The Importance of Early Diagnosis in Gynecological Cancers

As with many cancers, early diagnosis is important in gynecological cancers. Early diagnosis is achieved through regular gynecological examinations, especially in cancers that do not cause symptoms and progress silently, such as uterine and ovarian cancer, and thus the success of the treatment process increases.

Are all women at risk for gynecological cancers?

Being a woman is a risk factor for gynecological cancers, but it is not correct to say that every woman is at risk. We can say this; Every woman should be aware of this risk and should not disrupt her routine gynecological examinations.

Are all gynecological cancers genetic in origin?

Other than cervical cancer, other gynecological cancers are types of cancer that arise from the physiological state of the person and sometimes familial history is effective. In particular, ovarian and uterine cancers are familial, that is, they occur through genetic transmission and affect subsequent generations in the family. In addition, various factors such as environmental pollution, exposure to various chemicals, metabolic diseases (such as obesity, diabetes), never giving birth and entering puberty at an early age are among the causes of gynecological cancers. Cervical cancer is a type of cancer caused by the HPV virus. Therefore, there is no familial transmission in cervical cancer.

Does every woman who does not give birth get cancer?

Having never given birth is a risk factor for gynecological cancers, but it is not correct to say that every nulliparous woman will get cancer. The risk of ovarian cancer decreases especially in women who use birth control pills regularly. In addition, not smoking and a healthy diet also help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women.

What does menstrual bleeding after menopause indicate?

Post-menopausal bleeding may be a marker for uterine cancer. If bleeding occurs at the end of the 12-month period when menstruation stops, this should bring to mind uterine cancer and a doctor should be consulted. Symptoms such as foul-smelling discharge, persistent vaginal infections in young women, and bleeding during or after intercourse are among the late symptoms of cervical cancer. Therefore, it is possible to make an early diagnosis with annual gynecological examinations.

Who should be vaccinated to protect against cervical cancer?

Anyone from the age of 14 can be vaccinated. Since cervical cancer occurs in women due to the HPV virus, it is very important to vaccinate especially girls.

What is the procedure to follow when diagnosed with gynecological cancer during pregnancy?

Of course, encountering cancer during pregnancy is twice as difficult. If cervical cancer is detected in the early weeks of pregnancy and it is thought that it will progress rapidly, a decision is made to terminate the pregnancy by taking the opinion of the family. However, if the patient is close to birth (after the 32nd week), treatment can be started after the birth of the baby. In special cases, these patients can sometimes switch to chemotherapy while the pregnancy continues.

Is the treatment of gynecological cancers only surgery?

Surgery has a great place especially in cancer treatments. It increases the patient’s survival and reduces the risk of recurrence of the disease. However, today, combined treatments, in which different treatment options are used together and more effective results are obtained, stand out for cancer patients. In the early 1900s, the average survival of ovarian cancer patients was 6 months and most patients died in the surgery setting. However, as of the 2000s, almost all of these patients return home healthy. If the disease recurs after the surgery, patients can easily have a second surgery. Today, surgical treatments have come a long way with the developments in anesthesia and imaging methods over time. Robotic surgery, which has been successfully applied especially in uterine and cervical cancers, allowing the surgeon to see tumors better and make more precise incisions, is one of these developments.

Another development is hot chemotherapy (HIPEC), which is applied in addition to surgery in ovarian cancer and intra-abdominal cancer. In this way, longer survival can be achieved. Many other powerful options such as radiotherapy (especially in uterine and cervical cancers), new smart drugs and immunotherapy are now indispensable for a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatments.