A Quick Overview of Vulvar Cancer

What is it? What causes it?

Vulvar cancer may be either squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinomas. The cancer is found on the vulva the external genitals of females. 

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes about half of all vulvar cancers. 

How many women will be diagnosed?

 Vulvar cancer is a rare gynecologic cancer. An estimated 5,510 women  will be diagnosed with vulvar cancer in 2015. An estimated 1,080 women will die from the disease in 2015. The survival rate (2005-2011) is 71.2 %.

What are the symptoms of vulvar cancer?

"Abnormal cells can grow on the surface of the vulvar skin for a long time. This condition is called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Because it is possible for VIN to become vulvar cancer, it is important to get treatment. " NCI

Signs and symptoms of vulvar cancer include a lump, bleeding, or itching.  

Is there a screening test for vulvar cancer ? 

There is no screening test for vulvar cancer. A physical exam, history  and biopsy will determine if the disease is present. 

What are the risk factors? 

vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)

human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

history of genital warts

many sexual partners

first sexual intercourse at a young age

history of abnormal Pap tests (Pap smears).

What treatments are given to women diagnosed with cervical cancer? 

 Surgery

Radiation Therapy

Chemotherapy

Biologic Therapy

 For more information please view this video by the Foundation for Women's Cancer

 

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing !

Sources:

http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/vulva.html

http://www.cancer.gov/types/vulvar

A Quick Overview of Cervical Cancer

What is it? What causes it?
There are two types of cervical cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. 
Squamous cell carcinoma begins in the thin, flat cells that line the cervix. 
Adenocarcinoma begins in cervical cells that make mucus and other fluids. The cervix is the end of the uterus and leads from the uterus to the vagina.  

There are certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause almost all cases of cervical cancer. Two HPV types, 16 and 18, are responsible for about 70 percent of all cases

How many women will be diagnosed?
There will be an estimated 12,900 women diagnosed with cervical cancer in the US in 2015. Cervical cancer will take the lives of an estimated 4,100 women in 2015.  The five year survival rate for cervical cancer is 67.8%. In 2012 there were an estimated 249,512 womenin the US living with cervical cancer.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Vaginal bleeding (including bleeding after sexual intercourse)

Unusual vaginal discharge. 

Pelvic pain

Pain during sexual intercourse.

Is there a screening test for cervical cancer ? 
 Regular screening of women between the ages of 21 and 65 years is done using the Pap Test. (http://www.cancer.gov/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=45978&version=Patient&language=English)

If the Pap test is positive and HPV test may be recommended. 

What are the risk factors? 
Though not all women who have the HPV infection will develop cervical cancer , HPV is the major cause of cervical cancer. Other risks include: 

• Giving birth to many children.
• Having many sexual partners.
• Having first sexual intercourse at a young age.
• Smoking cigarettes.
• Using oral contraceptives ("the Pill").

Is there a way to prevent cervical cancers?
Yes vaccines developed to prevent HPV infections can prevent cervical cancer. "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three vaccines to prevent HPV infection: Gardasil®, Gardasil® 9, and Cervarix®. These vaccines provide strong protection against new HPV infections, but they are not effective at treating established HPV infections. "(NCI)

What treatments are given to women diagnosed with cervical cancer? 
Women may be treated with :
Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy

For more information please visit:
Foundation for Women's Cancer brochure Understanding Cervical Cancer (http://www.foundationforwomenscancer.org/wp-content/uploads/Understanding-Cervical-Cancer-2013.pdf)

Are you a cervical cancer survivor? Visit the Cervivor website http://cervivor.org/

Dee
Every day is a Blessing!


Sources:
http://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical
http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/cervix.html

Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng Ovarian Cancer PSA , OCNA

On this Day 20 of #GCAM, I am pleased to share this Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) PSA message featuring Dr Maya Soetoro-Ng.



Thank Dr Maya Soetoro-Ng.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

A Fitting Tribute

Last night, I attended the Janice Lopez Ovarian Cancer Foundation's (JLOCF) Concert for a Cure to support ovarian cancer education and research. I have been friends with the Lopez family since 2006 when our families met to hang teal ribbons in Edison, NJ at the beginning of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Both Janice and I were diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2005. Sadly she passed away in 2009. But Team JLO continues to honor her through the wonderful works of their Foundation.

Before the Concert began Dr Lorna Rodriguez , Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey talked about Precision Medicine and the efforts made to treat the mutations found in various types of ovarian cancers.

The Concert was performed by the ENCORE Orchestra of New Jersey. What an amazing and talented orchestra. They performed songs from a number of Broadway shows and films including The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Le Miserables, Into The Woods and Lion King just to name a few. It is hard to pick a favorite but my top two were  Star(Le Miserables) and In Whatever Time We Have (Children of Eden). 

Below are some photos from the concert.

Jenna Ravenda, Julie Galorenzo, Katherine Acosta- At the Ballet

Keith White - Star

Shari Gill - Momma Will Provide

Marc Dahlia & Jenna Rivenda - In Whatever Time We Have

Felica Moss Eaton - Amazing Grace

It was an incredible event and I look forward to attending next year's concert .

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!Blessed to have heard the beautiful music of the ENCORE Orchestra.

"100 Questions and Answers about Ovarian Cancer"

I am so pleased to inform my followers that the book "100 Questions and Answers about Ovarian Cancer" is now for sale on Amazon.  I am priviledged to be the patient voice for this, the third edition of the book written by Dr Don Dizon. Thank your Don for asking me to join you on this project.

I wrote about being asked to be the patient voice in this book in the post From the Past to the Present.

You may purchase the book here.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! Blessed to be the pati 

The Adventures of Lillian Kate

Valisia and I , 6/8/14

I had the privilege of meeting Valisia LeKae  at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Survivors Day in 2014. I had reached out to her on Twitter when I first heard she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Introducing her to the other survivors and caregivers that day was a true honor.  Valisia is a survivor and Tony and Grammy nominated actress and my Teal sister.
Since finishing treatment Valisia has been dedicated to raising awareness of ovarian cancer. Recently she completed three episodes of "The Adventures of Lillian Kate"  a "true story" about Valisia's experiences.

I am pleased to share the episodes here on my blog.








Thank you Valisia for sharing your story with the world. May you continue to have many years of good health and happiness.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing

Female Cancers World Wide

Thank you Annie Ellis for sharing this image.
Additional worldwide data for cancer may be found at the WHO website:  http://globocan.iarc.fr/Pages/online.aspx       

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!