Most Common Types of Gynecologic Cancers

• Endometrial/Uterine is the most common GYN cancer. The primary symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal bleeding.
  
• Ovarian cancer is the second most common GYN cancer. Since there are no effective screening tests, one must be aware of the earliest symptoms of ovarian cancer.
  
• Cervical cancer has been steadily decreasing in incidence with the increased prevalence of pap smear screening. We encourage you to get an annual pap smear.
  

Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Recent studies have shown that most women with ovarian cancer have had some or all of the following symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Urinary urgency or frequency
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

The key is whether that is change from normal for your body.

Other symptoms can include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, and menstrual irregularity.

Because the signs and symptoms of GYN cancers may also be associated with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, it is important that your physician take seriously the possibility that ovarian cancer may be present, especially if you have a family or personal history of ovarian, breast, or colon cancer, and have never borne children.

If you should have these symptoms, please see your gynecologist, who can follow-up with some diagnostic tests - CA125, transvaginal ultrasound, and pelvic exam. If these results indicate the possibility of ovarian cancer, ask - no, insist - to be referred to a gyn oncologist.