Cancer is a general term for the abnormal growth of cells in the body. There are millions of cells in the body, and each cell contains DNA (the genetic blueprint for life). DNA provides millions of messages to the genes, which tell the body how to grow, function and behave. Sometimes there is a mistake in one of the messages, called a mutation. Cancer results when a gene sends the wrong message to a cell and the cell multiplies repeatedly. As the cancer cells grow it may be felt in the form of a solid mass or bump or lump. The words tumor, mass, nodule, or lump are all used to refer to a collection of cells. A mass can be benign (no cancer) or malignant (cancer) but only a biopsy or sampling of the cells can determine a cancer diagnosis.
Each year, 78,000 women in the United States learn they have a gynecologic cancer. Although these cancers are often grouped together, they vary widely in their causes, risk factors, detection, treatment and chance of a cure. For more information about breast and gynecologic cancers, click on the links below.
- Breast cancer. One out of eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Fortunately, death rates from breast cancer have declined recently as a result of improved education and scientific advances that have led to earlier detection and more effective treatments.
- Cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death for women worldwide. In the United States, approximately 4,000 women die each year from cervical cancer, but worldwide, cervical cancer claims more than 190,000 lives annually. With the use of the Pap smear, cervical cancer can be detected early and is highly curable. An HPV vaccine that can potentially prevent cervical cancer has been approved for girls age 9-26.
- Ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths among women and is responsible for more deaths than the other gynecologic cancers combined. Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the "cancer that whispers" because its symptoms are vague, and a diagnosis is often not made until the cancer is advanced. There is currently no effective screening test available for the early detection of ovarian cancer.
- Uterine (endometrial) cancer. Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States, diagnosed in approximately 40,000 women each year. It often presents with early symptons of abnormal vaginal bleeding and therefore diagnosed in it's early and curable stage. However, death rates from uterine cancer have been on the rise and have more than doubled over the last five years.
- Vulvar cancer. Vulvar cancer is relatively rare, accounting for approximately four percent of all gynecologic cancers. Vulvar cancer is highly curable if detected early, but the only standard screening for the disease is a pelvic exam.
Although most cancers are not hereditary, some cases do involve an inherited risk for a specific cancer. Everyone has BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which normally help to prevent cancer by telling DNA to instruct cells not to grow abnormally. However, some individuals inherit a mutation in one of these genes, possibly resulting in the DNA allowing cells to grow abnormally.
Working in collaboration with the GenRISK® Adult Genetics Program at Cedars-Sinai, the Women's Cancer Research Institute can help patients determine their genetic risk for cancer. For more information, click the links* below.
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