Gynecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman’s reproductive organ. They are also cancers which begin in different places within a woman’s pelvis, which is the area below the stomach and in between the hip bones.
According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are five main gynecologic cancers – cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar cancers.
- Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus.
- Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, which are located on each side of the uterus.
- Uterine cancer begins in the uterus, the pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant.
- Vaginal cancer begins in the vagina, which is the hollow, tube-like channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body.
- Vulvar cancer begins in the vulva, the outer part of the female genital organs.
Each of these gynecologic cancers have different symptoms so it is important to go through regular health screenings for early detection and diagnosis. If you are diagnosed, your primary health care physician will issue for you a referral to see a specialist at HMC for prompt treatment.
