Gynecologic cancers are cancers in the reproductive organs of a woman. A significant number of women in the United States are affected with gynecological cancers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 71,500 women are diagnosed with a gynecological cancer every year.
According to the origin, the cancer is divided into five types - cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar.
The symptoms and signs of the cancer vary with the type of cancer and may not be linked to reproductive organs.
Some of the symptoms are: abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain or pressure, abdominal /back pain, bloating, itching or burning of the vulva, bathroom habits changing and changes in vulva color/skin (sores, warts or rash).
Highlighting this point, a new study found many women often failing to identify the symptoms and seek an early medical intervention, my health daily reported.
Cynthia Gelb, a health communication specialist at the CDC and colleagues examined women's awareness about the common signs associated with gynecological cancers and found the need for more awareness.
They included 132 women, aged between 40 and 60 for their analysis. All the participants were from Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York City.
The total participants were divided into different groups with seven to nine participants. During a group discussion with the researchers, the participants shared details about the common symptoms associated with gynecological cancers.
Women were found more concerned with symptoms such as unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge and only a minority could understand some other symptoms like back pain, vaginal itching or burning, abdominal pain, feeling of exhaustion, frequent urination and bloating.
Researchers noticed a significant number of women in the study not bothered even after getting the most dangerous symptom like bleeding.
"All of these things and others may not register as being something to see a doctor about,"Gelb told My Health News Daily. "Many people are tired much of the time."
According to the authors, it is mandatory to spread more awareness about the deadly disease.
"Our findings illustrate the need to inform women about gynecologic cancer symptoms, and when to seek care," Gelb said.
