Does Endometriosis Increase Cancer Risk – Dr Geetha Nagasree Explains
Does endometriosis increase cancer risk or lead to cancer is a very big question and a cause for concern for many women.
Does Endometriosis Increase Cancer Risk – Dr Geetha Nagasree Explains
Endometriosis affects at least one in every 10 women. Does endometriosis lead to cancer is a very big question and a cause for concern for many women. Let us first try to understand endometriosis, the risk factors for endometriosis, the symptoms associated with it – and, whether, endometriosis leads to cancer.
How to Know whether You have endometriosis?
The best way to know whether you have endometriosis is to understand your signs and symptoms. Some of the common symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Excessive vaginal bleeding
- Bleeding in between periods
- Painful periods
- Infertility
- Pain during intercourse
- Lower abdominal pain
- Pressure in abdomen
What should you do if you have endometriosis?
Many women have deep concerns regarding endometriosis and the complications associated with it. They often delay seeking medical help out of worry. Instead of getting into trouble, you should first focus on consulting a gynaecologist and getting relief from symptoms. Just forget about the complications and associated risk – first of all, seek help to get relief from troublesome symptoms.
Now, let us come to the million-dollar question….
Does Endometriosis Increase Ovarian Cancer or any other type of cancer risk?
The lifetime risk of getting ovarian cancer is relatively low if a woman has endometriosis or any of her first-degree relatives has it. In a nutshell, the overall lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is very low. According to some research studies, endometriosis can increase cancer risk – but at a relatively lower rate.
Many women have a wrong notion pertaining to endometriosis as they often get confused with the symptoms. Furthermore, their concern heightens further owing to endometriosis-associated adenocarcinoma risk. It is a very rare type of cancer – which is associated with endometriosis. There is a very rare possibility or likelihood of developing this type of rare cancer in women who have had endometriosis.
Is Hysterectomy Mandatory to Ease Endometriosis-related Symptoms?
If the symptoms associated with endometriosis are not significant enough to cause any sort of trouble, then gynaecologists prefer less invasive and medical therapies. Furthermore, if the uterus is not causing any trouble, pain or symptoms, then endometriosis is not a reason to have a hysterectomy. unless the symptoms associated with the uterus are significant – causing pain and bleeding problems hysterectomy should not be considered. But endometriosis can be painful in premenopausal women and should be treated.
Bottom Line
Whatever may be your case, if you think that you have this problem and your symptoms are augmenting day-by-day, then you should consult a gynaecologist or a laparoscopic surgeon. A pelvic exam, ultrasound and laparoscopy is done to diagnose endometriosis.