What Every Woman Should Know About Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

By Jeannine Ann Villella, DO

As a gynecologic oncologist, I care for women with cancers of the female reproductive system. One question I hear time and again is, "Could this have been caught sooner?" While we can't prevent every gynecologic cancer, routine gynecologic care plays an important role in reducing risk, detecting cancer early, and helping women stay healthy.

Many people think of their gynecologist as someone they see only when something feels wrong or when it's time for an annual exam. In reality, those routine visits are about much more than a yearly checkup. They are an opportunity to stay up to date on recommended screenings, talk about your family history, address new symptoms or concerns, and make sure you're doing everything you can to protect your long-term health.

I'm not sharing this to make anyone worry. The vast majority of symptoms women experience are not caused by cancer, and many concerns have simple explanations. My hope is to help women better understand the important role their gynecologist plays in cancer prevention and early detection, and to encourage them not to put off routine care or ignore changes that deserve a conversation. This way, they can refer to a Gynecologic oncologist for evaluation if they identify a concerning finding.

Here are five ways your gynecologist helps protect your health through cancer prevention and early detection.

1. Stay Up to Date on Cervical Cancer Screening

One of the greatest success stories in cancer prevention is cervical cancer screening. Regular Pap tests and HPV testing can identify precancerous changes long before they become cancer. Your gynecologist can also discuss whether the HPV vaccine is appropriate for you or your family. Even if you feel completely healthy, staying current with recommended screening is one of the best things you can do for your future health.

2. Don’t Ignore Abnormal Bleeding

Unexpected bleeding is one of the most common reasons women see a gynecologist, and it should never be ignored. Bleeding between periods, very heavy periods, bleeding after sex, or any bleeding after menopause all deserve evaluation. Most causes are benign, but abnormal bleeding can sometimes be an early sign of uterine or cervical cancer. Evaluating these symptoms early gives us the best opportunity to identify the cause and begin treatment if needed.

3. Know Your Family History

Your family history can tell us a great deal about your cancer risk. A history of ovarian, breast, uterine, or colorectal cancer may suggest an inherited cancer syndrome such as BRCA-related hereditary cancer or Lynch syndrome. Understanding these risks helps us recommend the right screening, discuss ways to reduce risk, and, in some cases, prevent cancer before it develops.

4. Pay Attention to Persistent Pelvic Symptoms

Persistent bloating, pelvic pain or pressure, feeling full quickly, or an increase in abdominal size are often caused by common, noncancerous conditions. However, if these symptoms are new, persistent, or worsening, they should be evaluated. Unlike cervical cancer, there is currently no routine screening test for ovarian cancer in women at average risk, making symptom awareness and prompt evaluation especially important.

5. Continue Routine Care After Menopause

Many women assume they no longer need to see a gynecologist after menopause, but preventive care remains just as important. Any vaginal bleeding after menopause should always be evaluated, and symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, vaginal dryness, or discomfort during sex don't have to be something you simply "live with." Your gynecologist can help manage these symptoms while continuing to support your overall health and evaluating any new symptoms or changes that arise.

Your Health, Your Priority

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping women stay healthy, not just treating cancer when it occurs. While we cannot prevent every gynecologic cancer, we can often reduce risk, identify inherited predispositions, and recognize concerning symptoms early, when more treatment options are available.

If something doesn't feel right, don't hesitate to bring it up with your gynecologist. And even if you feel perfectly well, don't skip your routine visits. Establishing an open, trusting relationship with your gynecologist is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health.

Jeannine Ann Villella, DO is the Chief of Gynecologic Oncology and Director of the Northwell Cancer Institute at Lenox Hill Hospital.