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Symptoms & Risk Factors

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer begins in the ovaries. It is one of the more common forms of gynecologic cancer, and many times, symptoms don’t appear until the cancer is advanced. There is no known way to prevent Ovarian Cancer, and it is one of the most difficult Gynecologic Cancers to detect.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Early Ovarian Cancer usually doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms, making this a difficult cancer to detect. In late or advanced-stage Ovarian Cancer, symptoms may include:

  • Abdominal bloating
  • Discomfort in the pelvic or abdominal area that does not go away
  • Feeling full after eating even small amounts of food

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to discuss them with your gynecologist. Most of the time, these symptoms are not caused by cancer. But if you have any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor so that Ovarian Cancer can be ruled out.

Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer

No one knows the exact cause of Ovarian Cancer, or why one woman develops cancer and another doesn’t. However, there are certain factors that increase a woman’s risk of developing reproductive cancers, including Ovarian Cancer.

Having a risk factor or factors does not mean that an individual woman will get Ovarian Cancer. Most women who have risk factors never develop cancer. But knowing your risk factors can help you make the best decisions for your long-term health.

Risk factors for Ovarian Cancer include:

  • Having a family history of Ovarian, Breast or hereditary Colorectal Cancer
  • Having the BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited gene mutations
  • Having had hormone replacement therapy for more than five years
  • Never being pregnant
  • Being over 50 years of age
  • Being obese

Uterine Cancer

Symptoms of Uterine and Endometrial Cancer

Early Uterine or Endometrial Cancer usually doesn’t cause symptoms. But as the tumor grows, you may begin to experience symptoms.

Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer include:

  • Bleeding between periods, sometimes heavy, or bleeding after menopause
  • Lower pelvic pain
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge after menopause

Risk Factors for Uterine and Endometrial Cancer

Uterine Cancer, also called Endometrial Cancer, is cancer that starts in the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. Endometrial Cancer is the most common type of cancer of the female reproductive organs in the United States.  Endometrial Cancer typically affects women ages 60 and older. Women between 40 and 60 years old can also be affected, but less commonly.

Research suggests that increasing estrogen levels may play a role in the development of Uterine Cancer. Risk factors for Endometrial Cancer include:

  • Estrogen replacement therapy
  • History of endometrial polyps
  • Hormone therapy (tamoxifen) for breast cancer treatment
  • Infertility or never being pregnant
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
  • Starting menstruation at an early age (before age 12)
  • Starting menopause after age 50

Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer is a slow-growing cancer that begins with abnormalities in the cells of the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus that connects the uterus to the vagina. In some cases, these pre-cancerous, abnormal cells develop into cancer over time. Because women typically receive routine screening, including Pap smears, to look for abnormal cells, this type of cancer is often detected early. Cervical cancer is very treatable in early stages. 

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Pre-cancerous changes to the cells in the cervix typically have no symptoms, which is why an annual gynecological exam and regular screening tests are important. Symptoms of more advanced, or invasive, Cervical Cancer include:

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding, which may occur between periods
  • Vaginal bleeding after menopause
  • Unusual bleeding after sexual intercourse
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge, or an increase in vaginal discharge, which may contain blood
  • Pain in the lower pelvic area or belly
  • Pain during sexual intercourse

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer

Most Cervical Cancer cases are caused by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, or HPV.  Two specific strains, HPV 16, and HPV 18, cause most cases of cervical cancer. HPV is a very common sexually transmitted disease that affects men and women.

Most people show no signs of the virus and it usually goes away on its own. However, when HPV remains in the body undetected, the virus can cause Cervical Cancer. That is why regular screening is so important.

In addition to HPV, other risk factors for the development of Cervical Cancer may include:

  • Practicing unprotected sex or having multiple sexual partners
  • Smoking
  • Compromised immune system

For more information about Holy Cross Health's Gynecological Cancer services, call 855-HCH-HOPE.