On the Coast – Families Issue 95 I August/September 2018 | Page 18

Women’s
cancer
Let’s talk lady bits
By Dr Georgia Page
W
e all know someone that has
been affected by Breast and
Gynaecological cancers. In
Australia approximately 20,000
women will be diagnosed this year
– that’s over 50 women every day!
Although breast cancer is very common,
with modern medical advances, those
diagnosed today have a 90% chance
of surviving greater than 5 years.
Gynaecological cancers include ovarian,
cervical, uterine, vaginal and vulvar
cancer. When it comes to Women’s
Cancers - early detection is what saves
life, and we can do this by:
ƒ ƒ Getting to know your body –
checking and being aware of your
lady bits!
ƒ ƒ Regular health checks with your
doctor. You get your car checked twice
yearly or yearly for a grease and oil
change – when did you last get your
body serviced? There is no method of breast
examination that is recommended over
another, as long as it is done regularly –
e.g. every month. Make sure you stand
in front of the mirror and inspect yours
breasts. Are there any nipple changes,
nipple discharge, change in skin colour,
visible lumps or dimpling of the skin.
Use the palm of your fingers to palpate
your breasts in small circular movements
ensuring you cover the entire breast.
Make sure you include under your
arm and nipple. Is there any pain or
tenderness when feeling your breasts?
If you notice a change or a lump then
please see your doctor.
Mammograms – Medical guidelines
recommend that low risk patients with no
symptoms be screened every 2 years
between the age of 50–74 years. If
someone has a higher risk of breast cancer
such as a strong family history of breast
cancer screening may commence earlier.
Please discuss your risk with your doctor.
Let start from the top… Let’s go down lower…
Breast Cancer
When did you last check your breasts?
We know breast cancer is common with
1 in 8 women affected by the age of 85
– so why wouldn’t we be checking our
breast regularly.
18
KIDZ O N T H E C OA ST
Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer occurs when abnormal
cells grow in the lining of the cervix.
The discovery of the association of
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) with
cervical cancer has been a medical
breakthrough. HPV goes with having
sex, just like catching a cold, with 8 in
10 women being infected at some stage.
Some types of high risk HPV can cause
cell changes that lead to cervical cancer
if not detected. This discovery has led to
the development of the HPV vaccine and
changes to cervical screening program.
HPV vaccines – immunises against
high risk HPV strains 16 and 18 (which
causes 70% of cervical cancer) and also
type 6 and 11 (which cause 90% of genital
warts). It is exciting to finally have a
vaccine that can help protect against
cancer and the government funded
school based program is available to girls
and boys aged 12 – 13 years of age. Don’t
forget that HPV can also cause vaginal
(65%), vulval (50%) penile (35%), anal
(90%) and throat (60%) cancer!
Cervical Screening changes – in
December 2017 the 2 yearly pap test
was replaced by the 5 yearly HPV test,
called the Cervical Screening Test. It was
changed due to the discovery of the link
between HPV and cancer, new HPV
testing technologies and the success of
the vaccine program. Sorry ladies, but
the cervical screening test still uses the
same collection method with a speculum
however if you have a normal result the
test is only every 5 years instead of 2