Women's Health: The Cancer Edition

Cancer is a major health issue today that impacts millions of lives. Whether if one knows someone with cancer or has cancer themselves, it is a disease that nearly everyone has encountered in some way, shape, or form. Women, in particular, are affected by cervical and breast cancer. In 2015, an estimate of 12,900 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed (“What Are the Key”, 2015), and an estimate of 231,840 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed (“U.S. Breast Cancer”, 2015). Out of those diagnosed, roughly 4,100 will die from cervical cancer (“What Are the Key”, 2015) and 40,290 will die from breast cancer (“U.S. Breast Cancer”, 2015). In a lifetime, about 1 in 8 U.S. women (12%) will develop breast cancer, making it the most common cancer among women (“U.S. Breast Cancer”, 2015). Despite these frightening statistics, there is hope in the form of awareness of symptoms, screening, treatment, and prevention.

Symptoms

There are many symptoms of cancer that women should be aware of.  The signs of breast cancer typically are seen around the chest area. The most noticeable change is a persistent lump in the breast or underarm (“Symptoms and Signs”, 2015). Other symptoms of the breast include indentation, tenderness, and a red pitted surface (“Symptoms and Signs”, 2015). Breast size, texture and temperature may change as well (“Symptoms and Signs”, 2015). As for the nipples, retraction, dimpling, itching, burning, and discharge are associated with breast cancer (“Symptoms and Signs”, 2015). On the other hand, the symptoms of cervical cancer are more focused on the vaginal region. There are also less indications of cervical cancer present, which makes regular screening even more important. Symptoms of cervical cancer include pain during sex, irregular vaginal discharge, and vaginal bleeding that occurs outside of the menstrual cycle (“Cervical Cancer”, 2014). If any of these symptoms listed above are present, it is vital that a doctor is consulted immediately and tests are run to find whether cancer is causing these issues.

Screenings

There are a number of tools that test for breast cancer and cervical cancer. For breast cancer, the most convenient method is a breast exam. A breast exam is when either the individual them self or a doctor feels the breast for lumps or changes in the size/shape (“What Screening Tests”, 2014). Women can also be tested with a mammogram, which is an x-ray of the breast (2014). According to the American Cancer Society it is recommended that women begin receiving clinical breast exams at least 1 every 3 years when they turn 20, later increasing to once a year when they turn 40 along with receiving a mammogram once a year as well (2014).

Cervical cancer can be detected by a Pap smear or an HPV test. A pap smear is when the doctor uses a tool (which looks like a long q tip) to scrape to cervix in order to collect cervical cells which are sent to the lab for testing (“What Should I Know”, 2014).  The HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is a sexual transmitted disease that can cause regular cervical cells to turn cancerous (2014). It is recommended to receive yearly pap smears beginning at the age of 21, and to begin co-testing for HPV at the age of 30 (2014).

Treatment

If one of the tests for breast cancer or cervical cancer is positive, there are a number of treatment options to help combat the disease. Breast cancer and cervical cancer can generally be treated by the same techniques. The most common form of treatment is surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In surgery, a doctor will cut out the cancerous tissue (“How is Breast”, 2014). In radiation therapy, high energy rays are beamed at the affected area from a machine outside the body (2014). Lastly, chemotherapy is medicine that it taken orally and intravenously that is designed to kill all cancer cells throughout the body (2014). These treatments are often combined to obtain the best results. There are also a lot of dangerous and unpleasant side effects that accompany these techniques.

Prevention

While cancer is sometimes brought upon people by their genes or just bad luck, there are many ways to decrease the risk. To reduce the chances of getting either breast or cervical cancer, the most prevalent recommendation is to quit smoking. For cervical cancer, it is also encouraged to practice safe sex, limit sexual partners and get the HPV vaccine (“What Do I Do”, 2014). For breast cancer prevention, there is strong endorsement of exercise, healthy diet, limiting alcohol intake and breast feeding (“Breast Cancer Prevention”, 2012). All of these recommendations are lifestyle changes that can be accomplished with effort and determination.

Show Me Healthy Women

Fortunately, there are many programs that have taken initiative in the fight against breast cancer and

cervical cancer. One of these programs is located in Missouri and is called “Show 

Me Healthy Women”. The goal of “Show Me Healthy Women” is to provide free breast cancer and

Healthy Women”). With 164 locations (“Show Me Healthy Women”), this program is making a 

huge difference in the lives of many women. 

Be Healthy. Be Empowered.

References

American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer. (2015, March 11). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.cancer.org/healthy/findcancerearly/cancerscreeningguidelines/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer

Breast Cancer Prevention: How To Reduce Your Risk. (2012, December 12). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/breast-cancer-prevention/art-20044676

Cervical Cancer-Symptoms. (2014, November 14). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer-symptoms

How Is Breast Cancer Treated? (2014, July 21). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/treatment.htm

MCDC Census Profiles. (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2015, from http://census.missouri.edu/census2010/report.php?g=05000US29221|04000US29

Show Me Healthy Women. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/chronic/showmehealthywomen/

Symptoms and Signs: The National Breast Cancer Foundation. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-symptoms-and-signs

U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics. (2015, May 11). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics

What Are the Key Statistics About Cervical Cancer? (2015, February 26). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/detailedguide/cervical-cancer-key-statistics

What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Cervical Cancer? (2014, March 7). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/prevention.htm

What Screening Tests Are There? (2014, October 7). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm

What Should I Know About Screening? (2014, March 7). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htm

Women's Health Profile for Washington County. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://health.mo.gov/data/mica/ASPsWomensHealth/header.php?cnty=221