You've been debating on whether or not a women's health exam is needed. You haven't been going annually like suggested and can't remember the last time you got yourself checked out.
Do you know the importance of getting these exams?
By routinely getting these exams, you are reducing your risk of gynecological cancers. In the U.S., endometrium cancer (uterine) is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, about 52,630 new cases of cancer of the uterus will be diagnosed in 2014. About 8,590 women will die from cancers of the uterine body.
Another major gynecological cancer is ovarian cancer, which accounts for three percent of cancers among women but causes more deaths than any other cancer of the reproductive system.
Cervical cancer forms in the tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus to the vagina). This usually is a slow growing cancer that may not have any symptoms, but can be found with regular Pap tests.
Why should you schedule your women's health exam every year?
Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, as well as an Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Dr. Kevin Holcomb, discusses why gynecological exams are important for catching the three major gynecological cancers.
3 Major Gynecological Cancers
Most gynecological cancers are hard to diagnose because of their vague symptoms.
Additional Info
- Segment Number: 4
- Audio File: staying_well/1415sw1d.mp3
- Featured Speaker: Kevin Holcomb, MD
- Organization: New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Guest Website: Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City
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Guest Bio:
Dr. Kevin Holcomb is Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital as well as an Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
He received his BA from Cornell University and attended New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. Following an internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Dr. Holcomb completed a fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn.
He has a strong clinical interest in the role of minimally invasive surgery in gynecologic oncology and serves as the Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cornell.
Dr. Holcomb has contributed to the literature regarding the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer and pre-invasive cervical lesions in HIV-positive women and the surgical management of endometrial cancer.
His dedication to medical education was recognized with the National Faculty Award by the Council of Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2002 and 2004.
He is a full member of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and a Fellow of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Holcomb has been recognized annually by Castle Connolly Ltd. and New York Magazine as a top doctor in the New York metropolitan area since 2010. - Length (mins): 10
- Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Published in
Staying Well
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