Gynecological cancers (endometrium, uterus, vagina, etc.) share symptoms in common: pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or even abdominal discomfort.
- The month of September is dedicated to the prevention of gynecological cancers: cancer of the endometrium, cervix, vagina, ovary and even tubes.
- They share certain symptoms: pelvic pain, swollen stomach, abnormal bleeding, etc.
- Not everyone is affected by widespread screening.
Before pink October, there is turquoise September. This month is dedicated to raising awareness of gynecological cancers. In particular, it allows us to talk about symptoms, screening and gynecological follow-up in general. According to data from theNational Cancer Institutethey affect 17,000 women in France each year.
Gynecological cancers: what are we talking about?
The term refers to all cancers that affect the female genital tract. “Cancers of the endometrium (body of the uterus), cervix, ovary and tubes are the main locations of gynecological cancers, specifies theCurie Institute. Cancers of the vulva and vagina are much rarer.” Endometrial cancer is the most common among these different gynecological diseases. According to theAPHPmore than 6,300 cases are diagnosed in France each year.
What are the symptoms of gynecological cancer?
Whatever the type of cancer, the earlier they are diagnosed, the easier it is to treat them and therefore survive. To do this, it is important to know how to spot the symptoms. “Certain particular signs such as the occurrence of abnormal bleeding (outside menstruation, in a postmenopausal woman), the presence of abdominal discomfort, pelvic pain and/or an increase in abdominal volume, may suggest gynecological cancer and should lead to the patients to consult their doctorwarnsAPHP.
In the case of endometrial cancer, some women also suffer from leukorrhea, white discharge, fever or even urinary infections. Vaginal cancer can also manifest as pain during sexual intercourse, like cancer of the tubes or that of the vulva. The latter is generally associated with itching, changes in the appearance of the skin at the genital level and urinary pain. As for ovarian cancer, it can cause digestive symptoms, such as bloating, nausea or loss of appetite. “In a certain number of cases, gynecological cancers progress quietly, without any particular clinical sign and as a result, they are diagnosed at a late stage of the disease.adds theAPHP.
Gynecological cancers: how to diagnose them?
To establish a diagnosis, the healthcare professional carries out a questioning, to find out the symptoms and history, a clinical examination and the analysis of tissue samples, called a biopsy. “It is most often necessary to carry out additional examinations: blood tests, abdominal-pelvic ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, PET, colposcopy, hysteroscopy or exploratory laparoscopy.warns the institute Gustave Roussy. Sometimes there is widespread screening, such as for cervical cancer: smears help detect cancer at an early stage. But this is not the case for all these pathologies, theAPHP reminds that it does not exist “simple examination which is carried out systematically, allows the detection of endometrial cancers and ovarian cancers..
