Article Category: Highlights

Lower Your Risk & Recognize Signs of Gynecological Cancer

Published on September 27, 2021

Last updated 04:06 PM September 27, 2021

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 which 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. Women with a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or other specific cancer types may benefit from a CA 125 test, which can find early signs of ovarian cancer, or 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.

Our care is empathetic, and we make recommendations based on science and published literature to do what’s best for the patient.

- Dr. Jeffrey Hines

Chief of the Division of Wellstar Gynecologic Oncology

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.

“A woman is her best ally and advocate,” said Dr. Jeffrey Hines, Chief of the Division of Wellstar Gynecologic Oncology.

He encourages every woman to be on alert for changes in her body and to put them on the radar of her healthcare provider.

“What is a tragedy to those of us in the field is when we hear the stories of women with advanced gynecological cancer who gained weight after menopause and didn’t discuss it with their provider,” he 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

Many signs of gynecological cancer could also be signs of other ailments. If they persist, Dr. Hines stresses the importance of bringing these symptoms to your health provider’s attention for evaluation.

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 care is empathetic, and we make recommendations based on science and published literature to do what’s best for the patient,” Dr. Hines said.

He also noted that women with gynecological cancer who choose Wellstar for their care benefit from:

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.
Ability to be enrolled in clinical trials close to home through Wellstar’s participation in the Mayo Clinic NRG Cancer Network.

He also encourages women who have financial barriers to ask for help.

“If financial resources are needed, we can plug them into people who can help them with that,” Dr. Hines said.

Most health plans cover preventative care services — like vaccines and screening tests — at no additional cost. For people without insurance, Wellstar Medical Group 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. You can also learn about how the pandemic and health inequities affect women’s care — and what to do about it.