Newswise — Gynecologic cancer awarenessDr. Tri Dinh, gynecologic oncologist, The Methodist Hospital, Houston
1) Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. Screening with the Pap smear has markedly decreased the incidence of cervical cancer in the United States over the past 40 years. Nationwide, though, about one-third of false negative Pap results are due to rare abnormal cells that were missed or misclassified. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 11,500 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus, and more than 90 percent of women diagnosed with cervical cancer also have HPV.
The cancer is highly curable if detected early, and regular Pap screenings are key to help prevent cervical cancer.
2) A breast-ovarian cancer gene test is a blood test that shows whether a woman has breast cancer or ovarian cancer gene mutations, known as BRCA 1 or 2, which increases a woman's chance of having breast, ovarian or other cancers.Every woman is born with the breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA 1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA 2). For unknown reasons, these genes can mutate, putting women at increased risk for developing breast cancer compared with women who do not have these mutations. There is a 50-50 chance the mutated genes can be passed on to children, both girls and boys. Patients with multiple family members who have breast or ovarian cancer should be tested for BRCA 1 and 2. Most importantly, education and awareness about gynecologic cancers and family history, as well as annual well-woman exams, are keys to reducing the incidence of these diseases.
MRI/breast cancer test for women with implantsDr. Luz Venta, director of Breast Imaging, The Methodist Hospital, Houston
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can make it easier for doctors to detect breast cancer in its early stages in women with implants and dense breast tissue. An MRI gives a three-dimensional image of the breast, which allows a physician to see the detailed anatomy, down to the arteries and veins. The scan also provides a clearer picture for women with dense breast tissue, which is made up of less fat and more glands and ligaments, and shows up as a white area on a mammogram. Tumors also show up as white areas on the film, so the MRI technology can prevent a potentially devastating misdiagnosis.
A three-year research study, conducted at 17 different sites throughout the U.S., Canada and Germany, of more than 1,000 women, all with suspicious lesions on their mammograms, found that MRI was twice as effective as a regular mammogram in detecting tumors in these women.
Women's Heart HealthDr. Karla Kurrelmeyer, cardiologist, Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Houston
Heart disease is the nation's number one killer of women. But, the well-known heart attack symptoms " acute pain, tightness, burning and a dull ache in the chest " describe what men typically experience during an attack. For many women the signs of a heart attack are completely different and can go unrecognized. Women tend to ignore signs of heart attack, thus increasing the likelihood of tragic consequences. With heightened attention to the facts about symptoms and treatments, much of this can be prevented.
Most people know to get to an emergency room immediately when they've identified that they're having a heart attack. However, research shows that women go to the hospital on average one full hour later than men do after experiencing an attack. Most benefits of medical treatment occur in the first six hours after an attack, so delayed medical treatment reduces chances of full recovery.
Clot-buster drugs may be immediately given to break up the clot and allow blood to get through to the heart. If necessary a balloon or a stent can be placed in the clogged artery to open the artery and strengthen the artery wall. Sometimes surgery and other procedures are required.
Maintain low cholesterol levels, exercise and quit smoking. If you have diabetes, keep it under control. Monitor your blood pressure, and keep it in check. Know your family medical history. If there is a history of heart disease, start earlier and be even more diligent about prevention.
Stroke in womenJan Flewelling, Stroke Outreach Program Coordinator, Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston
Although cardiovascular disease, including stroke, has generally been thought of as a man's disease, more women suffer strokes than men, and their mortality rate is higher. Women account for more than 60 percent of stroke deaths. While these facts and statistics seem daunting, education and awareness are keys to helping reduce the incidence of stroke in women.
While women need to be aware of the common risk factors for stroke " high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol - some gender specific risks can also alter a woman's chances of suffering a stroke. Women who suffer from migraines with visual aura have a significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke. Brain aneurysms, one of the causes of hemorrhagic strokes, are more prevalent in women. Autoimmune diseases, including diabetes and lupus, are more prevalent in women and also contribute to the risk of stroke. Birth control pills are linked to increased blood clots, a contributing factor to stroke that can be worsened by cigarette smoking and increasing age. Hormonal changes during menopause also contribute to rising cholesterol levels in women. Finally, ethnicity also plays a role in a woman's chances of suffering stroke. African-American and Latino women tend to be at higher risk of stroke.
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