• Even with an annual Pap smear test and the new vaccination for young women, cervical cancer can’t be totally prevented. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing cancer of the cervix.

  • Vaginal cancer is a relatively rare disorder, comprising about 2% to 3% of all gynecologic cancers. Approximately 2,400 women are diagnosed each year with vaginal cancer in the United States.

  • The chance of getting ovarian cancer increases as a woman gets older. Ovarian cancer occurs in women over the age of 50 and the highest risk is in women over 60.

  • Uterine cancer is the most common of all cancers in the female reproductive system. It can either form in the inner lining of the uterus or the outer layer of muscle tissue.

  • Thought to be caused by a problem with the genetic information transmitted between an egg and sperm, molar pregnancy can develop during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Testimonials

  • When Jan Holsclaw found out she had ovarian cancer, she was referred to Dr. Bigsby at Florida Hospital Cancer Institute for surgery and treatment. With reassuring words and...

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    TV Personality Jan C. Garavaglia, M.D., (aka "Dr. G") is the chief medical examiner for the District Nine (Orange-Osceola) Medical Examiner's Office in Florida.  When she...
  • Bonnie has helped to raise millions of dollars for ovarian cancer research taking place at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Department of Defense (DOD), Centers for Disease...

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy has been a proven treatment technique for cancer for many years. The radiation is designed to attack cancer cells as they are dividing. Unfortunately, they can also damage normal cells as well, causing side effects. Doctors must strike a balance between killing the cancer cells while sparing as many normal cells as possible.

Radiation therapy is a local treatment for cancer as only the cancerous cells and the surrounding cells are affected. It is not as effective against cancer that has spread in the body, since it is designed to be a very focused and specific therapy.

Radiation therapy is best for curing or shrinking cancer in its early stages and stopping cancer from recurring. If the goal is to cure or shrink the cancer, it may be used as a preoperative or postoperative treatment, depending on the cancer. Radiation therapy can also be used to treat symptoms of advanced cancer, reducing pain, improving the ability to swallow or breathe, or manage bowel problems associated with more advanced stages of cancer.

Different forms of radiation are used, depending on the type of cancer. Options include ionization radiation, radio waves, microwaves and light waves.