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.

HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR PATIENTS

Just click on underlined words to take you to the website!

Websites for you to communicate your status and needs...and for folks to get back with you:

Caring Bridge – You post updates on the journal and people can leave you messages on the guestbook. This is pretty easy for a computer novice to use. You just give people your Caring Bridge address. www.caringbridge.org

Take Them A Meal – This website helps with coordination of meals that people might want to bring you. www.takethemameal.com

Lots-a-helping-hands – Multi-purpose website that lets the patient post updates, people leave messages, allows patient to post needs on a calendar and folks to help sign up to met those needs. Might be hard for a computer novice to use. www.lotsahelpinghands.org

CarePages - This is an e-mail box for you to send and receive e-mails and also allows you to connect with others in similar circumstances. www.carepages.org


Support

CanSurvive GYN Cancer Support Group (Birmingham area) http://www.cansurvivesupportgroup.org

Lilies of the Valley (Huntsville area) www.liliesofthevalley.org

AL and FL Panhandle www.cansurvivesupportgroup.org/main/groups

Courage Companions Courage Companions


Need more info about your cancer?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site on GYN Cancers www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic/

Online Support Groups or Message Boards

Ovarian Cancer www.inspire.com/groups/ovarian-cancer-national-alliance/

F.O.R.C.E. - Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered - for folks with genetic predispositions to cancer www.facingourrisk.org

Local help:

  • American Cancer Society - There is help if you have a need during your treatment. You can contact the ACS directly (205--879--2242) or go through the social worker, Michael K. Schepps, at the UAB GYN Oncology office to start a referral.

    Some services include:

    • free lodging at the Lee Griffin Hope Lodge for patients who are receiving treatment in Birmingham, but live more than 40 miles away.
    • Free transportation to and from appointments for these patients is also provided.
    • a toll--free information number (1--800--227--2345) which is available 24/7 and is answered by one of their cancer information specialists.
    • an ACS navigator at UAB that helps patients navigate the medical center.
    • support groups.
    • Reach for Recovery program for breast cancer patients.
    • a comprehensive list of resources for patients.
    • literature about various cancers.
    • Look Good...Feel Better program.

  • UAB Supportive Care of Pallative Care

    Phone: (205) 975-8190

    Web: http://medicine.uab.edu/PalliativeCare

    UAB clinic helps cancer survivors beyond treatment

Free Items for Cancer Patients:

Local Ovarian Cancer Foundations:

National Websites:

  • American Cancer Society -- www.cancer.org
  • CANCERcare is a national nonprofit organization that provides free, professional support services for anyone affected by cancer. www.cancercare.org
  • Gilda Radners Club -- www.gildasclub.org
  • Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) -- www.thegcf.org

  • L'Oreal Paris, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Hope Line

    1--877--OV--HOPE --1 This is a Hope line to provide immediate assistance to anyone facing an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Callers will speak with a professional social worker, who can help address the psychological and practical concerns about their diagnosis.

  • National Cancer Institute -- www.cancer.gov/
  • National Cervical Cancer Coalition -- www.thegcf.org
  • Ovarian Cancer National Alliance -- www.ovariancancer.org
    • Society of Gynecologic Oncologists -- www.sgo.org