A healthy woman is an empowered woman

Do you know the 5 types of gynecologic cancers? March is National Women’s Month, a good time to recognize the health care rights of women and girls and to raise awareness about critical illnesses like cancer. If you’re a woman, knowing how to prevent the development of gynecologic cancers and recognizing the warning signs are powerful tools to respect and care for your health.

By: Preferred Global Health
One of among the health goals for Women’s Month is empowering women with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions about their health and take actions to stay healthy.

The Importance of Check-Ups
Due to the pandemic, many people have delayed or skipped getting necessary medical attention. These range from routine check-ups to minor surgeries or major treatments. For this reason, it is highly important to be aware of the signs and risks of diseases such as cancer – the number one cause of death for Filipinas. It also can’t be stressed enough that frequent medical check-ups are vital for early detection.

Gynecologic cancers are more common than you think. Take note of the 5 main types which are:
1.      Cervical cancer
2.      Uterine cancer, or endometrial (the inner lining of the uterus) cancer
3.      Ovarian cancer
4.      Vaginal cancer
5.      Vulvar cancer

Knowing about these cancer types and what you can do to help prevent and detect them early on – when they are easier to treat – can save your life.

Symptoms and warning signs
It is very important to have regular gynecologic exams because symptoms of early-stage gynecologic cancers can often be vague or actually be signs of a less serious condition.

While any of the symptoms below are serious and should not be ignored, don’t panic. Just set an appointment with a medical professional as soon as you can.

Be on the lookout for:
¨      Unusual vaginal discharge with blood that can be dark-colored or smelly.
¨      Vaginal bleeding. More than 90% of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer experience irregular bleeding[i]. Bleeding after sexual intercourse, between menstruation periods, or bleeding after menopause, can be a sign of cervical or vaginal cancer.
¨      Pain in the pelvis or abdominal area can occur with uterine and ovarian cancer.
¨      Bloating is a symptom of ovarian cancer. It may also cause constipation and an increased need to urinate.
¨      Vaginal and vulvar cancer causes itching and soreness along with a visible lesion. Doctors might perform a biopsy of the wound to look for abnormal cells.

Other warning signs you should not ignore are:
¨      Unexplained weight loss, such as losing more than 4-5 kilos suddenly without changing your diet or exercise habits.
¨      Loss of appetite or feeling full all the time and never hungry.
¨      Constant fatigue.
¨      Persistent indigestion or nausea.
¨      Change in bowel habits.
¨      Changes in your breasts.

Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean you have cancer but if they last two weeks or longer, seek a professional medical evaluation.

What to know and prevention tips
With regular check-ups, gynecologic cancers can possibly be cured following early detection. In fact, cervical cancer is the only malignant cancer in women that can be prevented by a vaccine!

These are the risk factors you can manage and some steps you can take to prevent reproductive cancers:
¨      Know about the Human papillomavirus (HPV): HPV is a major risk for cervical cancer, so much so that 99.7% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer are positive for HPV. The virus is a sexually transmitted infection so common that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. estimates that 85% of people will contract it over their lifetime

Fortunately, the HPV vaccine is successful for protecting against HPV infection, as well as cervical abnormalities, and genital warts. This means that cervical cancer can be prevented by a vaccine. Vaccination, alongside screening and treatment, are the three pillars for the World Health Organization spearheaded global commitment to eradicate cervical cancer by 2050 All Filipinas are recommended to get the HPV vaccine and to do so as early as 10 years of age.

Having regular tests, such as pap smears every 1-2 years, is also helpful in detecting cervical cancer.
¨      Manage weight, smoking, and alcohol: Addressing these early on significantly changes the likelihood of developing cancer, among other diseases, and will improve your fitness, energy, and health.
¨      Be aware of Chlamydia infection: This common sexually transmitted disease can go undetected as it does not have symptoms. Chlamydia increases the risk of ovarian cancer through its role in pelvic inflammatory disease and is also a contributing factor in cervical cancer. Regular testing allows medical professionals to spot and treat it.
¨      Learn about hormone replacement therapy: The link between cancer and hormones has to do with cells multiplying. For some women, replacing declining hormones can alleviate some of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. But hormone replacement therapy also raises the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Doctors will often recommend safer ways to reduce the symptoms of menopause and non-hormonal alternatives.
¨      Take note of hereditary reasons: Cancer is a genetic disease, meaning it is caused by certain changes to genes that control the way cells grow and divide.  Everyone has some risk of developing cancer, and in many cases the disease develops randomly. However, in some cases, cancer can also present itself as a hereditary occurrence. While cancer itself is not inherited, the genetic defect that can – or cannot – lead to cancer is. For example, patients with ovarian cancer often have a family history of cancer. It is good practice to take extra precautions and monitoring through regular testing if there is a history of cancer in your family.

What to do if you are concerned
If you have not had your regular medical check-up, don’t put it off any further.

If you have symptoms, or are unsure, speak to your doctor. It may not be cancer, but catching things early, or ruling them out, is the safest option.

Knowing about your health and how your body works is your best course of action and with the right attention and support, you can overcome health challenges.

Preferred Global Health (PGH), a global patient organization based in Boston, USA, is a valued partner of AXA’s Preferred Consultation and Care (PCC) service. The partnership between AXA Philippines and PGH gives eligible AXA policyholders access to PCC where they can get expert advice for diagnosis verification and treatment plans from highly experienced Harvard-affiliated doctors. It provides patients the opportunity to make informed decisions in case of diagnosis of cancer and heart diseases.

Learn more about AXA’s PCC and other health care products and services by clicking here or reaching out to your financial advisor.

[1] MD Anderson. Nathan-Garner L. August 2014. “10 cancer symptoms women shouldn’t ignore” https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/cancer-symptoms-women.h17-1589046.html
[1] Tacio H. 16 May 2019. “Cervical cancer: second-most common cancer among women”. Business Mirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/05/16/cervical-cancer-second-most-common-cancer-among-women/
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Reasons to get vaccinated”. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine/six-reasons.html
[1]. Brotherton J. “Impact of HPV vaccination: achievements and future challenges” Papillomavirus Res. June 2019; 7: 138-140. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6465571/
[1] World Health Organization, 17 November 2020. “A cervical cancer-free future: first ever global commitment to eliminate a cancer”. https://www.who.int/news/item/17-11-2020-a-cervical-cancer-free-future-first-ever-global-commitment-to-eliminate-a-cancer
[1] MD Anderson, Underferth D. September 2017. “Hormones and cancer: what’s the link?” https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/hormones-and-cancer-whats-the-link.h30Z1591413.html
[1] Banks N. et al. 24 September, 2019. “How does menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) affect ovarian cancer risk?” Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/answers/276104-193555/how-does-menopausal-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt-affect-ovarian-cancer-risk