Gynecologic Cancer Awareness: What Every Woman Should Know

Gynecologic cancer is a unique form of cancer with wide-reaching challenges.

“Any of a woman’s reproductive organs can develop cancer or pre-cancer,” says Dr. Eloise Chapman-Davis, gynecologic oncologist and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Like other cancers, these diagnoses affect women, but they also affect their family and their fertility.”

What Is Gynecologic Cancer?

Gynecologic cancer starts in a woman’s reproductive organs. The five main types are:

• Cervical cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Uterine (endometrial) cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Vulvar cancer

Another lesser-known form of gynecologic cancer affects the fallopian tubes. This type is extremely rare, but many experts now believe that some ovarian cancers, especially high-grade carcinomas, can start in the fallopian tubes.

Know the Warning Signs

It’s not always obvious when gynecologic cancer develops, as you may not experience symptoms early on. When symptoms arise, they may include:

• Abdominal or back pain
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Feeling full more quickly than normal
• Increased need to urinate
• Pelvic pain or pressure

Symptoms to Bring to Your Doctor’s Attention

You don’t always need to report potential symptoms. For example, bloating and constipation may be caused by diet choices.

However, you should tell your doctor about abnormal bleeding, especially after menopause. You should also discuss any new or worsening symptoms.

Understand Your Risk Factors

Your risk for gynecologic cancer generally increases with:

• Age. Uterine and ovarian cancer are more common after age 50, which is the average age of diagnosis for cervical cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states almost everyone gets infected with HPV, a leading cause of cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers. However, HPV infection won’t cause problems for most people, as the risk of developing cancer depends on the specific type of HPV, with low-risk types rarely leading to cancer.
• Family history. Your likelihood of ovarian and uterine cancer can increase if a close family member (mother, sister, grandmother, etc.) had the disease.

Screening and Prevention

Currently, cervical cancer is the only gynecologic cancer with reliable tests. Your women’s health provider may recommend an HPV test, a Pap test or both. You can get further protection by combining screening with an HPV vaccine.

“The goal is to get the vaccine before you’re exposed to the virus,” Dr. Chapman-Davis says. “That’s why we push for vaccination in 11- to 12-year-old boys and girls.”

Because there’s no reliable screening test for ovarian, uterine, vaginal or vulvar cancers, diagnosis often takes place after symptoms start.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

Tell your doctor immediately if you:

• Develop any symptom lasting two weeks or longer
• Experience postmenopausal bleeding
• Listen to the Weill Cornell podcast to learn more about cervical and other gynecologic cancers.

In Conclusion: The Facts About Gynecologic Cancer

Gynecologic cancers can affect a woman’s cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina or vulva.

• Abnormal bleeding, back pain and bloating may indicate cancer. Always tell your doctor about symptoms that continue for two weeks or longer.
• Aging, HPV infection and a family history of cancer may increase your odds of developing gynecologic cancer.
• Cervical cancer is the only gynecologic cancer with reliable screening tests and one of the only cancers with an effective vaccine.

Want help managing your gynecologic health? Find a doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine today.