Category Archives: Womens Health

TCGA Study identifies Genomic features of Cervical Cancer

Investigators with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network have identified novel genomic and molecular characteristics of cervical cancer that will aid in the sub-classification of the disease and may help target therapies that are most appropriate for each patient. The new study, a comprehensive analysis of the genomes of 178 primary cervical cancers, found that over 70 percent of the tumors had genomic alterations in either one or both of two important cell signaling pathways. The researchers also found, unexpectedly, that a subset of tumors did not show evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study included authors from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), both parts of the National Institutes of Health, and appeared January 23, 2017, in Nature.

Cervical cancer accounts for more than 500,000 new cases of cancer and more than 250,000 deaths each year worldwide. “The vast majority of cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infection with oncogenic types of HPV. Effective preventive vaccines against the most oncogenic forms of HPV have been available for a number of years, with vaccination having the long-term potential to reduce the number of cases of cervical cancer,” said NCI Acting Director Douglas Lowy, M.D.

“However, most women who will develop cervical cancer in the next couple of decades are already beyond the recommended age for vaccination and will not be protected by the vaccine,” noted Dr. Lowy. “Therefore, cervical cancer is still a disease in need of effective therapies, and this latest TCGA analysis could help advance efforts to find drugs that target important elements of cervical cancer genomes in addition to the HPV genes.” Continue reading

What Women Should Know About Essure Permanent Birth Control

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to advise women to carefully consider the benefits and risks associated with permanent birth control devices, like the FDA-approved Essure device, along with other birth control options.

That’s why FDA recently approved important labeling changes for Essure. Among other changes, Bayer, the company that makes Essure, will include a boxed warning and patient decision checklist in the labeling to help ensure that women receive and understand the benefits and risks of these permanent birth control devices.

What does this mean? Bayer’s new checklist in the patient information brochure summarizes key benefit and risk information about Essure. The checklist aims to encourage women to read the information brochure, understand Essure’s benefits and risks, and discuss the information with their doctor before making an informed decision on whether to use this device.

Here are some things to consider when choosing birth control. Continue reading

Avoiding Weight Gain in Menopause

How do you stop weight gain in menopause? If you do not want to be one of the 2/3 of women in menopause who gain upwards of 15 pounds, then make the changes your body needs you to make. This includes some form of daily exercise. Just like any other weight loss plan, you have to choose what is right for you and stick to it. You may need to make some changes if you want to get and stay thin and healthy. For one week, keep a food journal and see for yourself in black and white what kinds of things you put in your mouth on a daily basis. You may be surprised at the things you eat. After you have kept your food journal for a week then you can make whatever changes you need to and start to eat healthy meals. Continue reading

Breast Surgery Complications

First and foremost there could be an allergic reaction to the anesthetic. General is considered to be more risky yet any anesthetic could bring on a negative reaction. Although extremely rare, it is possible to bleed post-operatively resulting in another surgery to control and drain the collected blood. Another possibility is hematoma (a collection of clotted blood), seroma (a collection of the watery portion of the blood) and thrombosis (abnormal clotting). Continue reading

Early Signs & Symptoms Of Menopause

If you are female and in your late 30s or early 40s, and you are noticing some changes in your menstrual cycle, it maybe time to learn about the symtoms of menopause. The first thing you will notice is that your periods will start to become irregular. They may get shorter or longer and the bleeding lighter or heavier. Some months you may even skip a period. Premenstrual symptoms may get worse too.

Other early signs you may notice are insomnia and night sweats. You may have trouble falling asleep or find you are awake often throughout the night. These are forms of insomnia and you should talk to your doctor about it sooner rather than later. Do not wait until you are completely exhausted. You need your rest, just like everybody else, and when you don’t get it you could get sick or have a serious accident. Continue reading