Why Some Gynecologic Cancers Are On the Rise
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Lung cancer kills more women than any other cancer so you know not to smoke or to quit, if you do smoke. For colon cancer, screening -- usually beginning at age 50 -- can make a huge difference. For breast cancer, it’s typically self-exams and mammograms that lead to early detection. But what about gynecologic cancers like ovarian and endometrial cancer?
For ovarian cancer, researchers are working hard on tests and markers that can detect the cancer early when it is much more treatable. They have a ways to go. But endometrial cancer is much more common and it is treatable -- unfortunately it’s also on the rise.
Why? Because American women, like the population as a whole, are gaining weight. Fat cells in women store estrogen which can fuel endometrial cancer just like it does some breast cancers. While you may think fat cells just sit there and expand your waistline, they actually do more harm than that!
Endometrial cancer used to require surgery with large incisions and recovery over many weeks. Fortunately, that’s not the case now in some cities. Leading gynecologic oncologists are becoming proficient in the use of “the robot” to cut out the cancer in a much more minimally invasive way. There’s less blood loss, less trauma to the body and a much quicker recovery.
It amazed Rosemary Moothart, a Seattle business executive whose unexpected vaginal bleeding led to a diagnosis of endometrial cancer. She saw great benefit in the new, robotic approach and said she was back at work less than a week after her surgery.
Her doctor was Barbara Goff, M.D. from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance who specializes in gynecologic oncology including complex gynecologic surgery and clinical trials for gynecologic malignancies. You can hear from both women and learn more about the changing landscape in gynecologic cancer treatment in my new interview on Patient Power, Robotic Surgery for Gynecologic Cancers, found at http://goo.gl/Qyslm
No matter what, as you work hard to have optimal weight, remember, you are not only lowering your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke, you are also reducing your risk for some cancers.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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