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We lead busy lives—we work, spend time with our children or grandchildren, exercise, and even squeeze in date nights with our partners. There are only 24 hours in a day, and sometimes it’s hard to fit in regular health screenings. However, those appointments could catch gynecologic cancers early on—when it’s most treatable.
There are five types of gynecological cancers: cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar. Risk factors for these cancers include contracting HPV, being 60 or older, family history, obesity and past exposure to diethylstilbestrol—a form of estrogen prescribed to pregnant women between 1940 and 1971.
People ages 21 to 29 with a cervix should schedule a Pap test so their doctors can look for any cell changes. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test. Those over 30, based on your provider’s recommendations, can get a Pap test every three years, an HPV test every five years or both every five years.
Unfortunately, screenings only detect cervical cancer, so you should schedule an appointment right away if you notice one or more of these changes:
- A change in bathroom habits, such as constipation, diarrhea, and black or tarry stools, could indicate a more serious condition. However, some cancers can also cause urination changes, such as urinating more frequently, feeling pressure on your bladder, having trouble draining your bladder or seeing blood in your urine. Patients with endometrial, ovarian and vaginal cancers have reported difficult or painful urination, gas, indigestion, nausea, frequent urination and constipation.
- Unexpected weight loss without even trying may seem like a blessing, but it also can be a symptom of cancer. Cancer patients commonly notice that while they feel bloated, they are losing weight. While weight loss can indicate other issues, such as thyroid disease, it’s important to talk to your doctor if you’ve suddenly lost more than 10 pounds without diet or exercise changes—especially when paired with a loss of appetite.
- Vaginal changes also can be a sign that something is amiss. While it’s fairly normal to occasionally experience irregular periods or cramps, persistent pain, watery or abnormal discharge, bleeding between periods, abnormal bleeding and bleeding post-menopause can signify cervical, uterine or ovarian cancer.
Your doctor, can assess your family history of cancer and run diagnostic tests such as blood tests, physical exams, Pap smears, imaging tests and biopsies to determine next steps.
Find a Doctor
Are you experiencing one of these symptoms but don’t have a doctor? No problem! Search our online directory to find a gynecologist or primary care provider.
