Closing The Care Gap - Understanding and Preventing Endometrial Cancers
By - Team VOH
14 Feb 2024
4th Edition National Cancer Conclave - Uniting for closing the care gap supported by AstraZeneca. Empowering Awareness: Understanding and Preventing Endometrial Cancers.
In the month of ‘National Cancer Prevention’, Voice of Healthcare hosted the 4th Edition National Cancer Conclave - Uniting for Closing the Care Gap Supported by AstraZeneca.
With themes of insights and awareness, early diagnosis, different treatments for types and stages of cancer, and most importantly the patient's experience and the journey towards recovery from Endometrial Cancers.
National Cancer Conclave 2024 stresses Maximum Awareness, Timely Diagnosis, and Better Treatment Options Available, with the objective of access to the masses of India.
The topics that went under the discussion were…
● Empowering awareness, understanding, and preventing Endometrial Cancer
● Timely Diagnosis, Treatment Pathways for types of cancers
● Journey of bladder cancer patients to recovery
Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Vice Chairperson and Head of the Department of Medical Oncology & Haematology at PARAS Health, Gurugram. The session started with Dr. Jyoti shedding light on Uterine Cancer that arises from a body part uterus or the womb. She further explained that there are two types of uterine cancer- Endometrial Cancer and Uterine Sarcoma. Endometrial cancer arises from the lining of the uterus and Uterine Sarcoma arises from the muscle in the wall of the uterus. Also, the most common subtype of the two is Endometrial Cancer. The most common symptom of Endometrial Cancer is Postmenopausal bleeding. Even spotting in postmenopausal period is an indication to visit the Doctor to get evaluated. It is one of the common cancers affecting the women’s reproductive organs. Obesity and Changes in Lifestyle are increasing the prevalence of Endometrial Cancer in India.
She also appreciated the initiative and efforts of Voice Of Healthcare to create awareness about Endometrial Cancer.
Dr. Wadhwa added that around two-thirds of patients who come to them are already at stage third or fourth. Although they do come across patients with early stages of cancer. In addition, she said that the most common type of Gynecological Cancer continues to be Cervical Cancer, which is very much preventable, and very much detectable early. There is also an effective vaccine available against Cervical Cancer. Unfortunately, Endometrial Cancer doesn't have the lag period that Cervical Cancer has. So it becomes very important to report the symptoms early to the gynaecologist or oncologist. Additionally, there are very effective treatments available at an early stage of cancer.
She also talked about the common symptoms of Endometrial Cancer such as abnormal bleeding during Premenopausal and Postmenopausal, heavy bleeding, and the passing of blood clots. There are signs to go for investigations to evaluate it further. Dr. Jyoti emphasized getting checked by the Gynecologist for any of these symptoms. Following that, she also said that a family history of Endometrial Cancer or Colorectal Cancer, taking estrogen hormones after menopause, birth control pills, tamoxifen drug to treat breast cancer, an increasing number of menstrual cycles, ovarian tumours, PCOD, and obesity are known risk factors of Endometrial Cancer. There are some uncertain risk factors like a diet high in fat, type two diabetes, and someone who has undergone pelvic radiotherapy at an early age.
The host Dr. Ruchika Gambhir, went on to get insights on how all the patients are not alike at the tumor level, and at the molecular level they are known to be different and it is very important to look at specific biomarkers that could help in decision making. It also helps to understand the grade of cancer and depth of invasion. Now biomarkers are used at an early stage to understand the type of treatment required.
The speaker also discussed the molecular biomarkers to help understand whether the early stage could benefit from chemotherapy and for the advanced stages, we have many options like chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Also, patients at low risk could benefit from hormonal therapy. So, these biomarkers help us decide whether to just go for chemotherapy or add on targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Dr. Wadhwa also focused on the preventive measures for the people at average risk of Endometrial Cancer to have a Healthy Diet, Regular Physical Activity, Maintain a healthy BMI, and overall healthy lifestyle plays a great role in preventing Endometrial Cancer.
To summarize the session
● Uterine cancer is of two types and Endometrial cancer is the more common of two subtypes.
● The most important symptom of Endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding.
● Biomarker tests play an important role in deciding the treatment pathways for the patients.
● Leading a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet and regular exercise helps in the prevention of Endometrial Cancer.
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