Women who are past child-bearing age sometimes assume they no longer need regular gynecological checkups, that younger women have a greater risk for reproductive cancers -- when in reality, those risks hold steady or even increase as women grow older.

The following recommendations offer the best chance to find reproductive cancers early, when treatments are most effective.

• Women at average risk should talk with their doctors about the need for periodic, thorough pelvic exams to look for signs of ovarian, cervical, and uterine (endometrial) cancer. In general, the risk for these cancers increases with age. The risk for ovarian cancer doesn't peak until a woman is in her late 70s.
• Women should also stay aware of their bodies. Early ovarian cancer may not produce any noticeable symptoms, but if there is anything unusual or different, women should report it to a doctor right away.
• Be alert for the possible symptoms of ovarian cancer listed below, but remember they are often signs of something else, too.
• Swelling of the stomach
• Persistent problems such as gas, bloating, stomach pain, or indigestion
• Bleeding between menstrual cycles (periods) or after menopause
• Pelvic, leg, or back pain
• Feeling of pressure in the pelvis
• Unexplained weight loss or gain
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue
• Women with a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, such as those with a strong family history of this disease, should talk with a doctor about specific medical tests that look for early signs of the disease and about measures that may help reduce the risk for ovarian cancer.

It's estimated that 20,180 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006. When it's found and treated at the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 94%. However, only about 19% of all cases are identified at that stage.

Ovarian cancer is just one of the cancers women face. Women should also ask their doctors about these other cancers:

Breast cancer -- Women 40 and older should have annual mammograms and clinical breast exams. Women 20 and older should have a clinical breast exam as part of a routine physical exam, preferably every 3 years. Women should be aware of how their breasts look and feel and report any changes promptly to their doctors. Breast self-exams are an additional option.

Cervical cancer
Most women who have had a complete hysterectomy and many women age 70 and older may not need to continue screening. More detailed screening guidelines for cervical cancer, including advice for women with unusual situations or health histories, is available on the cervical cancer pages of www.cancer.org.

Uterine (endometrial) cancer -- Because most endometrial cancer is diagnosed at an early stage as a result of post-menopausal bleeding, all women are encouraged to report any unexpected bleeding or spotting to their doctor.

Colon cancer -- Starting at age 50, women who are at average risk for developing the disease should have one of the following:

For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Published 9/01/06

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