A woman’s body goes through many changes over the course of a lifetime. Dr. David Ghozland, a Los Angeles gynecologist, says empowering women to understand how to protect their gynecologic health is a high priority in his thriving practice. Dr. Ghozland promotes awareness of all types of gynecologic cancers, including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for:
- Cervical Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer usually affects women between the ages 30 and 55, but younger women also are at risk. Almost all cervical cancer is caused by a persistent infection with the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV. According to Dr. Ghozland, regular Pap tests and HPV testing when recommended are important in preventing cervical cancer. Be aware of these common symptoms:
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Excessive discharge
- Abnormal bleeding between periods
To minimize your risk of cervical cancer, get Pap tests and HPV tests at the intervals recommended by your healthcare provider. And, if your test results say you have cervical pre-cancer or cancer, seek immediate care from a gynecologic oncologist.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women and is the leading cause of death among the gynecologic cancers. The risk of developing ovarian cancer increases with age, especially around the time of menopause. It is important to note that the Pap test for cervical cancer will not detect ovarian cancer, which is why it is so important to pay attention to possible symptoms:
- Bloating
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
- Urgency with urination or increased frequency
Uterine Cancer
Most uterine cancers begin in the lining of the uterus (endometrium and endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer. Like ovarian cancer, there is no screening for uterine cancer and it cannot be detected during a Pap exam. Risk factors include:
- Taking estrogen (without progesterone)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Use of tamoxifen
- Menopause after age 52
- Never becoming pregnant
- A family history
When it comes to your gynecologic health, prevention, early detection and treatment options for cancer begin with education and regular annual exams that include a discussion of common symptoms and risk factors. Dr. Ghozland encourages women to schedule an annual gynecologic check up every 12 months and to see their OB/GYN right away if any suspicious symptoms arise.