Cancer Diagnosis – Dr Elize Wethmar

Cancer Diagnosis – Dr Wethmar is a leader in the field of female cancers; including cervical cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, vulva cancer, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer. We encourage annual medical check-ups and cancer screening for early detection, as symptoms don’t always present until cancer has spread. Women need to lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle, cutting out lifestyle factors that increase their cancer risk.

It’s important for women to be empowered with knowledge regarding lowering their cancer and health risk and recognising warning signs.

CERVICAL CANCER

What is it?

Cervical cancer is when malignant (cancer) cells form in tissues of the cervix.
Cervical cancer usually develops slowly. Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia in which abnormal cells begin to appear in the cervical tissue. Over time, the abnormal cells may become cancer cells and start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas.
HPV infection is the highest risk factor for cervical cancer.

Risk Factors

Infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Being sexually active at a young age.
Having many sexual partners.

Please note: Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a Risk Factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. Talk to you gynaecologist if you think you may be at risk for any female cancers.

Signs & Symptoms

Early cervical cancer may not cause signs & symptoms. Regular check-ups for HPV screening & abnormal cells are very important. Check with your gynaecologist if you show any of the following:

Vaginal bleeding (including after sexual intercourse).
Unusual vaginal discharge.
Pelvic pain.
Pain during sexual intercourse.

These signs and symptoms also may be caused by other conditions and not by cervical cancer. If the signs or symptoms get worse or do not go away on their own, check with your gynaecologist so that any problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

UTERINE CANCER

What is it?

Uterine cancers (endometrial, Leiomysarcome) is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the endometrium. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus, a hollow, muscular organ in a woman’s pelvis. The uterus is where the fetus grows. When the average woman is not pregnant, the uterus is about 7.5cm long (3 inches). The lower, narrow end of the uterus is the cervix, which leads to the vagina.

Risk Factors

Taking estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause.
Taking tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast cancer.
Obesity.
Having metabolic syndrome (cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes).
Having Type 2 diabetes.
Exposure of endometrial tissue to estrogen made by the body. This may be caused by:
- Never giving birth.
- Menstruating at an early age.
- Starting menopause at a later age.
Having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS – a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges).
Having a family history of endometrial cancer in a direct relative (mother, sister or daughter).
Having endometrial hyperplasia (a condition in which the endometrium – the lining of the uterus – becomes abnormally thick).

Signs & Symptoms

Check with your gynaecologist if you show any of the following:

Vaginal bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation.
Vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Difficult or painful urination.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Pain in the pelvic area.

These signs and symptoms also may be caused by other conditions and not by uterine cancer. If the signs or symptoms get worse or do not go away on their own, check with your gynaecologist so that any problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

OVARIAN, FALLOPIAN TUBE AND PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER

What is it?

Ovarian, Fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer are diseases in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissue covering the ovary or lining the fallopian tube or peritoneum.
The ovaries form part of the female reproductive system. They are in the pelvis, one on each side of the of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where the fetus grows). Each ovary is roughly the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries make eggs and female hormones (chemicals that control the way certain cells or organs work).
The fallopian tubes are a pair of long, slender tubes, one on each side of the uterus. Eggs pass from the ovaries, through the fallopian tubes, to the uterus. Cancer may begin at the end of the fallopian tube near the ovary and spreads to the ovary.
The peritoneum is the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers organs in the abdomen. Primary peritoneal cancer is cancer that forms in the peritoneum and has not spread there from another part of the body. Cancer sometimes begins in the peritoneum and spreads to the ovary.

Risk Factors

Family history of ovarian cancer in a direct relative (mother, daughter or sister).
Inherited changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
Other hereditary conditions such as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC or Lynch syndrome).
Endometriosis (disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus).
Postmenopausal hormone therapy.

Other contributing factors may be as follows:

Obesity (excessive amount of body fat).
Tall height.

Signs & Symptoms

Ovarian, Fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer may not cause early signs or symptoms. When signs and symptoms do appear, the cancer is often advanced. Check with your gynaecologist if you show any of the following:

Pain, swelling or a feeling of pressure in the abdomen or pelvis.
Vaginal bleeding that is heavy or irregular especially after menopause.
Vaginal discharge that is clear, white or coloured with blood.
A lump in the pelvic area.
Gastrointestinal problems such as gas, bloating or constipation.

These signs and symptoms also may be caused by other conditions and not by ovarian, fallopian tube or peritoneal cancer. If the signs or symptoms get worse or do not go away on their own, check with your gynaecologist so that any problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

VAGINAL CANCER

What is it?

Vaginal cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the vagina.
The vagina is the canal leading from the cervix (the opening of the uterus) to the outside of the body. Also called the birth canal.
Vaginal cancer is not common. There are two main types of vaginal cancer:

Squamous cell carcinoma: This is the most common type of vaginal cancer. Cancer that forms in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the vagina. Squamous cell vaginal cancer spreads slowly and usually stays near the vagina but may spread to the lungs, liver or bone.
Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins in glandular cells. Glandular cells in the lining of the vagina make and release fluids such as mucus. Adenocarcinoma is more likely than squamous cell cancer to spread to the lungs and lymph nodes.

Risk Factors

Having a human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the vagina is linked to HPV infection and has many of the same risk factors as SCC of the cervix.
Having had a hysterectomy for tumours that were benign (not cancer) or cancer.
Older age also increases the risk of developing vaginal cancer.

Signs & Symptoms

Vaginal cancer often does not cause early signs or symptoms. It may be found during a routine pelvic exam and Pap Smear test.
Check with your gynaecologist if you show any of the following:

Bleeding or discharge not related to menstrual periods.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Pain in the pelvic area.
A lump in the vagina.
Pain when urinating.
Constipation.

These signs and symptoms also may be caused by other conditions and not by vaginal cancer. If the signs or symptoms get worse or do not go away on their own, check with your gynaecologist so that any problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

VULVA CANCER

What is it?

Vulva cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the vulva.
Vulva cancer forms in a woman’s external genitalia. The vulva includes:

Inner and outer lips of the vagina.
Clitoris (sensitive tissue between the lips).
Opening of the vagina and its glands.
Monis pubis (the rounded area in front of the pubic bones that becomes covered with hair at puberty).
Perineum (the area between the vulva and the anus).

Vulva cancer most often affects the outer vaginal lips. Less often, cancer affects the inner vaginal lips, clitoris or vaginal glands.
Vulva cancer usually forms slowly over many years. Abnormal cells can grow on the surface of the vulva skin for a long time. This is called vulva intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). VIN can become vulva cancer which makes it very important to get treatment.

Risk Factors

Having human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
Having vulva intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).
Having a history of genital warts.
Having many sexual partners.
Having first sexual intercourse at a young age.
Having a history of abnormal Pap Smear tests.

Older age also increases the risk of developing vulva cancer.

Signs & Symptoms

Vulva cancer often does not cause early signs or symptoms.
Check with your gynaecologist if you show any of the following:

A lump or growth on the vulva that looks like a wart or ulcer.
Itching in the vulva area that does not go away.
Bleeding not related to menstruation.
Pain in the vulva area.

These signs and symptoms also may be caused by other conditions and not by vulva cancer. If the signs or symptoms get worse or do not go away on their own, check with your gynaecologist so that any problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.