Gynecological Cancers That Deeply Affect Women’s Nature

Gynecological cancers can deeply affect the sensitive nature of women. The disease and the treatments administered because of it can sometimes be life-threatening, while also affecting women’s sex lives. Therefore, every woman should be informed about gynecological cancers.

Gynecological cancers, the fourth most common type of cancer worldwide, rank second among cancers affecting women in our country after breast cancer. The most common type of gynecological cancer is “cervical cancer,” which develops in the cervix, also known as the neck of the uterus. The number of women with cervical cancer varies depending on the socioeconomic conditions of the country in which they live. The second most common type of gynecological cancer is “uterine cancer,” or “endometrial cancer,” which develops in the inner lining of the uterus. While approximately 350.000-400.000 new uterine cancer cases occur worldwide each year, this figure is approximately 1.400-2.000 per year in Türkiye. Although the incidence of uterine cancer is increasing in developed countries, the mortality rate associated with this type of cancer is low. This is because, thanks to medical science advancing day by day, the disease can be diagnosed early and treated. “Ovarian cancer,” which develops in the ovaries, can be considered the type of gynecological cancer that causes the most deaths because it is generally diagnosed after spreading to other organs. Unfortunately, unlike breast and cervical cancer, there is no reliable imaging test for ovarian cancer. In previous years, the similarity between the symptoms observed in ovarian cancer and those seen in other diseases caused the disease to be detected late. Thus, the disease, which resulted in the deaths of patients who had lost their chance of treatment, became known among the public as the “silent killer.” However, studies conducted in subsequent years have shown that symptoms such as abdominal bloating and enlargement, difficulty eating, and frequent urination can also occur in ovarian cancer. Thanks to this, the disease can be diagnosed early, increasing the chances of recovery for women with ovarian cancer.

In women with a family history of cancer, the possibility of a genetic mutation increases the risk of gynecological cancer. Women with a family history of ovarian, fallopian tube, endometrial, or premenopausal breast cancer who may be at risk of familial transmission should consult their physicians, undergo genetic evaluation, and have the relevant tests performed. Women at risk who have a genetic mutation should speak with their doctors after having children to obtain detailed information about methods that reduce cancer risk, such as surgical intervention and specialized screening tests. Since this is a highly specialized field requiring expertise, the best approach is for the patient to work together with a gynecologist experienced in oncology, an oncologist, a general surgeon, and a medical genetics specialist.

The first-choice treatment method for gynecological cancers is surgical intervention, which results in the removal of the entire uterus and/or ovary. Having the surgery performed by experienced specialists not only positively affects the success of treatment but also improves the patient’s quality of life.

Dear readers, as I explained in a previous article, obtaining a second opinion after a patient has been diagnosed with cancer will help resolve the questions on their mind and make them feel secure. Therefore, consulting another doctor who is also a specialist in the relevant field helps the female patient make a sound decision.

As I stated at the beginning of the article, gynecological cancers deeply affect the sensitive and delicate nature of women. Therefore, it is necessary to act as carefully as possible during the diagnosis and treatment stages, to thoroughly evaluate all treatment plans to be carried out, and to have all of this performed by an experienced team. Today, early diagnosis and advancing treatment methods save lives in cancer care. The important thing is to be able to consult a specialist doctor without neglect or delay when a symptom is encountered.