Gynecologic Cancer FAQs

“Gyne-” derives from the Greek for woman, female. It’s said to also be related to the Proto-Indo-European word “-gwen,” which meant “honored woman,” and even Queen. “-ology” is from the Greek and means “the study of.”

So, one might say that “gynecology” is the study of women and caring for them in the highest, most efficacious, and complete way. In fact, the oldest known medical text is almost 4,000 years old and deals with just this – the care and wellness of half of the human population.

Gynecologic cancers are those affecting the female reproductive organs – vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, endometrium, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Because breast cancer also occurs in men, it is usually treated as a separate category.

Women, naturally. Even if they have had some of their reproductive organs removed for other medical reasons, they still face a cancer risk for external genitalia. According to the American Cancer Society, in the United States, almost 100,000 new gynecologic oncology cases were diagnosed in 2015.

For the simple fact that all of the gynecologic cancers occur almost three times less often than breast cancer. Whereas heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women, all types of cancer combined make up the second leading cause of death. Of these, breast cancer is the leader, followed by lung and colorectal. Uterine cancer is only the fourth most common cause of death among women with cancer. That’s why you may not have heard of it.

You’re right. Rates of death from breast cancer have been on the decline since 1989. Vast improvements in morbidity and mortality have been made thanks largely to awareness raising campaigns, like Susan G. Komen’s, as well as improved public education around early detection, not to mention advances in treatment.

That’s why we’ve founded Cancer’s Worst Enemy.

First, to bring that level of awareness to the rest of women’s cancers so that they, too, can be beaten sooner, quicker, easier, and more often.

And ultimately, to eradicate cancer altogether.

Like all other cancers, there are many variables at play including genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices. While researchers have discovered genes involved in the expression and growth of cancer, they’ve also found epigenetic factors that may turn these genes on or off. In the case of most cervical cancers as well as some vaginal and vulvar cancers, the immediate causal agent is a very common, sexually transmitted virus called Human Papillomavirus, or HPV.

Certain types of gynecologic cancers can be detected and handled early such that treatment is expected to be successful and a most complete cure possible.

Of course, you can lower your risks of developing any cancer anywhere by eating right, exercising, wearing sunscreen, and talking about your family history with your physician.

Gynecologic cancers should be treated by a sub-specialist called a gynecologic oncologist who is board certified in GYN/ONC. This is a doctor who is first board certified in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), then completes an intensive three-to-four-year fellowship in treating gynecologic cancers.  After this specialized women’s cancer treatment fellowship, they go through another level of board exams and certification. These doctors are referred to as double-boarded, or double-board certified in OB/GYN and GYN/ONC.

According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “Studies have consistently demonstrated that gynecologic oncologists … more often adhere to standard treatment guidelines resulting in increased survival from gynecologic cancers.”

The treatment plan is as unique as the woman for whom it is crafted and it depends upon many factors, including the type and stage of cancer as well as her own wishes. As an allopathic – or Western-trained – doctor, the gynecologic oncologist can draw from a vast toolbox of treatment options, such as surgery, even non-invasive and robotic types of surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.

In a well-rounded, whole-patient practice, the medical staff and office team may also offer complementary healing modalities from other cultures, which are increasingly being borne out by empirical Western research. Therapeutic options might include bodywork, meditation and relaxation techniques, counseling support, and other non-medical interventions.

Here are the estimates from 2015. About 98,000 women were diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. Some 30,000 women died from these diagnoses. Here is the breakdown by type of gynecologic cancer:

Types of Cancer                   Estimated New Cases       Estimated Deaths
Cervical cancer                                     12,340                                     4,030
Ovarian cancer                                     21,290                                    14,180
Uterine cancer                                      54,870                                    10,170
Vaginal cancer                                        4,070                                         910
Vulvar cancer                                          5,150                                       1080

We can change the experience, and even the occurrence, of cancer.

All of us at Cancer’s Worst Enemy are working towards a new reality. A healthy vitality. Through education, awareness, early detection and so much more. Together, we can eradicate cancer in our lifetimes so that future generations don’t have to.

Join this epic movement and change the stories you’ll get to tell your grand-kids.

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