Gynecological Cancers

September is National Gynecological Cancers Awareness Month. We aren't going to list all the symptoms and treatment options for the six types of cancer listed, but there are links provided that will provide more information. There are a number of cancers that fall under the description of "gynecological":

• Cervical - an estimated 12,710 new cases will be diagnosed in 2011. Virtually all cases of cervical cancer (over 99%) are caused by some strain of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The virus also causes some cancers of the vulva, vagina and penis. A vaccine is recommended for females between the ages of 9 and 26 which prevents the most common of the strains of HPV, which account for over 70% of the newly diagnosed cases of cervical cancer. 
• Endometrial (Uterine Corpus) - The National Cancer Institute predicts 46,470 new cases will be diagnosed in 2011, with 8,120 women dying from the disease. It is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system, accounting for approximately 6 percent of all cancers in women in the United States.
• Fallopian Tube - Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube is one of the rarest gynecological cancers. Only about 1,500 to 2,000 cases have ever been reported in the United States. Secondary cancers due to metastasis from the ovaries, endometrium, gastrointestinal tract or breast are more common.
• Gestational Trophoblastic Disease - Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a set of diseases that arise from cells related to pregnancy that become cancerous. Hydatidiform moles occur in about 1 pregnancy out of 1,000 in the United States and Europe. Choriocarcinoma, a malignant form of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), is even less common, affecting approximately 1 pregnancy out of 40,000 in the United States.
• Ovarian - An estimated 21,990 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year. It will account for about 3% of all cancers among women. The good news is that we have seen a 9% decline in the incidence of ovarian cancer since 1992. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecological cancer. For this reason, ongoing research studies and awareness education are still vital.
• Vulvar -Although this type of cancer is rare, the symptoms can be confused with those of sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes. It's important to communicate with your gynecologist if you are concerned about any of the symptoms listed for vulvar cancer since it may take a while for outward signs to develop.

As with all cancers, one of the best things an individual can do to manage their health is to have a good relationship with a physician. Scheduling annual exams, routine screenings according to medical guidelines, and quick attention to anything out of the ordinary are indispensable habits to develop when hoping to catch  problems early and prevent them from becoming a more serious threat to one's health.

In addition to the screenings recommended, family history could indicate a need for closer attention being paid to certain potential issues. Many kinds of cancer have a genetic component, and may necessitate screenings earlier than the recommended age. Family history of illness should be discussed with your physician.