If
you are about to read this guide to cervical, uterine and ovarian cancer,
you may be in one of several situations: You have a symptom such as vaginal
bleeding that requires evaluation; you may have had an abnormal Pap test;
or you may have had a biopsy that resulted in the diagnosis of a gynecologic
cancer and are in the process of understanding your treatment options.
The purpose of this guide is to clarify the complex terms and procedures
that comprise each process, from diagnosis to therapy and recovery. You
will be making important decisions and this guide is designed to help
you each step of the way, whatever treatment you may need.
Gynecologic cancer refers to all cancers of the female genital tract.
Each of the major gynecologic cancers -- cervical, uterine and ovarian
-- presents unique challenges. Cervical cancer is detectable with routine
screening and can be picked up early thanks to the Pap test. Developed
by Dr. George Papanicolaou in the 1940s, the Pap test, sometimes called
a Pap smear, allows cervical cancer to be found in its early stages by
testing women who may or may not be experiencing symptoms. Fewer women
die of cervical cancer each year because of the Pap test. Uterine, or
endometrial, cancer also has a very high cure rate when found early. Ovarian
cancer presents a particular challenge, but with treatment advances, women
are living longer than ever and many are being cured.
If you have been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, this guide will
assist you with understanding your test results and the rationale for
treatment. It will also familiarize you with sometimes confusing terminology
and prepare you as you go through the steps of diagnosis and therapy.
We at the Cancer Center of Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt
Hospital Center, and the Othmer Cancer Center of Long Island College Hospital
are committed to providing patients with the necessary information to
ensure that they participate in all aspects of their health care.
It is important for patients to feel comfortable with the care they receive.
Therefore, you should use this guide as a reference whenever you have
a question or do not clearly understand a diagnostic procedure or treatment
process. At the same time, we encourage you to ask your physicians, nurses
and other health care professionals questions whenever you do not completely
understand any aspect of your care. It may also be helpful to bring your
partner or a friend with you to help you ask questions. To further assist
you, we have provided a list of additional resources at the end of this
guide.
Continuum Health Partners' expert gynecologic oncology services are available
at Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and
Long Island College Hospital. Together, they offer a comprehensive network
of specialists who are committed to excellence in patient care.
Gynecologic oncology services are provided by the Obstetrics and Gynecology
Department of each hospital as well as the Cancer Center of Beth Israel
Medical Center and the Othmer Cancer Center of Long Island College Hospital.
Members of each multi-disciplinary health care team are dedicated to addressing
all aspects of care for women with gynecologic cancer, including family
support, social services and patient education.
It is important for women to understand each step involved in the diagnosis
and treatment of ovarian, cervical and uterine cancer. Early detection
and proper treatment can lead to an excellent prognosis for these cancers.