DOHA: Although women are at risk of gynaecologic cancers and that increases with age, they can lower it for certain cancers through human papilloma virus vaccine and screening, says an expert.
Due to the rise in the incidence of gynaecologic cancers throughout the world, women are advised to take charge of their health by checking their body for unusual signs and symptoms of cancers, including uterine cancer. With early detection, gynaecologic cancers are often treatable.
Gynaecologic cancers are the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells originating in the reproductive organs, including the cervix, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina and vulva.
Uterine cancer, also called endometrial cancer because it forms in the lining of the uterus called endometrium, is the fourth most common cancer in women in the US and the most commonly diagnosed gynaecologic cancer.
“When cancer starts in the uterus, it is called uterine cancer. The uterus is the pear-shaped organ in a pelvis (the area below the stomach and in between hip bones). The uterus, also called the womb, is where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant,” said Dr Jonathan Herod, Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist, Women’s Hospital.
He said there is no way to know for sure if a woman will get uterine cancer. “Some women get it without being at high risk.”
However, he said several factors may increase the chance of getting uterine cancer, including, being older than 50 and obese, taking estrogen (without progesterone) for hormone replacement during menopause, having had trouble getting pregnant, or fewer than five periods in a year before starting menopause, taking tamoxifen, a drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer and having close family members who have had uterine, colon or ovarian cancer.
“Uterine cancer may cause discharge or bleeding not normal for you. Bleeding may be abnormal 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 is normal. Uterine cancer may also cause other symptoms, such as pain or pressure in the pelvis,” said Dr Herod.
Uterine cancer treatment depends on the kind of cancer and how far it has spread. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and/or radiation.
He advised women showing signs and symptoms of uterine cancer, particularly vaginal bleeding after menopause, to seek prompt help from their physicians.
Under a new cancer strategy policy in HMC, a well-established cancer patient pathway ensures that all suspicious cases are referred, within 48 hours, to cancer clinics in either Women’s Hospital or National Centre for Cancer Care and Research.
The Peninsula
