Screening and vaccination: Turning the tide on gynaecologic cancers
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Published on 30 August 2022
Are you up-to-date with your gynaecologic screening? Regular screening and seeing a doctor for unusual symptoms such as pain and bleeding can make a difference in the early detection of conditions and cancers affecting the female reproductive organs.
“Womb cancer or uterine cancer is the most common gynaecologic cancer diagnosed in Singapore,” said Dr Pearl Tong, Consultant, Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, National University
Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS). It is also known as endometrial cancer, which occurs in the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. Dr Tong also mentioned, “Ovarian cancer and cervical cancer are at the fifth and tenth spots respectively, accounting
for 4.9% and 2.8% of all new cancers diagnosed in females.”
based on your risk(including the feasibility of genetics counselling and testing). UterusEndometriumCervixOvaryFimbriaeFallopianTube(Oviduct)VaginaAbnormal vaginal bleeding ordischarge aftermenopause orin betweenPain in the pelvis orabdominal areaFeeling full quickly ortrouble eatingUnexplained bloating, abdominal orback painA more frequentand urgent need to urinate and/orconstipationSudden and unexplained weight lossConstant fatigueChanges in appetite and/ordigestionCervical cancer is caused by prior exposure to the human papilloma virus (HPV)Smokingincreases the risk of cervical cancerA family history of ovarian cancer or breast cancer is associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancerUse of hormone treatmentis linked to higher risk of uterine cancerObesityincreases the risk of uterine cancerScreeningScreening saves lives and for cervical cancer, this is certainly true. As Dr Lim Li Min, Associate Consultant, Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University Hospital and Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, NCIS, pointed out, “Regular screening has been shown to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer as well as deaths from the disease.” Screening for cervical cancer involves a PAP smear, where a sample of cells are taken from the cervix and studied for changes over time, which helps to spot pre-cancer. It is recommended at three-yearly intervals for women aged between 25 to 29 years old. For women who are 30 to 69 years old, a test for the human papillomavirus (HPV) is recommended at five-yearly intervals.In addition to screening for cancer, Dr Lim also pointed out another effective tool in tackling cervical cancer: the HPV vaccine. “Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by certain high-risk strains of HPV,” she explained, “The advent of HPV vaccination makes cervical cancer the only preventable cancer. The vaccine has shown strong efficacy in preventing pre-cancers and cancers of the cervix as well as other organs such as the vulva, vagina, anus and oropharynx.”In Singapore, three types of HPV vaccines currently available:Together, screening and vaccination will help bring down the numbers of cervical cancer. Dr Lim emphasised, “All vaccinated women should continue to attend regular cervical cancer screening as none of the vaccines afford 100% prevention against cervical cancer.”HPV vaccine typeCervarix (2-valent vaccine)Gardasil (4-valent vaccine)Gardasil 9(9-valent vaccine)Prevents70% of cervical cancer70% of cervical cancer and genital warts90% of cervical cancer and genital wartsRegime2 to 3 doses, depending on age rangeRecommended forMales and females between 9 to 26 yearsMales and females between 9 to 45 yearsUterine CancerAlso known as womb/endometrial cancer, this cancer occurs in the lining (endometrium) of the uterusOvarian CancerCell mutations lead to abnormal growths in one/both hormone and egg-producing organs located at either side of the uterusCervical Cancer The cancer affects the cervix, the the neck of the womb that connects the uterus to the vagina4thmost commoncancer affecting womenAffects 7.2% of women5thmost commoncancer affecting womenAffects 4.9%of women10thmost common cancer affecting womenAffects 2.8% of womenGynaecologic CancersWATCH FORTHE DANGER SIGNSYou knowyour body best. Ifyou experiencepersistentgynaecologic symptoms that do not respond orgetworse despite treatment,take a proactive step toseek help.
