Gynecologic Cancer Prevention
What is Gynecologic Cancer?
Gynecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman's reproductive organs. There are five main types of cancer that affect a woman's reproductive organs. They are cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. A sixth type of gynecologic cancer is the rare fallopian tube cancer.
The five cancers begin in different places within a woman's pelvis, which is the area below the stomach and in between the hip bones. Each gynecologic cancer is unique, with different signs and symptoms, different risk factors, and different prevention strategies.
Risk Factors of Gynecologic Cancer
- Almost all cervical cancer is caused by a persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
- Cervical cancer usually affects women between 30 and 50, but younger women are also at risk.
- Smoking weakens the immune system, which can lead to persistent HPV infection.
- Risk increases with age, especially around menopause.
- Family history of ovarian, fallopian tube, primary peritoneal, or premenopausal breast cancer, or a personal history of premenopausal breast cancer.
- Infertility and not bearing children—pregnancy and using birth control pills decrease risk.
- Family history of both colon and endometrial cancers: a male family member with breast cancer.
- Taking estrogen alone without progesterone.
- Not maintaining a healthy weight.
- Late menopause or menopause after the age of 52.
- Diabetes or high blood glucose—too much sugar in the blood.
- Not bearing children.
- Hypertension or high blood pressure.
- A family history of endometrial or colon cancer.
- Persistent HPV infection.
- Smoking weakens the immune system, which can lead to persistent HPV infection.
- Risk increases with age, especially 60 years and older.
- Lichen sclerosis—a chronic skin condition that causes thin, white patches of skin, usually in the genital area.
- Persistent HPV infection.
- Smoking weakens the immune system, which can lead to persistent HPV infection.
How Can I Decrease My Risk?
HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
- HPV vaccination is recommended for preteens aged 11 to 12 years, but can be given starting at age 9.
- HPV vaccine also is recommended for everyone through age 26 years, if they are not vaccinated already.
- HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults ages 27 through 45 years who are not vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination in this age range provides less benefit, as more people have already been exposed to HPV.
Pap Test
Of all the gynecologic cancers, only cervical cancer has a screening test, the Pap test, that can find this cancer early, when cancer treatment works best. The Pap test also helps prevent cervical cancer by finding precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated.
HPV Test
A test called the HPV test looks for HPV infection. It can be used for screening women aged 30 years and older.
Recognize the Warning Signs
There is no simple and reliable way to screen for any gynecologic cancers except cervical cancer. So it is important to recognize warning signs and learn if there are things you can do to reduce your risk.
Talk With Your Doctor if You Believe You Are at Increased Risk
Learn your family’s health history of breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor may recommend genetic counseling and testing. It is useful for some women who have a family history of these cancers. Talk with your doctor if you think that you have an increased risk for gynecologic cancer. Ask how you can lower your risk and whether there are tests that you should have.
How to Treat Gynecologic Cancer
Gynecologic cancers are treated in several ways. It depends on the type of cancer and how far it has spread. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Women with a gynecologic cancer often get more than one type of treatment.
- Cancer Surgery: Doctors remove cancer tissue in an operation.
- Chemotherapy: Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
- Radiation: Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer.