Gynaecological Cancer: Myths & Facts

Gynae cancers are the most delayed detected cancers as we females always ignore the red flags. The main reason behind this is the wrong information circulating in society about gynecological issues and cancers. And the other reason is the fear of getting anything diagnosed as they fear that it will disturb the whole family.

Here are the most common misconceptions about gynae cancers.

Myth 1: Biopsy can spread the cancer.

Fact: Biopsy of solid types of cancer (breast, cervix, uterus, vulvovaginal) doesn't spread cancer cells. However, a biopsy of ovarian cystic (fluid-filled mass) can spread the cancer. However, advanced ovarian cancer can spread to the abdomen making solid lumps which can be biopsies as the cancer has already spread to other tissues.

Myth 2: If I had a hysterectomy done I can't have gynae cancer.

Fact: Even after a hysterectomy, you can have cancer developing in the vagina vault which is the cut end inside the vagina. The most common symptom of it is bleeding/ discharge even after 2-3 months of hysterectomy. Also, if your tubes and ovaries were not removed while the hysterectomy you can have tubal /ovarian cancer.

Myth 3: Cancer can't be prevented.

Fact: Cancers are preventable. We need to understand cervical cancer has already got an effective vaccine against it. Also, uterine and ovarian cancer can be detected early if we get checked and screened. A healthy lifestyle is also a preventative measure against cancer.

Myth 4: Cancer means open surgery/laparotomy.

Fact: With the advancement of medical technology cancers are nowadays operated via Robot and the patients get discharged the next day of surgery with minimal pain.

Myth 5: I only bled once after my menopause, it can't be cancer as the bleeding stopped on its own.

Fact: One needs to understand that the majority of uterine cancer presents as post-menopausal bleeding. If you ever had a single episode of bleeding after you stopped having periods for a year then please get an ultrasound done to check the lining of the uterus and get a biopsy done to rule out cancer.

Myth 6: MRI and ultrasound didn't show any cancer so I can't have cancer.

Fact: Ultrasound and MRI are just imaging modalities that can detect any pathology in your organs, they can't be 100% in cancer detection. Not even PET scan is 100%. The only thing that is 100 % is the biopsy results.

Myth 7: An ovarian cyst can be cancerous, get it removed.

Fact: No ovarian cysts that develop after menopause can have cancerous cells however not always true. And ovarian cysts before menopause are mostly non-cancerous. You just need proper evaluation and follow-up for it.

Myth 8: I’m not at risk, because I don’t have a family history.

Fact: This is not true. Most women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer have no family history (6 out of 7 for ovarian cancer)

Myth 9: Gynaecological cancer has no symptoms (it’s a silent killer)

Fact: This is a tricky one because many women experience symptoms, but they can be similar to other benign, non-cancerous conditions, and as a consequence are often ignored. Symptoms can vary depending on the gynaecological cancer. Vaginal bleeding that is outside the normal menstrual cycle should always be investigated because it is the main symptom of endometrial cancer. Any vaginal bleeding (even a few drops of blood) after menopause should be investigated. Ovarian, cervical, or vulvar cancer may or may not present with symptoms at all.

Myth 10:  Any oncologist can treat my gynae cancer.

Fact: There are three types of oncologists - medical oncologists dealing with chemotherapy, Radiation oncologists who deal with radiotherapy and, surgical oncologist or oncosurgeon who deals with cancer surgery. 

Now one needs to understand that gynae oncologist is a super specialized branch (gynaecology and oncology) dealing with gynae cancers and or gynae pathology where you don't know if it's cancer or not (e.g. ovarian cysts/ rapid growing fibroid/ abnormal pap smear etc).

Hence a gynae oncologist deals with the surgical part of gynae cancer and carefully selects the patients who need chemo or radiotherapy instead of or in addition of surgery.

Kindly consult a gynae oncologist if you have a gynae pathology which poses a risk of cancer