September 11, 2013

September is national gynecologic cancer awareness month. 

It provides an opportunity to take notice of your reproductive organs and take the time to be sure you have been both screened properly by your gynecologist and have reported any new or ongoing symptoms that may be of concern.

Gynecologic cancers include:

• Ovarian
• Uterine
• Cervical
• Vaginal
• Vulvar malignancies

This Week's Focus: Uterine Cancer (Endometrial Cancer)

There are more than 40,000 women diagnosed with endometrial cancer each year.  Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and the eighth most common cause of cancer death in women. 

The most common presentation for uterine cancer is abnormal uterine bleeding with postmenopausal bleeding in particular being the most common symptom at the time of diagnosis.  Most cases are diagnosed in the early stages with 70 percent of patients diagnosed when the disease is confined to the uterus.  In such cases, the prognosis is generally good with a five-year survival of 90 percent to 95 percent without additional treatment beyond surgery.

If you experience any abnormal uterine bleeding, you should seek the advice of an experienced medical professional urgently.