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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.
Testimonials
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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...
Vulvar Cancer Prevention
The best way to prevent vulvar cancer is to avoid sexual behaviors that put you most at risk, namely exposure to sexually transmitted diseases like HPV and HIV. This includes not having sex when you are young, not having multiple partners and not having sex with someone else who’s had multiple partners. While condoms may reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, they can’t fully protect against HPV. Obviously, abstinence is the surest way to reduce the risk of getting vulvar cancer. However, not all vulvar cancers are related to HPV or sexual exposure, especially in older women.
A vaccine that guards against some forms of HPV have proven effective in preventing vulvar cancer in addition to cervical and vaginal cancers. Currently, women under the age of 27 are encouraged to get this vaccine and its use with young men is also being studied.
Avoiding tobacco use can also reduce your risk of contracting vulvar cancer.
One of the best ways to prevent vulvar cancer is to be aware of its symptoms and have an annual gynecologic exam with your gynecologist. When this form of cancer is detected early, cure is expected in most cases.