It’s Uterine Cancer Awareness Month in September. Gynecologic cancer awareness frequently includes awareness of uterine cancer. All malignancies of the female reproductive system, including those of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vulva, and vagina, are referred to as gynecological cancers. These cancers pose a threat to all women.
The tissues of the uterus, the organ in which a fetus grows, are where uterine cancer begins. Endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma are the two kinds of uterine cancer. Both forms of uterine cancer are at increased risk due to the use of the breast cancer medication tamoxifen.
In This Article...
When is Women’s Cancer Awareness Month?
All malignancies of the female reproductive system, including those of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vulva, and vagina, are referred to as gynecological cancers. These cancers pose a threat to all women.
Over 29,000 women die from gynecological cancers each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Roughly 89,000 women are diagnosed with them. Different gynecological cancers have various warning signs, symptoms, and risk factors. Age is a risk factor.
The following are the main groups of gynecological cancers:
Cervical HPV (human papillomavirus) infection is virtually always the root cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer risk is higher in women who do not have routine screenings for HPV or abnormal cells in the cervix.
Ovarian epithelial cancer, which starts in the tissue covering the ovary, the lining of the fallopian tube, or the peritoneum; ovarian germ cell tumors, which start in the egg or germ cells; and ovarian low malignant potential tumors, which start in the tissue covering the ovary. There are three different types of ovarian cancer in adults.
The tissues of the uterus, the organ in which a fetus grows, are where uterine cancer begins. Endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma are the two kinds of uterine cancer.
The tissues of the endometrium, or uterine lining, are where endometrial cancer develops. Endometrial cancer risk may be increased by obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
A uncommon form of cancer called uterine sarcoma develops in the tissues that support the uterus or in the uterine muscles. Uterine sarcoma risk can be raised by X-ray exposure during radiation therapy.
Both forms of uterine cancer are at increased risk due to the use of the breast cancer medication tamoxifen.
Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are the two main kinds of vaginal cancer. Squamous cell cancer is less likely than adenocarcinoma to spread to the lymph nodes and lungs. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure before birth has been associated to a rare kind of adenocarcinoma.
After menopause, women are more likely to develop adenocarcinomas that are unrelated to DES exposure.
In a woman’s external genitalia, vulvar cancer develops. The outer vaginal lips are most frequently impacted by vulvar cancer.
Long-lasting abnormal cell growth is possible on the vulvar skin’s surface. Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia is the name given to this disorder (VIN). It’s critical to receive treatment because VIN has the potential to develop into vulvar cancer.
VIN, HPV infection, and a history of genital warts are all risk factors for developing vulvar cancer.
What percentage of uterine cancer patients survive?
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DXONED WITH UTERINE CANCER EACH YEAR CAN BE FOUND ON THIS PAGE. Additionally, you’ll learn general information on battling the illness. Keep in mind that a number of factors affect survival rates. To view additional pages, use the navigation.
Uterine, or endometrial, cancer is anticipated to affect 65,950 people in the United States this year. The fourth most frequent cancer among women in the US is uterine cancer. In 2020, uterine cancer is anticipated to affect 417,367 persons globally.
The endometrium is where more than 90% of uterine malignancies develop. Since the middle of the 2000s, there has been a 1% annual increase in the number of uterine cancer diagnoses in the US. Recent statistics, however, suggest that disease incidence rates may be stabilizing.
Approximately 66 percent of those with uterine adenocarcinomas have an early diagnosis. This is largely because irregular vaginal bleeding was seen as an early sign.
This year, the number of deaths from this illness in the US is predicted to be 12,550. In the United States, it ranks as the sixth most frequent cause of cancer death in women. Black women are more likely than White women to develop uterine cancer, and they also have a higher mortality rate from the condition. Deaths from uterine cancer increased by almost 1% year from 2015 to 2019. However, the death rates appear to have lately stabilized, much like the incidence rates. Around the world, uterine cancer is predicted to claim 97,370 lives in 2020.
The percentage of persons who survive at least 5 years after their cancer is discovered is shown by the 5-year survival rate. Percentage refers to the number out of 100. Uterine cancer patients in the US have an 81 percent 5-year survival rate. White and Black women with the condition have 5-year survival rates of 84% and 63%, respectively. More aggressive endometrial malignancies with worse survival rates are more frequently identified in black women. Find out more about cancer and health inequities.
When uterine cancer is discovered, it is referred to as “local” if it is still contained to the region where it first appeared. The 5-year survival rate is 95% in this case. The 5-year survival rate is 69% if the cancer has spread locally. The survival rate is 18% if uterine cancer is discovered after it has spread to other parts of the body. Approximately 38% of Black women and only 25% of White women are diagnosed at this point.
It’s critical to keep in mind that estimates represent the survival rates for those with uterine cancer. The estimate is based on annual data on the number of Americans who have this cancer. Additionally, every five years, experts measure the survival rates. This means that the estimate might not account for improvements in the last five years in the detection or treatment of uterine cancer. If you have any questions concerning this material, consult your doctor. Find out more about how to comprehend statistics.
Statistics taken from the International Agency for Research on Cancer website, the American Cancer Society (ACS) publication Cancer Facts & Figures 2022, and the ACS website. (Accessed January 2022 for all sources.)
Which 5 gynecological cancers are there?
Cancer is a condition in which the body’s cells proliferate unchecked. Gynecologic cancer refers to cancer that first appears in a woman’s reproductive system. Cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancer are the five main kinds of gynecologic cancer. The extremely rare fallopian tube carcinoma is the sixth kind of gynecologic cancer.
Only cervical cancer has screening tests that can detect it early, when therapy can be most effective, of all the gynecologic cancers. It is especially important to detect warning symptoms and find out if there are things you can do to minimize your risk because there is no quick and accurate technique to screen for any gynecologic cancers other than cervical cancer.
Gynecologic cancer can be treated in a number of ways. The course of treatment is determined by the cancer’s kind and extent of dissemination.
To what locations does uterine cancer spread?
A kind of cancer that started in the uterine lining (endometrium) and has spread to other parts of the body is known as metastatic uterine (endometrial) cancer. Generally speaking, uterine cancer can spread to the bladder or rectum. The vagina, ovaries, and fallopian tubes are additional locations where it might spread. Usually slow-growing, this type of cancer is frequently found before it has spread to more remote parts of the body.
Which months are designated as cancer awareness months?
Calendar for Cancer Awareness Month
- Week of Cervical Cancer Prevention in January.
- February. Awareness of esophageal cancer. Day Against Cancer.
- March. Awareness of colorectal cancer. Awareness of ovarian cancer. Awareness of brain tumors. Awareness of prostate cancer.
Exists a national cancer awareness month?
National Cancer Prevention Month is in February. Review our website’s other resources, download A Guide to Preventing Cancer, and have a look at our Seven Steps to Prevent Cancer.
April is a cancer month, right?
April has been designated as National Cancer Control Month by the US President every year since 1938. In the US, this month is devoted to increasing public awareness of cancer prevention and treatment. The mortality toll from cancer has been slowly declining for many years, in part because of improved education and increased understanding about how to avoid certain types of cancer, spot their signs and symptoms, and seek the right treatment.
Screening is one of the most efficient techniques to identify pre-cancerous cells and offer early treatment among the many preventative strategies. The following malignancies can be easily screened for:
- For women 40 and older, screening for breast cancer involves yearly mammograms.
- For women age 21 and older, screening for cervical cancer involves Pap tests at least every three years.
- For men and women age 50 and older, screening for colon and rectal cancer involves yearly colonoscopies.
Vaccinations are another option for treating and preventing certain malignancies, in addition to screening. Specific infectious pathogens that cause or aid in the development of cancer are prevented by these cancer immunizations. The following cancer vaccines have received FDA approval:
- These vaccines, Guardasil or Ceravix, are made to guard women against certain strains of the cancer-causing human papilloma virus (HPV)
- The three-shot series of the Hepatitis B vaccine, which is administered to youngsters, is intended to shield both men and women from the liver-cancer-causing Hepatitis B virus.
- Proven: This vaccination, which the FDA licensed in 2010, aids in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.
To help create new vaccines to treat more cancer types, additional clinical studies are being conducted.
The best strategy to prevent some types of cancer involves making these easy lifestyle changes in addition to medical prevention:
- Avoid tobacco products.
- Moderate alcohol consumption
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Be active physically
- Avert excessive UV exposure
- Sex should be safe.
Despite being one of the main causes of death in the US, cancer is also one of the most easily avoidable diseases. Utilizing the resources at your disposal and making an effort to safeguard your body can help you avoid getting cancer in the future and even dying from it.
Source:
Why is October designated as Awareness Month?
The month of October saw numerous significant observances to help Understood move closer to its goal of reshaping the world for difference. This featured National Disability Employment Awareness Month, National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, and National ADHD Awareness Month. In October of this year, understood continued to commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act’s 30th birthday.
Can uterine cancer be cured by a hysterectomy?
For endometrial cancer that has not spread, surgery is the usual course of therapy. For women who are at high risk of contracting the condition, it is also an useful preventative measure. Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, in which the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes are removed, is the most effective treatment for early malignancy. Any questionable lymph nodes, tissues, and organs are also biopsied, and they could potentially be removed. The likelihood of the cancer not returning after this surgery is high.
After surgery, the patient may receive radiation therapy to eliminate any leftover cancer cells if the cancer has progressed outside of the uterus. Radiation therapy is frequently given in conjunction with chemotherapy. When a tumor is substantial but has not spread outside the uterus, some doctors may additionally advise radiation therapy.
Hormone therapy, typically progesterone, is given to patients with advanced endometrial cancer to decrease its progression. To minimize the size and quantity of tumors, chemotherapy or radiation treatments may also be used; all of these treatments have the potential to lengthen life and ease symptoms. Surgery may also be used if the cancer is limited to the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes and treatment is successful in eliminating distant tumors.
What were the early symptoms of uterine cancer in you?
Like Jenny, some uterine cancer patients have inexplicable vaginal bleeding that occurs outside of their regular period or after menopause. However, not all women may bleed, and there are additional uterine cancer warning signals to be aware of.
Because there is no regular test for uterine cancer, it is crucial for women to be aware of the warning signs and symptoms. You should consult a doctor if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms:
- discharge that may be red or runny and smells awful
- bleeding after menopause or between periods
- abdominal discomfort or agony
- pain or trouble urinating when using the restroom
In our blog post What is gynecological cancer and what are the symptoms?, you can learn more about the signs and symptoms of all gynecological malignancies.
In order to discuss her vaginal bleeding, Jenny hadn’t actually scheduled a consultation with her doctor. She didn’t think to bring it up until her doctor asked if there was anything else to talk about at the end of an appointment.
“Oh look, you know, I only occasionally get mild bleeding,” I said. Jenny feels it would have been fortunate if it had been once every three months.
The bleeding could be an indication of something catastrophic, according to Jenny’s doctor. After placing an order for several tests, she suggested Jenny see a gynecologist so she could undergo an internal scan of her reproductive system and have a tissue sample collected.
According to Jenny, the gynecologist called me the day before I was supposed to call her with the results.
It came as a big surprise. After that, I was immediately assigned to a gynecologic oncologist, who measured the thickness of my uterine wall at 11 millimeters.
