Written by: Cynne’ Baron

With the month of October drawing to a close, it’s more important now than ever to help people become familiar with identifying the warning signs of women’s cancers. Breast Cancer Awareness month leads to additional attention for other cancers that aren’t always widely recognized like ovarian cancer.  For a long time ovarian cancer has been known as a silent killer because of its tendency to be undetected until far along in the stages of cancer. By examining the types of cancer, we can further understand how they affect our community and the patients with the illness.

Breast Cancer & Its Widespread Reach

As the second most common cancer in women, breast cancer’s notoriety was gained through how many people have discovered it at a later stage, due to the fact that the woman may not feel anything wrong with their breasts even if there is cancer developing. Breast cancer is far more common in women than in men but drawing attention to the signs and preventative measures can reduce the chance of passing because of the undiagnosed illness. Noticing the early symptoms of breast cancer may be the most effective way to stop the cancer from spreading. If changes in the shape or formation of the breast and nipple, a lump or thickening of tissue is felt, inverted nipple or unusual redness, scaling, flaking, or crusting of breast and nipple, then a mammogram may be the best choice to seeing what’s wrong. An annual mammogram after the age 40 is currently the best course of action for early detection in women, although if the patient’s family has a history of breast cancer, it is recommended that the screenings occur much earlier. Doctors estimate that as much as 10 percent of breast cancers can be linked to inherited gene mutations, with the most well-known genes being breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2).

Detecting Ovarian Cancer

Finding ovarian cancer at an early stage with the current medical tools is lacking. In most cases when it is caught, it is spread to the abdomen, pelvis, and is in an advanced state when it is very difficult to treat. At the moment, the techniques being used are not a definite way to find ovarian cancer, but when they are combined, there is a better chance of discovering the disease. One interesting fact about ovarian cancer, is that evidence shows it starts in the Fallopian tubes and then spreads to the ovaries. The methods used are blood tests that detect protein like CA-125 that may be present when a tumor has formed, examinations of rectal and vaginal areas, and a transvaginal ultrasound used to determine if there are abnormalities on the surface of ovaries or cysts within the ovaries themselves. Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation are at high risk for developing ovarian cancer. One was to prevent ovarian cancer is the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes. As breakthroughs in science and medicine are becoming more frequent, there is hope to discover a definite way to identify ovarian cancer early.

Recognizing Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is cancer that takes place in the innermost lining of the uterus and has new cases rising in both black and white women. Endometrial cancer is found earlier than other cancers because it causes symptoms, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding. Methods like a pap test, endometrial biopsy, and transvaginal ultrasound are commonly used because other methods are still in the clinical trial stage. It is recommended that people with a history of problems should talk to their doctor about having a yearly endometrial biopsy.

Cervical Cancer

‘Cervical cancer may not cause any symptoms at first. Later, you may have pelvic pain or bleeding from the vagina. It usually takes several years for normal cells in the cervix to turn into cancer cells.’ Human Papilloma virus (HPV) infection cause most cervical cancers. Vaccination against HPV and regular screening for cervical cancer using Pap tests reduces the mortality of cervix cancer by at least 80 percent, so receiving a test every three years after the age of 21 is recommended.

For more information, please visit:

• https://umiamihealth.org/en/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center/treatments-and-services/gynecologic-cancers

• https://umiamihealth.org/en/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center/treatments-and-services/breast-cancer

• https://www.cancer.org/

• https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic/index.htmhttps://www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic/index.htm

About the author: Cynne’ Baron is a freshman at Olathe North High School. She is in the 21^st Century Academics Medical Professions Program. Cynne’ aspires to be a General Surgeon.

Sources:

“Cervical Cancer | HPV | Human Papillomavirus.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Oct. 2020, medlineplus.gov/cervicalcancer.html.

“Endometrial Cancer Screening (PDQ®)–Patient Version.” National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov/types/uterine/patient/endometrial-screening-pdq.

“Cancer Screening Guidelines: Detecting Cancer Early.” American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/cancer-screening-guidelines/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html.

“Endometrial Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Patient Version.” National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov/types/uterine/patient/endometrial-prevention-pdq.

“What Is a Mammogram?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 Sept. 2020, www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/mammograms.htm.

“Ovarian Cancer.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 25 July 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20375941.

“Symptoms & Detection of Ovarian Cancer.” OCRA, ocrahope.org/patients/about-ovarian-cancer/symptoms-and-detection/.

“How Does Breast Cancer Form?: What Causes Breast Cancer?” American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/how-does-breast-cancer-form.html.

“Breast Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Patient Version.” National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-prevention-pdq.