Most of us remember Fran Drescher as the nasal-voiced actress in the TV sitcom The Nanny, but perhaps her most impactful role is one she’s played off stage. As a 13-year uterine cancer survivor, Drescher now uses her celebrity status to champion early detection of the disease. Her story is similar to that of so many women. Thought too young to have uterine cancer, her symptoms were simply misdiagnosed. It took Drescher 2 years and 8 doctors to learn that at age 44 she had cancer. This year alone, an estimated 49,560 women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer in the United States. It is the fourth most common cancer and the eighth most common cause of cancer death for women. Although uterine cancer rates are higher among Caucasian women, African-American women are more likely to die from the disease. What is important to remember is that uterine cancer is a disease that strikes not only women in their post-menopause years, but those in perimenopause as well. Therefore, all women need to pay close attention to early warning signs and seek a proper diagnosis.
Recognize the symptoms of uterine cancer.
Inform your doctor of ANY irregular vaginal bleeding, particularly bleeding more than once a month or heavy bleeding, at ANY age. Also report any abnormal, watery or blood-tinged vaginal discharge, pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.
Seek a proper diagnosis.
If there is a concern of an abnormality in the uterine lining that may be the cause of the abnormal bleeding, your doctor may perform an endometrial biopsy in the office. During this procedure, a small tissue sample is taken from the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, which is then examined for the presence of abnormal cells. The process is generally tolerated well by most women. But your doctor may opt to perform a dilation and curettage (D&C) under general or local anesthesia in a hospital setting.
Treatment may vary depending on age and reproductive goals.
If diagnosed with uterine cancer, in most cases, a total hysterectomy is performed, which involves removing the uterus and cervix, as well as the ovaries. In rare, select cases, such as when a woman is young and has goals of pregnancy, an early stage, low-grade uterine cancer may be treated with hormone therapy with the goal of reversing the cancer changes. If successful, this therapy may allow a patient to postpone a hysterectomy, thus allowing the opportunity to conceive. Despite its prevalence, uterine cancer has impressive survival rates because most women present with early-stage, highly curable disease. The 1-year survival rate is 92% and the 5-year survival rate for a woman with a local (without spread) uterine cancer at diagnosis is 95%. Women can combat the disease by maintaining a healthy weight. Also, women on estrogen replacement therapy should discuss with their doctor their specific hormone regimen to avoid hormone imbalance, which can increase the risk of endometrial cancer. If you’d like to learn more, I’ll be discussing this topic at an upcoming free seminar at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. You will also hear a brief presentation on ovarian cancer by one of my Baylor OB/GYN colleagues and a guest panelist who will share her inspiring story of surviving ovarian cancer. Thousands of women are diagnosed with a gynecological cancer every year – knowing the facts could save your life!
Be a Cancer Survivor: What You Need to Know About Gynecologic Cancer Tuesday, September 24, 2013 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women 4th Floor, Conference Education Center Reserve your seat now! Limited seating is available.
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