So now we've gone over the scary facts about ovarian cancer. The next question is obvious: how do you keep yourself from getting ovarian cancer in the first place? Very little is known about what causes ovarian cancer. About 90% of ovarian cancers occur in women with no family history, which means that in most cases, it isn't clearly a genetic disease.
One thing we do know is that to a certain extent, the more a woman ovulates, the higher her risk of ovarian cancer. We know that taking birth control pills, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, all of which prevent ovulation, decrease a woman's risk of ovarian cancer significantly. As a corollary, some researchers have theorized that fertility treatments that induce or augment ovulation might increase the risk, but at this point, the evidence is not clear.
Other factors seem to reduce risk of ovarian cancer. For example, having a hysterectomy and having a tubal ligation ("tying your tubes") both reduce your risk of cancer, though no one knows why.
We also know that women who carry the "breast cancer gene"--BRCA-1 or BRCA-2--are at much higher risk of ovarian cancer than the general population. For women who know they are carriers, the American Cancer Society recommends performing ovarian cancer screening, in the form of an ultrasound and a blood test for a CA-125 level, every 6 months after the age of 35. Furthermore, a recent study, much publicized in the mainstream media, has confirmed what we have suspected for many years: removal of the ovaries in women who carry a BRCA gene prolongs their lives. This is a very important consideration for women who have a strong genetic tendency for ovarian cancer, and possibly reason enough to have genetic testing if you are at risk.
To know if you should consider BRCA testing, see my next post!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Ovarian Cancer: The Scary Facts and Being Proactive
September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so what better time to learn more about this frightening and frustrating problem. According to the American Cancer Society in 2010, ovarian cancer affects about 1 in 71 women in the United States, making it the 9th most common cancer in women. Frighteningly, despite only accounting for 3% of all cancers in women in this country, it accounts for 5% of female deaths from cancer (compare this to breast cancer, which accounts for 28% of cases but only 15% of deaths). This is largely because ovarian cancer is usually painless and essentially asymptomatic in early stages, and to date, there are no clearly beneficial screening tests available.
As with many cancers, treatment is much more effective if started in earlier stages. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is most often diagnosed after the disease has progressed to stage III or IV (out of IV). There are no recommended screening strategies for average-risk women. Women and their doctors need to be particularly diligent to look for symptoms that might suggest ovarian cancer, though it is important to keep in mind that most women with these symptoms DO NOT actually have a tumor. Symptoms to discuss with your doctor include:
The encouraging news is that earlier detection may be on the horizon. Many studies in the last few years have looked at ways of detecting asymptomatic ovarian cancers in average-risk women. Though no screening protocol has been recommended at this point, several are being evaluated. In the meantime, it remains important to listen to your body and keep communication open with your gynecologist. If something "just doesn't feel right," it's time to investigate.
As with many cancers, treatment is much more effective if started in earlier stages. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is most often diagnosed after the disease has progressed to stage III or IV (out of IV). There are no recommended screening strategies for average-risk women. Women and their doctors need to be particularly diligent to look for symptoms that might suggest ovarian cancer, though it is important to keep in mind that most women with these symptoms DO NOT actually have a tumor. Symptoms to discuss with your doctor include:
- bloating or increase in abdominal girth (for example, suddenly feeling that your waistbands are too tight)
- pelvic or abdominal pain or pain with intercourse
- trouble eating or feeling full quickly
- urinary problems, such as frequency or urgency
- changes in bowel habits, particularly constipation
The encouraging news is that earlier detection may be on the horizon. Many studies in the last few years have looked at ways of detecting asymptomatic ovarian cancers in average-risk women. Though no screening protocol has been recommended at this point, several are being evaluated. In the meantime, it remains important to listen to your body and keep communication open with your gynecologist. If something "just doesn't feel right," it's time to investigate.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Why We Do What We Do
I recently met two young women at the airport, who revealed that I was the first OB/Gyn either of them had ever met. They immediately responded with everyone’s gut reaction: why did you choose to do THAT for a career? As a group, I’m afraid that we gynecologists horribly misunderstood by the general public. None of us chose our specialty because of a great love for performing pelvic exams. What we do love about our job is that it is absolutely unique among medical specialties. We are able to be both specialists and primary care doctors, and we have the opportunity to take care of people in a variety of different ways on a single workday, providing both surgical and non-surgical care. Unlike other types of surgeons, when we operate on a patient, our relationship with her doesn’t begin and end with surgery; she is often someone we have known for years and will continue to see on an ongoing basis for years to come. We get to know our patients and their families on a very personal level, so we feel a special responsibility to provide the best possible care. Of course, the best part of our job is getting to enjoy some of the happiest and most memorable events with those families, but we’re also there to help them through the hard times. The essence of our job is forming long-lasting, caring relationships with women and their families. Sometimes I wonder why anyone would choose to any other career.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Healthcare for Women: Gynecologist in Salinas, California
When it comes to the expertise of the physicians at Health Care For Women, the field of Gynecology is undoubtedly the most obvious form of health care. All the way from adolescence to a woman’s menopausal years, the need for specialized care by a highly-trained gynecologist who understands your needs is absolutely vital, and Health Care For Women offers some of the most extensive care in all of Monterey County. The professionals at Health Care For Women understand your need for trust-worthy gynecological care, and they are well-equipped to provide the very best health care within the field of Gynecology possible, be it simple routine health maintenance, or for more specific and severe gynecologic problems. All of the professionally-trained gynecologists at Health Care For Women have the requisite experience and expertise to assess, diagnose, and treat the conditions that are unique to women, and the physicians at Health Care For Women are prepared to utilize the information, and their expertise, in order to provide the absolute best gynecological care that is possible.
Within the expansive field of Gynecology, the primary conditions that are dealt with by a gynecologist includes Cancer and pre-cancerous diseases, Infertility, Incontinence, Amenorrhea (absent menstrual periods), Infections, Dysmenorrhea (painful or uncomfortable menstrual periods), and Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual periods), which is one of the common indications for hysterectomy. Some of the other more common reasons patients may need specialized health care includes birth control, menopause, ovarian cysts, sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain, well-woman exams, breast pain and lumps, and management of abnormal pap smears.
Whatever your gynecological needs may be, the experts and professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas, California are more than able to give you the professional health care that you need. Health Care For Women understands that often you may have health concerns that are personal and difficult to discuss with others, even licensed professionals, so the physicians at Health Care For Women strive to provide a comfortable and compassionate environment where you can get the treatment that you need by people who are at the very top of their field.
If you're interested in finding out more about the gynecological services offered by the medical professionals at Health Care For Women, please feel free to learn more at www.hcfw.com, or call 831-758-8223 and set up an appointment for a visit to the Health Care For Women offices today.
Within the expansive field of Gynecology, the primary conditions that are dealt with by a gynecologist includes Cancer and pre-cancerous diseases, Infertility, Incontinence, Amenorrhea (absent menstrual periods), Infections, Dysmenorrhea (painful or uncomfortable menstrual periods), and Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual periods), which is one of the common indications for hysterectomy. Some of the other more common reasons patients may need specialized health care includes birth control, menopause, ovarian cysts, sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain, well-woman exams, breast pain and lumps, and management of abnormal pap smears.
Whatever your gynecological needs may be, the experts and professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas, California are more than able to give you the professional health care that you need. Health Care For Women understands that often you may have health concerns that are personal and difficult to discuss with others, even licensed professionals, so the physicians at Health Care For Women strive to provide a comfortable and compassionate environment where you can get the treatment that you need by people who are at the very top of their field.
If you're interested in finding out more about the gynecological services offered by the medical professionals at Health Care For Women, please feel free to learn more at www.hcfw.com, or call 831-758-8223 and set up an appointment for a visit to the Health Care For Women offices today.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Gynecologic Care for Teens
"When should I bring my daughter in to see you?" is a common question from our patients with teenage daughters. The answer depends on a girl's particular health needs. Recently, the guidelines for when to start regular cervical cancer screening (i.e., pap smears) have changed to state that we should not be doing paps on any women until age 21, but that does not mean that younger women don't need a gynecologist.
First and foremost, if a girl is sexually active, she should be coming in at least annually for an exam and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Some infections, such as chlamydia, are more common in younger women and can lead to infertility in the future if left untreated. These visits are also opportunities to address her birth control needs.
However, there are many other reasons teens might need to see a gynecologist (and they will be relieved to know that many of those reasons do not require a pelvic exam!). A good opportunity to introduce your daughter to a gynecologist is when she is receives her human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination (more on this in a future post). In our office, before the first injection, we sit down with the girl and her parent(s) and talk about what the vaccination does and also ask about any other problems she might be having, such as painful or heavy periods. It is a good opportunity for her to meet a doctor without the intimidation of an exam.
Period problems, ranging from heavy bleeding to pain to irregular cycles, are the other big reason that teenagers see us. Again, we can often do a basic evaluation without a pelvic exam, so don't hesitate to schedule her first gyn appointment!
First and foremost, if a girl is sexually active, she should be coming in at least annually for an exam and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Some infections, such as chlamydia, are more common in younger women and can lead to infertility in the future if left untreated. These visits are also opportunities to address her birth control needs.
However, there are many other reasons teens might need to see a gynecologist (and they will be relieved to know that many of those reasons do not require a pelvic exam!). A good opportunity to introduce your daughter to a gynecologist is when she is receives her human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination (more on this in a future post). In our office, before the first injection, we sit down with the girl and her parent(s) and talk about what the vaccination does and also ask about any other problems she might be having, such as painful or heavy periods. It is a good opportunity for her to meet a doctor without the intimidation of an exam.
Period problems, ranging from heavy bleeding to pain to irregular cycles, are the other big reason that teenagers see us. Again, we can often do a basic evaluation without a pelvic exam, so don't hesitate to schedule her first gyn appointment!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Essure - Permanent birth control procedure in Salinas, Monterey County California
For women who are interested in a birth control procedure that is not only permanent, but also without the need for a hospital operating room, incisions, anesthesia, or any of the other potential risks that come with an intensive procedure, then the birth control method of Essure could be exactly what you've been looking for. Essure is a permanent, non-reversible birth control procedure that works with your body in order to create a natural barrier against any future pregnancy, the procedure of Essure has been used and trusted by both women and doctors like the professionals at Health Care For Women over the past five years.
One of the most attractive prospects when considering Essure is that the method is a simple procedure that is performed in a doctors office rather than an operating room; plus, depending on your insurance plan, the payment for the Essure procedure could be as low as a co-pay. Other reasons why the Essure procedure is so attractive is because it involves no surgery, no hormones, no long recovery period, and the entire process is performed in under 10 minutes, making your permanent birth control procedural experience smoother, and more effective than it ever has been before in the history of women's health care.
The medical professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas, Monterey County, California are pleased to have the capability of performing in-office female tubal sterilization procedures, which are more commonly known as Essure. The Essure procedure involves small micro-implants that are placed into the tubes using a small telescope, which is, in the opinion of most, a vast advancement compared to the previous methods of cauterizing or ligating the fallopian tubes. Essure has been approved by the FDA since 2003, and to date, hundreds of thousands of women have opted for the procedure in the United States alone, and medical record shows that, when the procedure is done properly, there have been absolutely no failures in the method. In fact, the experience of the healthcare professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas has been extremely favorable, and most patients have experienced little to no discomfort when undergoing the procedure, with the ease of the method allows women to even return to normal activity either the day of, or the next day after the procedure.
If you're interested in learning more about either the Essure procedure, or some other service pertaining to the pre- and post-natal care done by the medical professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas, California, please feel free to learn more at www.hcfw.com, or call 831-758-8223 and set up an appointment for a visit to the Health Care For Women doctor offices in Monterey County today.
One of the most attractive prospects when considering Essure is that the method is a simple procedure that is performed in a doctors office rather than an operating room; plus, depending on your insurance plan, the payment for the Essure procedure could be as low as a co-pay. Other reasons why the Essure procedure is so attractive is because it involves no surgery, no hormones, no long recovery period, and the entire process is performed in under 10 minutes, making your permanent birth control procedural experience smoother, and more effective than it ever has been before in the history of women's health care.
The medical professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas, Monterey County, California are pleased to have the capability of performing in-office female tubal sterilization procedures, which are more commonly known as Essure. The Essure procedure involves small micro-implants that are placed into the tubes using a small telescope, which is, in the opinion of most, a vast advancement compared to the previous methods of cauterizing or ligating the fallopian tubes. Essure has been approved by the FDA since 2003, and to date, hundreds of thousands of women have opted for the procedure in the United States alone, and medical record shows that, when the procedure is done properly, there have been absolutely no failures in the method. In fact, the experience of the healthcare professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas has been extremely favorable, and most patients have experienced little to no discomfort when undergoing the procedure, with the ease of the method allows women to even return to normal activity either the day of, or the next day after the procedure.
If you're interested in learning more about either the Essure procedure, or some other service pertaining to the pre- and post-natal care done by the medical professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas, California, please feel free to learn more at www.hcfw.com, or call 831-758-8223 and set up an appointment for a visit to the Health Care For Women doctor offices in Monterey County today.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Health Care for Women Obstetrics in Salinas, California Monterey County
Obstetrics is the unique specialization within the practice of medicine that deals specifically with the care and well-being of women and their children before, during, and after childbirth. It's vitally important that all mothers-to-be are aware of just how important obstetrics and prenatal care are to the present and future health of you and your child, specifically in terms of diagnostics and preventive care, as well as routine office visits that include physical exams and routine lab tests. The experts at Health Care For Women in Salinas, California combine compassionate care with the very cutting-edge of technology to delivery to you a safe and healthy baby. In the interest of making everything as easy as possible for you, the obstetricians at Health Care For Women can offer numerous obstetric services right in the office, including non-stress testing, nuchal Translucency Testing, and 4-D Ultrasound, which is the state-of-the-art process that allows you to see pictures and video of your baby before he or she is born. When it comes to more complicated pregnancies, the professionals at Health Care For Women work closely with the specialists from Stanford University and Lucille Packard Children's Hospital in order to provide the best possible care in neutralizing any potential problems. When it comes to the preventative wonders of obstetrics, you can feel safe in putting your faith in the experts at Health Care For Women in Salinas, California.
It is the aim of the health care professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas to provide a suitably caring and respectful environment for patients, and the experts at Health Care For Women understand that, as an expecting woman, you have a variety of specific health care concerns that need to be looked after by those who have countless hours of experience in the specific field of Obstetrics, which for you translates into regular and timely exams, individually-specific care, and prompt treatment for any conditions or complications that may arise. The health care professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas, California have obtained advanced education and specialty training in obstetrics in order to provide women in Monterey County with the absolute best care possible.
The doctors at Health Care For Women in Monterey County are specially-trained in the field of obstetrics and are fully-capable of caring for all different kinds of pregnancies, from normal, all the way up to high-risk. Patients can feel confident in knowing that they will be looked after by the very best in the field of obstetrics when it comes to the prenatal care, labor and delivery, and the postpartum stage of your pregnancy. The expertise of the professionals at Health Care For Women is especially pertinent when it comes to taking care of women with maternal or fetal complications in pregnancy, as these are the situations where top-quality prenatal care is absolutely vital.
To learn more about all of the specific elements of Obstetrics that Health Care For Women can handle for you and your child, please feel free to learn more at www.hcfw.com, or call 831-758-8223 today.
It is the aim of the health care professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas to provide a suitably caring and respectful environment for patients, and the experts at Health Care For Women understand that, as an expecting woman, you have a variety of specific health care concerns that need to be looked after by those who have countless hours of experience in the specific field of Obstetrics, which for you translates into regular and timely exams, individually-specific care, and prompt treatment for any conditions or complications that may arise. The health care professionals at Health Care For Women in Salinas, California have obtained advanced education and specialty training in obstetrics in order to provide women in Monterey County with the absolute best care possible.
The doctors at Health Care For Women in Monterey County are specially-trained in the field of obstetrics and are fully-capable of caring for all different kinds of pregnancies, from normal, all the way up to high-risk. Patients can feel confident in knowing that they will be looked after by the very best in the field of obstetrics when it comes to the prenatal care, labor and delivery, and the postpartum stage of your pregnancy. The expertise of the professionals at Health Care For Women is especially pertinent when it comes to taking care of women with maternal or fetal complications in pregnancy, as these are the situations where top-quality prenatal care is absolutely vital.
To learn more about all of the specific elements of Obstetrics that Health Care For Women can handle for you and your child, please feel free to learn more at www.hcfw.com, or call 831-758-8223 today.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Prenatal Care in Salinas, Monterey County, California
Amongst some of the major concerns in the field of Women's health is the topic of prenatal care for expecting mothers, and the experts at Health Care For Women in Salinas, California understand that the quality and integrity of a to-be mother's prenatal care is more often than not an absolutely vital step in the well-being of both the woman and her baby. So what is prenatal Care exactly? Prenatal care refers to the specific type of health care that a women receives both before and during her pregnancy. Just why is high-quality prenatal care so important? Simply speaking, prenatal care helps to ensure that you and your baby are healthy. In fact, studies show that babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those who are born to mothers that received frequent and adequate prenatal care. Under the supervision of professionals like those at the Monterey County office of Health Care for Women, expecting mothers allow doctors to spot any potential health problems early when having regular visits, and subsequent early treatment can cure many problems, as well aiding to prevent others. When utilizing the expertise and knowledge of the professionals at Health Care for Women in Salinas, Monterey County patients also get the chance to talk to doctors about what they can do in order to give their babies the best chance possible for a healthy start to life.
So what are some of the basics when it comes to prenatal care for you and your child? Aside from early and frequent check-ups with your doctor to make sure that you and the baby are healthy at each visit, pregnant women are also highly encouraged to take a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, as repeated studies have shown that women who receive at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily both prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk of their baby being born with a serious birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord by up to 70%. Women are also strongly urged to avoid x-rays unless absolutely necessary (i.e emergency dental work or diagnostic tests), and to get flu shots if your baby's due date is between the months of March and July, as the contraction of the flu can potentially be very dangerous for the well-being of a pregnant woman and her child.
During a woman's first prenatal care visit, one can expect the doctor to: ask about your health history, ask about your family health history, take blood and urine for lab work, do a complete physical exam, check your blood pressure, calculate your due date, and answer any questions that you may have about the pregnancy. Typical prenatal care generally consists of monthly visits during the first two trimesters (weeks 1-28), biweekly visits from weeks 28 to 36, and weekly visits after week 36 (delivery at week 38-40).
If you're interested in learning more about the highly-skilled doctors at Health Care for Women in Salinas, Monterey County, and you would like to find out about all of the ways that they can help you with both understanding and implementing the best possible prenatal care for the present and future well-being of you and your child, please call 831.758.8223, or visit the Health Care for Women website [www.hcfw.com] and get in contact today with someone who can help you today.
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