How to ensure your patients receive appropriate care
Pap tests and human papillomavirus (HPV) tests are so effective at screening for cervical cancer that mortality from the disease has decreased significantly in the past 30 years. Unfortunately, there are no effective screening tools for other types of gynecologic cancers, says Haider Mahdi, MD, MPH, a gynecologic oncologist at Cleveland Clinic. That’s why watching for symptoms is essential for detecting:
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Ovarian cancer. “Most women are diagnosed with late-stage disease because warning signs are nonspecific and often overlooked,” says Dr. Mahdi. Indicators include:
Endometrial cancer. Postmenopausal bleeding is the most common symptom. Fortunately, bleeding usually occurs in the disease’s early stage, making early diagnosis and cure more feasible.
Vulvar or vaginal cancers. A vulvar mass, vulvar itching or vaginal bleeding are the most common symptoms.
Primary care physicians and Ob/Gyn providers are on the front lines in gynecologic cancer detection. According to Dr. Mahdi, their important role is fourfold:
Dr. Mahdi says that patients diagnosed with gynecological cancers should be referred to treatment centers with advanced capabilities such as:
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