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. 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
Guest
: Kevin Holcomb, MD
From the Show: Staying Well
Summary: Most gynecological cancers are hard to diagnose because of their vague symptoms.
Air Date: 4/7/14
Duration: 10
Host: Melanie Cole, MS
