Women health plays a pivotal role in a family’s health. In society women have a unique set of health care challenges and are at higher risk of developing certain conditions and diseases than men. Gynaecological  Cancers that begins in female reproductive organs are one among these diseases. These are mainly of 5 types- Cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer. 6^th type is very rare- fallopian tube cancer. All women are at risk for gynaecological cancers and risk increases with age. When found early, treatment is most effective. Among these cancers, Ovarian cancer is the deadliest cancer of female reproductive system.

Today’s fast changing lifestyle has led to imbalance in hormonal levels due to sedentary life, unhealthy food habits, increased dependency on pills, delayed marriages, reluctance to child birth and infections. Such lifestyle has increased the rate of gynaecological cancers with certain specific causes like-

Ø  Never having children

Ø  Early menarche before age of 12 years

Ø  Late menopause after age of 50 years

Ø  HPV infection

Ø  Use of oral birth control pills and fertility drugs

Ø   Hormone replacement therapy after menopause

Ø  Smoking

Women are at higher risk of gynaecological cancer due to certain health conditions like-

Ø  Obesity

Ø  Weak immune system

Ø  Diabetes

Ø  High fat diet

Ø  Excess exposure to radiation to pelvic region

Ø  HIV infection

Ø  Family history

Due to various reasons if women is affecting with gynaecological cancer the following signs and symptoms can be observed.

Ø  Abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding

Ø  Pelvic pain

Ø  Abdominal pain

Ø  Back pain

Ø  Itching, burning, tenderness, rash, sores, warts on vulva

Ø  Urgency to urinate

Ø  Constipation and bloating of abdomen

Ø  Unintentional weight loss

Ø  Reduced appetite

When such symptoms are observed one has to undergo necessary investigations at the earliest like-

Ø  Ultrasound scan, CT scan, MRI scan, colposcopy, biopsy, pap smear, HPV test, pelvic examination

Ø  Blood test for Bio markers like Ca 125, HE4, OVA 1 test

Prevention is always better than cure. So it is important to educate women regarding measures to be followed for early detection and prevention of  gynaecological cancers which are

Ø  Regular screening with PAP smear test between the age of 21-65years

Ø  HPV vaccine

Ø  Quit smoking

Ø  Healthy eating habits like having more fruits, vegetables and whole grains

Ø  Maintain healthy body weight

Ø  Moderate physical activity

Ø  Proper stress management

Ø  Limit the usage of hormonal pills

So ensure the health of women in your life because -

“If you ensure women’s health, you ensure a family’s health and thus  ensure our society’s health.”