Gynecologic Cancer Awareness: Prevention is Protection

Prevention is protection, and informed patients make the best health decisions. As we head into fall, this is an excellent time to prioritize your reproductive health and ensure you’re staying current with preventive care. At Legacy Community Health, we believe that prevention is protection, and informed patients make the best health decisions.

Many women struggle to prioritize their health due to demanding schedules and life responsibilities. As Dr. Cynthia Roland, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist at Legacy Central Stagg, notes: “Many women face challenges in prioritizing their health due to demanding work schedules, household responsibilities, and caregiving roles. When caring for my patients, I emphasize the importance of making their own health a priority, especially when it comes to preventive care and ongoing health maintenance.”

Understanding the Five Gynecologic Cancers

According to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, every five minutes someone receives a diagnosis of one of these five cancers:

• Cervical cancer typically affects women between 35 and 44, though screening begins much earlier.
• Uterine cancer (also called endometrial cancer) primarily occurs after menopause and develops in the uterine lining.
• Ovarian cancer involves abnormal cell growth in the ovaries and occurs more frequently in older women.
• Vaginal cancer is uncommon and typically develops in women over 60.
• Vulvar cancer affects the external genital area and accounts for approximately 6% of reproductive cancers.

The Role of Annual Well-Woman Exams

The Legacy OB/GYN team emphasizes that regular health care visits are fundamental to maintaining good health. The well-woman exam provides an opportunity to discuss reproductive health concerns with your health care provider.

Components of Your Annual Visit

A comprehensive well-woman exam typically includes:

• Breast and pelvic examinations
• Pap testing (based on current guidelines and your age)
• Discussion of reproductive health topics and individual concerns
• Review of family planning options and other relevant health matters

Evidence-Based Screening Guidelines

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) provides these recommendations:

Ages 13 to 15: Initial gynecologic consultation

Ages 21 to 29: Annual pelvic examination with Pap testing every three years

Ages 30 to 64: Annual pelvic examination with Pap testing every three to five years, depending on individual risk factors

Patients with a history of abnormal results may require more frequent monitoring as determined by their health care provider.

The Importance of Early Detection

Regular Pap testing and HPV screening can identify cellular changes before they progress to cancer. This early intervention significantly improves treatment outcomes and reduces the need for more invasive procedures.

“At Legacy Community Health, we’re committed to bringing prevention services to all communities,”. Dr. Roland says. “Legacy excels in patient education and whole-person care. Often, when patients come in for one concern, we proactively schedule follow-up visits to address and close important care gaps.”

Legacy provides cervical and breast cancer screenings as well as assesses risk for ovarian and uterine cancers through symptoms, physical exams, and family history evaluations.

In addition, Legacy now offers genetic screening based on a patient’s personal or family history of certain cancers. This saliva or blood test helps assess risk for certain uterine, ovarian, and breast cancers, providing valuable insight into your individual cancer risk profile.

This helps clinicians like Dr. Roland and the Legacy team identify which patients might benefit from closer monitoring or personalized prevention plans.

Recognizing Important Symptoms

Gynecologic oncologists are physicians with specialized training in treating cancers of the female reproductive system. When cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, or vulvar cancer is suspected or confirmed, care from these specialists is recommended.

Certain symptoms warrant medical evaluation, particularly when they don’t go away:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Abdominal bloating or early satiety
• Changes in urinary or bowel patterns
• Unexplained weight changes

While these symptoms can have various causes, persistent changes should be discussed with your health care provider.

Make Your Health a Priority

This fall, consider scheduling your annual well-woman exam at Legacy Community Health if you’re due for one. Take some time to learn about the warning signs we’ve discussed, and share what you’ve learned with other women in your life. Staying current with your screening schedule based on your age and health history is one of the most effective ways to protect your health.

While nutrition and physical activity are well-recognized components of healthy living, preventive health care visits are equally important. Regular examinations allow for early detection and intervention when conditions are most treatable.

When we work together and catch things early, you get the best possible outcomes.