Women Empowerment! Very strong word, isn't it? But do we really ever think
what exactly does it mean?Empowerment includes raising the status
of women through right education making her aware of her rights as
well as about her health and well being .It is all about giving her freedom
to take her own decisions, to listen to her body and pain and giving access
to take care of herself... A fundamental right!
Gynaecological cancers, are a group of Cancer that start vaginal discharge,
pain and pressure in the lower in a woman's reproductive system. These
reproductive abdomen, swelling, soreness, itching, burning, hard system's
cancers are mostly preventable or curable, iflumos (wart-like) are such siens
that should he checked detected in time. So comprehensive awareness is an
essential tread to empower women of the country.
Types of Gynaecological Cancers
Gynaecological cancers are labeled according to the and vomiting. affected
organs of the reproductive system, such as:
- Ovarian cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Cervical cance
- Vaginal cancer
- Vulvar cancer
Few other types of gynaecological cancers include Gestational trophoblastic cancer
(pregnancy associated) and Fallopian tube cancer.
Clinical Presentation
Each one of these can present in its own unique way. It giving her freedom to take
her own decisions, to listen to particularly depends upon the affected organ. Still
some worrying symptoms hat may raise the doubt of having it herself include,
bleeding after menopause, bleeding between menstrual periods, or bleeding after
coitus,abnormal vaginal discharge, pain and pressure in the lower abdomen
swelling, soreness, itching, burning, hard lumos (wart-like) are such siens that should he checked
Specific symptoms depending upon the organ affected:
- Ovarian cancer:
Pain or heavy feeling in the lower abdomen, pelvic region or lower
back, unusual vaginal bleeding, weight loss or gain, irregular period
nausea and vomiting.
- Uterine and endometrial cancer
Initially the symptoms are silent until the cancer becomes metastasized.
Appearance of abnormal vaginal bleeding, watery and pink, foul smelling,
thick, brown discharge, heavy irregular menstrual flow or bleeding between
menstruation, pain in lower abdomen, back and legs, enlarged uterus.
- Cervical cancer
Bleeding between or after menstrual periods, coitus, douching, after pelvic
examination, longer and heavier menstrual flow, increased and foul smelling
vaginal discharge, chronic pelvic and back pain.
- Vaginal cancer:
Irregular vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, a mass or lump
in the vagina, pain in pelvic area and during urination.
- Vulvar cancer :
Itchiness or soreness of vulva, pain, skin color change or thickening along
with irregular bleeding.
Gynaecological Cancers - Risk Factors
Factors which are associated with an increased possibility of developing
gynaecological cancers are advanced age, strong family
history,
hormonal
- Pelvic Examination:
It is the foremost step, to examine the patient's reproductive organs by
pressing down on different parts of the pelvic area and by inserting two
fingers inside the vagina in order to note changes in size or shape,
and to examine mass indicating a problem.
- Cervical Screening Test:
Pap test (Conventional and Liquid-Based cervical Cytology (LBC)). More
details about this technique has been covered in the previous article
onAdvances in Cervical Cancer.
- Blood tests
It tests the presence of gynaecological cancer markers such as:
- Endoscopy
Hysterosalpingography to detect the cause for infertility, chronic pelvic
pain, pelvic tumors, pelvic inflammatory disease. Colposcopy is done to
get a magnified view of the cervix, vagina and vulva.
- Biopsy
It is done to study any abnormal lesion.
- Imaging Tests
Transvaginal ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans can be done.
Truth Behind the Myths
When it comes to gynaecological health, one must be informed about
their body and risk factors that change over time, and empowered with
proper health practices such as
Taking seriously any unusual or abnormal symptoms associated with
your reproductive organs
- Routine gynaecological screening such as Pap tests
-Taking vaccines for preventable cancers such as cervical cancer
