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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
Uterine Cancer Facts
Causes of Uterine Cancer
Researchers throughout the world continue to study the cause of uterine cancer, but why it strikes some women and not others is still a mystery.
However, researchers have been able to identify risk factors that are more common in women who have uterine cancer. That’s not to say that all women who have one or more of these risks will get uterine cancer. It just means that they have a greater risk than women who have none of the factors.
Age: Both forms of uterine cancer, endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma, occurs most commonly in women who are over 50.
Estrogen replacement therapy. If you have used estrogen replacement therapy during menopause, to prevent osteoporosis or reduce the risk of heart disease, you could be at an increased risk of contracting uterine cancer. The longer the treatment, the greater the risk.
Being overweight. Overweight women are twice as likely to develop cancer of the uterus than women who are not. Scientists believe fat converts certain forms other hormones into estrogen, increasing its levels in the body.
Diabetes and high blood pressure. There is a correlation between this and uterine cancer, but researchers have been unable to determine yet whether the increased risk is due to these factors or being overweight.
Other cancers. If you have other cancers, you run a greater risk of having uterine cancer.
Taxmoifen. Taking this drug to treat breast can increase the risk of developing uterine cancer. It’s believed that the estrogen-like effect affects the uterus.
Race: White women have a greater chance of developing uterine cancer than African American. In addition, Caucasian women are more likely to have endometrial cancer while African American women are more likely to be diagnosed with uterine sarcoma.
Women who have one or more of these risk factors should let their doctor know about them. This will allow your doctor to monitor your health and look for additional signs of uterine cancer. Early detection and treatment is essential to improving survivability.