When it comes to successfully treating cancer, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are all extremely important. The sooner a patient’s cancer is treated, the less chance it has to grow and spread throughout the body. This is true of all forms of cancer, including gynecological cancer. Certain gynecological cancers may not show any signs or symptoms for some time after developing, so it’s highly recommended to go for annual screenings and well woman exams, or more regular screenings if you have concerns. Still, it’s important to be aware of the common signs of gynecological cancers should they occur. Hopefully this helps our patients keep an eye out for troublesome symptoms and catch them early.
Cervical Cancer Warning Signs
- Irregular bleeding, including bleeding after sex, bleeding after menopause, bleeding between periods
- Longer or heavier than-normal periods
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Painful, uncomfortable sex
Uterine Cancer Warning Signs
- Irregular bleeding, spotting, or vaginal discharge
- Menorrhagia, or abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), for premenopausal women
- Difficult or painful urination
- Pain during sex
- Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area
Ovarian Cancer Warning Signs
- Urinary symptoms including frequent urination
- Bloating
- Trouble with eating or feeling full quickly
By getting more familiar with these warning signs, making regular visits to a board-certified gynecologist, and seeking medical attention if they notice anything irregular, women can dramatically reduce their risk of gynecological cancer spreading. For more information on gynecological cancer or if you would like to schedule a screening, please contact Dr. Kristine Gould at Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more tips, news and updates on our upcoming Health & Wellness events.
