No Obstacle to Having Screening Tests in Gynecological Cancers

As with all cancers, early diagnosis and screening tests are vital in gynecological cancers. However, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecologic Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal warned that delays in imaging, diagnosis, and treatment stages of gynecological cancers expose patients to the progression of cancer. Orhan Ünal also gave significant information about gynecological cancers and diagnostic methods.
Emphasizing that early diagnosis and screening tests increase the chances of success in the treatment of gynecological cancers, which is the second most common cancer among women in our country according to the data of the Ministry of Health, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal underlined that diagnostic and screening tests should not be late for any reason.

The Covid-19 pandemic experienced in the last year and the accompanying social isolation can lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancers as well as all types of cancer. The Covid-19 pandemic does not pose an obstacle to screening tests in people at risk for cancer treatment and diagnosis of the disease. Since March, treatment areas in hospitals have been restricted. Hence, the pandemic does not pose an obstacle to screening tests for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

These Tests Save lives

Reminding that one woman in the world dies every two minutes due to cervical cancer, which is among the most common cancers among women, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal gave the following information on the subject:  “Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is an important risk factor in the formation of cervical cancer, and cervical cancer can be detected even in the pre-cancer period when there are cellular changes that do not give clinical symptoms with the Pap Smear screening test. In this way, treatment is possible in the pre-cancer period.” Indicating that all women between the ages of 21-65 will have taken sufficient precautions by having a Pap Smear test (which we call co-test) every 5 years, or  HPV, regularly, that is, every 3 years, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal said: “If you have a risk factor or if problematic cells are seen as a result of the test, this test should be repeated at intervals deemed appropriate by the doctor or colposcopy should be performed.”

Beware of Those Especially with Cysts and Fibroids! 

Warning that people who have learned about the presence of ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids should not delay their control examinations, Yeditepe University Hospital Gynecological Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal continued as follows: “I also recommend that every woman after the age of forty should have a gynecological examination and ultrasound examination once a year, even if s/he does not have any complaints. In ultrasonography, which essentially becomes part of the gynecological examination, it is possible to evaluate the possibility of rapidly growing fibroids turning into malignant tumors called sarcomas, and at the same time, the uterus and ovaries can be examined in detail, so that if a suspicious mass is detected, further examinations and examinations are made.
Although ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that can occur in women in all age groups, it is noteworthy that the incidence of the disease increases with advanced age after menopause. Ovarian cancer, which does not show symptoms at an early stage but is often treatable when diagnosed on examination, can become a fatal disease that can prolong the treatment process when the diagnosis is delayed.''
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