Article Category: Highlights

Lower Your Risk & Recognize Signs of Gynecological Cancer

Published on September 27, 2021

Last updated 08:28 AM August 24, 2023

Woman stretching on the floor with a set of dumbbells and hand weights.

In recent years, most cervical cancers have become completely preventable with a vaccine, and there are screening tests to identify it early. However, it’s important for women to understand the warning signs of gynecological cancers that don’t have screening tests, such as:

Endometrial (uterine) cancer
Ovarian cancer
Vaginal cancer
Vulvar cancer
Other rare types

Lower your risk for gynecological cancer

At your annual women’s health appointment, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about your family history and lifestyle choices that can make a positive impact on your health. Here are some ideas to consider lowering your risk for different types of gynecological cancer:

Share your family history with your healthcare provider. Only about 5 to 10% of gynecological cancers are genetic, according to Wellstar Gynecologic Oncologist Dr. Amy Carroll. However, some patients may benefit from genetic risk assessment, which looks for hereditary gene mutations that increase an individual’s risk for ovarian cancer.
Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. Women who are overweight have a higher risk of being diagnosed with the most common type of endometrial (uterine) cancer– and for the cancer to return after treatment. This is a challenge for many people and your health providers want you to feel empowered–not embarrassed–to discuss your BMI, nutrition, weight reduction and wellness.
Stay tobacco-free or quit tobacco. Again, many health providers can help women with education and resources to quit smoking or vaping for the long haul. Quitting tobacco can reduce your risk for some gynecological cancers and many other health conditions.

Watch for changes in your body & talk to your doctor

Because there are no screening tests for gynecological cancers other than cervical cancer, it is important for women to be educated on the signs and symptoms—and to act on them.

“Unfortunately, there are many vague symptoms associated with a lot of gynecologic issues,” Dr. Carroll said. “Typically, I tell people if you have any symptom that doesn’t come and go but persists for a couple weeks or more, it’s worthwhile to talk to somebody about it.”

Dr. Carroll said that one symptom patients should always discuss with their provider is post-menopausal bleeding. Also, while most people experience occasional bloating, persistent bloating can be a sign of ovarian cancer and should be discussed with a provider, she said.

Signs & symptoms of gynecological cancer

Some gynecological symptoms to discuss with your doctor include:

Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Excessively heavy menstrual cycles
Abnormal bleeding between periods
Unexplained pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating or nausea
Discharge or pain with intercourse
Severe change in bowel or bladder habits
A heavy feeling in the pelvis
A sore or lump in your vulva

The highest level of treatment for gynecological cancer

The physicians and healthcare teams at Wellstar are focused on keeping women healthy and preventing and lowering the risk of cancer and other health conditions. However, when a woman does get gynecological cancer, she has access to a team of experienced and knowledgeable gynecological cancer experts close to home.

Our gynecologic cancer care program includes:

A gynecological cancer-specific multidisciplinary tumor conference where gynecological oncologists, radiation and pathologists meet to diagnose and plan treatment.
Gynecologic cancer surgeons who perform procedures robotically, laparoscopically or as open procedures, based on evidence-based practices that lead to the best outcomes.
A robust support network that includes cancer-specific nutritional counseling, genetic counseling, nurse navigation, psychological counseling and more.

Wellstar Research Institute and Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers work closely with select local and national partners to give patients access to the latest clinical trials without leaving their communities.

Most health plans cover preventative care services—like vaccines and screening tests—at no additional cost. For people without insurance, Wellstar practices have low-cost annual exams that include evaluation for cervical cancer and a Pap test if it is medically appropriate. To find a physician, call (770) 956-STAR (7827) or schedule online by clicking the “Book Now” button at the top of any page.

Learn more about gynecological cancer

Take control of your health and learn easy ways to prevent and screen for cervical cancer.

If you have any symptom that doesn’t come and go but persists for a couple weeks or more, it’s worthwhile to talk to somebody about it.

- Dr. Amy Carroll

Wellstar Gynecologic Oncologist

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Amy Rae Carroll Cancer Care Womens Health
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Wellstar & Someone Cares Team Up to Serve Vulnerable Communities

It’s simple for many of us to find a primary care physician or advanced practice provider that we trust and feel comfortable with. By booking online or making a quick phone call, we can make an appointment and feel confident about the level of care we will receive. We know how and where to get the help we need when we need it.

Many people lack access to care, making their path to high-quality care more challenging. It could be because they don’t have insurance, are unable to pay for medical services or don’t have a way to get to their appointments. This isn’t how it should be.

At Wellstar, we believe every person deserves to live their healthiest life, regardless of their circumstances. The Wellstar Center for Health Equity has partnered with local clinics like Someone Cares to make healthcare accessible to everyone in our communities.

A safe and welcoming space

People who rely on Someone Cares include those who are underinsured or have difficulty accessing healthcare due to transportation or financial issues. The clinic is a one-stop shop that offers care at a brick-and-mortar location in Marietta. Services include:

Primary care
Addiction treatment
Behavioral healthcare
Lab services, including confidential HIV/AIDS testing
Onsite pharmacies
Other diagnostic testing
Treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

In addition to their Marietta clinic, Someone Cares has two mobile units. They travel to communities throughout mtro Atlanta to provide HIV and STD testing, health screenings, health education and vaccinations. It’s a convenient option that allows people to get the care they need, where and when they need it.

Someone Cares also offers specialized services for individuals in the transgender community, including gender-affirming hormone therapy.

How Wellstar supports Someone Cares

Wellstar and Someone Cares began their partnership in 2023 when the organization was applying to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

FQHCs are community-based centers that receive funds from the federal government to provide primary healthcare services in underserved areas. FQHCs typically work with a hospital or health system to ensure patients have easier access to services that are unavailable in the primary care setting, such as inpatient behavioral health services.

Someone Cares will officially become a FQHC in February 2025. The designation allows them to expand their services, further supporting vulnerable communities.

Each partnership is unique

Someone Cares is one of about a half-dozen clinics in the Wellstar Community Clinic Network. The Wellstar Center for Health Equity launched the network eight years ago to serve the most under-resourced populations in our communities better.

Each partnership is unique and customized to the community-based clinic’s needs. A few examples of the services we provide include:

Lab services
Medical imaging
Patient education
Reduced-cost outpatient medical care and health screenings
Telehealth services

We’re grateful for our Community Clinic Network partners, who help Wellstar create a healthier Georgia for all. Together, we’re making a difference in people’s lives across the state.

Learn more about the Wellstar Center for Health Equity.

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Take the Mystery Out of Menopause with Wellstar

From sleepless nights to hot flashes and brain fog to vaginal symptoms, many women feel isolated or embarrassed about discussing what they go through during menopause. At Wellstar, our compassionate women’s health team provides individualized care to help women navigate this stage of life, demystify menopause and give women back their confidence during this stage of life.

Menopause means no more periods. Period.

Menopause is defined as the permanent absence of a period for 12 consecutive months. The average age of menopause in the U.S is 52, but generally, women will experience menopause between ages 45 to 55.

Perimenopause is the four- to seven-year period prior to menopause when women are having menopausal symptoms.

“During perimenopause, cycle lengths will vary. Many women experience their periods coming closer together. Hot flashes and night sweats are also common during this transition,” said Wellstar Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Karin Hulon.

Women may also experience brain fog, mood swings, fatigue, trouble sleeping, skin and hair changes, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, painful sex, joint pain or inability to lose weight. Every woman is unique and may not experience the same severity of symptoms. The menopause experience may be influenced by genetics, race or environmental factors.

Many symptoms can be explained by a decrease in estrogen.

The ovaries are the main producers of estrogen. As women age, ovarian follicular function decreases, leading to decreasing levels of estrogen. These levels can also radically decrease due to surgery, infection, medications or radiation.

“Estrogen receptors are found all over our bodies. A decrease in estrogen can affect the part of the brain involved in thermoregulation, resulting in hot flashes and night sweats,” said Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health Dr. Paula Greaves. “Research suggests that women who have hot flashes may be at higher risk for developing heart disease. Additionally, research shows that African American women experience more intense and more frequent hot flashes for a longer duration.”

Estrogen receptors are located in the vagina, vulva, bladder and urethra, helping to maintain blood flow, tissue turgor and microbial balance. Therefore, a decrease in estrogen can lead to vaginal dryness and atrophy, making intercourse painful. The pH of the vagina also changes with decreased estrogen, increasing the risk of infections or urinary leakage.

These are only some examples of how menopause can impact women’s health and quality of life, and it’s important to treat menopausal symptoms as soon as possible.

Hormonal and non-hormonal treatments are available and can be beneficial—regardless of symptoms.

Your care team will discuss your concerns and health history to tailor a safe, personalized plan that fits your needs. The choice should be guided by symptoms, medical history, contraindications and shared decision making. There are FDA-approved hormonal as well as non-hormonal options for treatment of hot flashes, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and even decreased libido.

“We must promote lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, weight loss and cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help decrease symptoms,” said Dr. Greaves.

Even if you no longer have periods, you should still see your OB/GYN.

“Women: You need your mammograms and your health and cancer screenings, including Pap smears until age 65. Women who have had abnormal Pap smears in the past may need to continue Pap smears beyond age 65,” Hulon said. “Even if you’ve had a hysterectomy and you no longer have a uterus, you still need to ensure pelvic floor health.”

If you experience vaginal bleeding after menopause, schedule an appointment with your women’s health care team.

“The cause of bleeding could be something as simple as vaginal tearing due to dryness or as serious as endometrial cancer,” Hulon said.

Whatever your health concerns may be, Wellstar will partner with you to help you stay healthy. Other diseases can masquerade as menopause, so if something is worrying you or stopping you from feeling your best, mention it to your clinician.

“For example, if you start having joint pain, that may not be menopause. That may be arthritis. Fatigue, weight gain or night sweats may be a sign of thyroid disease, not menopause,” Dr. Greaves said. “Trust and open communication have been instrumental in aiding gynecologists to uncover other diseases affecting our patients who assumed they were menopausal.”

Wellstar OB/GYN clinicians specialize in addressing the health needs of women and are experienced in caring for people going through menopause.

“It is important when you’re looking for a clinician to find someone who specializes in women’s health and who has a passion for treating women entering the menopause transition,” Hulon said. “Find someone who will listen to you, not dismiss you, will make you feel comfortable and treat you as an individual.”

While troubling symptoms of menopause may be common, you don’t have to go through it alone.

“With increasing life expectancy, women will spend more than 40% of their life in this life stage. Therefore, we need to focus our efforts in providing a smooth transition for every woman into menopause so she can enjoy her best years yet,” Dr. Greaves stated.

Wellstar Women’s Health offers compassionate care through menopause, answering your questions and helping to manage your symptoms. Many of our clinicians are certified menopause practitioners. Find a Wellstar OB/GYN location near you.

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Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center’s Pharmacogenomics Program may Help Reduce Side Effects From Chemotherapy for Some Patients

The Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center Pharmacogenomics Program (CaPP) has launched pharmacogenomics testing services for the center’s patients and oncologists. Pharmacogenomics employs genetic sequence alterations in drug metabolism genes to predict toxicity.

The tests measure changes in genes that make proteins that metabolize common chemotherapy drugs. If a patient has a mutation in these genes, their metabolism will not handle the drug properly. This may cause the patient to become sick.

“These tests can help people avoid severe toxicity from chemotherapy. We want to optimize treatment for patients who need a lower dose when they have any gene mutation,” said Dr. John W. Henson, director of neuro-oncology at the Medical College of Georgia and the Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center. The Pharmacogenomics Program is co-led by Henson in the Hereditary Cancer Clinic and Dr. Katherine Saunders-Wohlfrom in Oncology Pharmacy.

The program’s initial focus will be on patients with gastrointestinal cancers in conjunction with Dr. Asha Nayak. Henson said this is where the biggest impact will come right away. Other service lines, including breast cancer, will benefit as more testing is done.

“This is a valuable message to the community,” said Henson. “CaPP services will include testing support, report interpretation, document management, clinician consultation, and patient and family consultation.”

Henson also thanked Dr. Brandy D. Gunsolus in Clinical Laboratory Science for her help with the program, saying she was instrumental in developing the order process.