Cancer is a scary word. It seems like a death sentence and there is no prevention (just some healthy choices that might lower your chances if all odds are in your favor.) And the thing about cancer is that it effects everyone in some way.
Recently my mother was bleeding uncontrollably for over a month; a sign of uterine cancer. And while we wait for her results with baited breath and anxiety filled hours I decided to share information on uterine cancer and the process of treatment.
A lot of emotions go through your head when cancer arrives. Though undiagnosed yet it is still scary to think that this may be the answer. What would I do without my mother? Will I end up with cancer as well?
So what is UTERINE CANCER? (Boobs are not the only part of a woman that can get sick, so ladies take notes.)
Basics: Uterine cancer (also called endometrial cancer) is a serious condition that affects millions of women annually. It most commonly occurs in women who are going through, or who have gone through, menopause. (So yeah it may not affect YOU at the moment but it may affect those around you.)
~ You are at risk if you have a uterus
~ If you take estrogen or progesterone (that includes birth control and hormone therapy)
~ Obese, smoker or have a history of uterine, colon or ovarian cancer family or personal history
~You are also a greater risk if you have had problems getting pregnant or if you had fewer than five periods a year before beginning menopause.
~ Age: Most women diagnosed with endometrial cancer are over age 50 and have gone through menopause.
~ Childbearing status: Researchers are still investigating why pregnancy seems to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.
Symptoms:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
- If the abnormal bleeding continues for any considerable amount of time (more than a few days) or if it happens during several monthly cycles in a row, consider notifying your doctor.
- Keep a journal recording these occurrences
- If the abnormal bleeding continues for any considerable amount of time (more than a few days) or if it happens during several monthly cycles in a row, consider notifying your doctor.
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– Watch for pain or pressure in your pelvis. This is never a good sign!
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– Painful or frequent urination
– Be wary of pain during sexual intercourse.
Treatment/Cures:
Different treatments may be provided by different doctors on your medical team.
- Surgery: Doctors remove cancer tissue in an operation.
- Radiation: Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer.
- Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy removes hormones or blocks their action and stops cancer cells from growing. Hormones are substances made by glands in the body and circulated in the bloodstream.
- Chemotherapy: Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
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Prevention:
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There is no way to prevent uterine cancer. Luckily, there are things that may lessen your chances of getting this type of cancer:
- Using birth control pills/progesterone since this keeps your period regular and your estrogen and progesterone levels normal.
- Maintaining your weight.
- Regular screening for uterine cancer.
- Pelvic exam
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Endometrial biopsy
- Pap test (to test for other possible causes)
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Other Sources:
- https://www.cancer.gov/types/uterine
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometrial-cancer/home/ovc-20205704
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