Demystifying the well-woman: What to expect during this annual exam
If you’ve never had a well-woman exam before, you might be wondering what to expect. Is it similar to an annual physical? Which parts of your body will the doctor examine? And, which tests will be performed on you, and why?
We spoke with Elizabeth Keeler, M.D., a gynecologist who specializes in caring for women with cancer. Here’s what these important annual doctor visits include — and why you shouldn’t skip yours.
A...
What is a partial hysterectomy? Differences, benefits and risk factors
“Partial hysterectomy” is one of those phrases that isn’t very specific. It’s not always clear what the term means. So, most doctors try to...
Uterine fibroids and cancer: Is there a connection?
Uterine fibroids are smooth-muscle tumors that develop in the thick muscular walls of the uterus. We don’t know for certain what causes them...
Does hormone replacement therapy increase cancer risk?
Hot flashes. Insomnia. Mood changes.
If you've experienced menopause symptoms, you can probably relate to the feeling of wanting them to, well, stop.
Hormone replacement therapies (HRT) are hormonal medications that can help reduce menopause symptoms. While these therapies offer welcome symptom relief for many people, they have also been associated with side effects, including increased breast cancer risk.
Here, I...
Ascites: 8 things to know about this ovarian cancer symptom
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal space of the abdomen. Though it can be caused by several non-cancerous conditions,...
Lynch syndrome: 10 things to know about this genetic condition
Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition that makes some people more likely to develop certain cancers.
Carriers have a much...
Sentinel lymph node biopsy: What cancer patients should know
We often hear about lymph nodes when we talk about how cancer spreads. That’s because when cancer starts to spread, it often goes to the lymph...
‘How I knew I had endometrial cancer’: Six survivors share their stories
Maria Lozano was already well into menopause when she started experiencing the most common symptom of endometrial cancer (also known as uterine...
Clear cell carcinoma survivor: Second opinion at MD Anderson saved my life
When Josephine Spence experienced a sudden, agonizing pain in her right calf, her husband and daughter urged her to go to the hospital right...
Need an omentectomy? Here’s what to expect
If you need an omentectomy as a part of your cancer treatment, you probably have a lot of questions.
To learn more about who needs...