What a Gynecologist Wants You to Know About Endometrial Cancer

Unfortunately. there is no screening test for endometrial cancer. Dr. Bakkum-Gamez is leading a research team in hopes of developing one. For now,the best way to diagnosis itis a pelvic ultrasound followed by an endometrial biopsy. Pap tests are designed to detectcervical cancer, but sometimes may turn up clues that may make a doctor suspect endometrial cancer and recommend a biopsy. “An endometrial biopsy is not always the most comfortable, but it can be done in the office,” Dr. Bakkum-Gamez says.

“Even one drop of pink discharge is not normal,” Dr. Bakkum-Gamez reiterates. But don’t panic if you do find some blood: Only 5-10 percent ofabnormal bleedingafter menopause is due to cancer. A doctor will likely recommend an endometrial biopsy to rule it out, which is very accurate in detecting endometrial cancer. In other words, do not ignore bleeding; get it evaluated by a health care provider.

Only 3-5 percent of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer have a genetic cause for it, Dr. Bakkum-Gamez says, but it’s critical that these women know their family history.Lynch syndromeis the most common genetic cause, and it’s also associated several other types of cancer, including colon, rectal, stomach, and ovarian. If people in your family have had these cancers, get evaluated by a genetic counselor. If you do have Lynch syndrome, make sure you to tell other blood relatives they may be at risk as well.

Besides family history, other factors are linked with increased chances of developing endometrial cancer. Both obesity and takingtamoxifencan double your risk of endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer may be as much as 4 times more common in women with diabetes. Andpolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)can also raise your risk of endometrial cancer.

如果你被诊断为癌症等优点ced stage, or if you have an aggressive or faster growing cancer, you may be a good candidate for a clinical trial. Some may involve new immunotherapies. Check outclinicaltrials.gov, where all trials are required to be registered. There are even some trials located outside of the U.S.

Dr. Bakkum-Gamez’s study on detecting endometrial cancer is open for women who have abnormal uterine bleeding or Lynch syndrome.Clinical trialshave led to most of the cancer therapies available now, so they play a key role in developing future treatments as well.

Endometrial cancer rates are much lower in premenopausal women, but it does happen — and it doesn’t hurt to know what the symptoms are. They include abnormal uterine bleeding, heavy periods, bleeding in between periods — or any big changes in bleeding, Dr. Bakkum-Gamez says, such as sudden onset of super heavy periods.

“Seeing aspecialistwho treats women who have endometrial cancer on a regular basis is critical to getting individualized care and the most contemporary technology when it comes to treatment,” Dr. Bakkum-Gamez says.

TheCommission on Cancer州,所有有资格获得最低限度的女人invasive hysterectomy should get it. Generally, that’s women with cancer in stages I-III. Among other improved outcomes, this type of robotic surgery shortens hospitalization and recovery time and decreases blood loss. But one review showed thathalf of surgeons were still performing the surgeries through a big incision. Dr. Bakkum-Gamez recommends looking for a place where you can get minimally invasive surgery.