September Is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 29 Aug 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, and The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) is making experts available to discuss the risks, treatment and prevention options surrounding the various forms of this disease. Gynecologic cancer is the growth and spread of cancer cells in the cervix, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina and vulva. According to the American Cancer Society, 80,600 new cases of gynecologic cancer will be diagnosed nationwide this year with 27,400 deaths. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Quick Facts:

Warning signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers vary depending on type, but may include:

-- Pain or pressure in the pelvic area --Unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding -- Frequent abdominal bloating or swelling -- A sore that does not heal

Risk factors for gynecologic cancers vary depending on type, but may include:

-- Family history

-- Infertility

-- Advanced age

-- Obesity

CINJ experts available for comment include:

Lorna Rodríguez, MD, PhD, chief of gynecologic oncology, CINJ, and professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Rodriguez can discuss the importance of annual screenings and the benefits of the cancer vaccination designed to prevent the human papillomavirus (HPV), which the Centers for Disease Control has declared "the main cause" of cervical cancer.

Darlene G. Gibbon, MD, clinical director of gynecologic oncology at CINJ; and assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Gibbon's clinical specialty lies in the areas of clinical trial developments; new therapeutics in ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancers; and fertility issues in cancer survivors.

Wilberto Nieves-Neira, MD, gynecologic oncologist, CINJ, and assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Nieves-Neira has a long-standing interest in biological therapies, which is directly related to vaccines, specifically the HPV vaccine. He can speak about the HPV vaccination as it pertains to primary healthcare providers and how they address the issue with their patients.

Ami Vaidya, MD, gynecologic oncologist, CINJ, and assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Vaidya can discuss the procedure of minimally invasive cancer surgery and radical trachelectomy, which is a fertility-sparing surgical procedure for early stage cervical cancer.

Source: Cancer Institute of New Jersey