

Check in on your well-being

Remember, the perfect gift isn’t something wrapped with a bow—it’s putting your health first. That means partnering with a Wellstar primary care provider (PCP) and scheduling a wellness exam.

Your provider will help you take charge of your health and create a personalized plan just for you. Because your PCP is a pro at preventative care, they’ll help keep you ahead of potential medical problems.

After your annual check-up, you’ll know your stats for:

  • Blood pressure. Taken with a simple arm cuff, a blood pressure test helps diagnose hypertension (high blood pressure), hypotension (low blood pressure), heart disease and other conditions.
  • Blood glucose level. The amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood can indicate the onset of diabetes and an increased risk for heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
  • Blood cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad” cholesterol, can indicate clogged arteries, which may lead to heart disease, heart attack or stroke.
  • Body mass index (BMI). The BMI estimates human body fat, which may indicate an increased risk for heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes.

At your exam, be sure to bring up any health goals, such as weight loss or managing a chronic condition. Your provider will work with you to create a custom treatment plan for your unique needs.

Know your family history & take action

Depending on your gender, age and family history, your provider may also recommend other preventative tests to screen for diseases before they start, such as a mammogram or colonoscopy.

Your provider can also help you understand your potential health risks with:

  • Know Your Heart screenings. Preventative heart screenings help determine your risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions.
  • Genetic risk assessment. Genetic testing is a tool to help people determine their hereditary risk of cancer and heart problems. This program also helps couples and expecting mothers with prenatal or preconception concerns.

Learn more about how having an established primary care provider can keep you well.

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A friendly image of Kathy

PeopleCare

KathyCare

Kathy DeJoseph delights in making and giving away thousands of soft and cheerful hats to Wellstar cancer patients through a nonprofit she founded called Happy Caps. It’s all in the name of bringing a little light and comfort to people during a hard time.

Where did the idea come from? It started with Kathy’s own lung cancer diagnosis.

A commitment to yearly lung cancer screening

A cancer survivor for more than a decade, Kathy said regular lung cancer screenings were the key to her survival. With a long history of smoking and growing up around relatives who smoked, she decided to join an early detection lung cancer study at Wellstar.

Even though she felt fine and had no symptoms, committing to the study meant having an annual low-dose CT scan every year. After several years of clean scans with no signs of lung cancer, Kathy told a nurse that she was going to quit. But the nurse persuaded her to come in for another screening.

“Thank goodness she did,” Kathy said. “I was diagnosed the very next day.”

Quick and efficient treatment at the STAT Clinic

Being a part of the study and getting screened early allowed Kathy to move immediately to Wellstar Lung Cancer STAT Clinic at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center.

STAT stands for Specialty Teams and Treatment, highlighting the collaboration of multiple cancer experts. Together, they come to a consensus on a treatment plan and meet with the patient on the same day. This puts the patients at the center of their care plan, allowing them and their families to get immediate answers to questions, make decisions and start treatment faster.

“The biggest benefit for me with the way the STAT Clinic works is that I didn’t have to worry about whether the doctors had actually talked to each other,” Kathy said. “They’d come in one after another and tell me what they thought from their expertise.”

Immediate communication and mutual agreement among medical experts mean treatment plans are established and started faster, which is proven to improve long-term survival. On average, it takes 60 to 90 days from the time of diagnosis to treatment in the U.S. With the STAT Clinic at Wellstar, patients go from diagnosis to treatment in 14 to 20 days.

Kathy’s treatment started quickly—she had a lung biopsy the day after her STAT Clinic appointment and started chemotherapy a week later.

“I wasn’t as terrified for as long as most people are because I had answers within a short period of time,” Kathy remembered.

She had surgery once she completed chemotherapy. Throughout the process, she had the support of an entire cancer team, including a medical oncologist, a lung cancer surgeon, a pulmonologist and a nurse navigator.

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