Women's Health

What happens if my mammogram shows an abnormality?

Nine out of ten women found to have an abnormality on mammography do not have cancer. If an abnormality is detected on the mammogram a sample of tissue is taken by the breast specialist often under local anaesthetic. A pathologist will then examine this biopsy microscopically to provide the definitive diagnosis. The emotive issues around breast screening, the need for quick evaluation and access to specialist consultation and treatment are being increasingly recognised by many units.

Please click on the required question.

Q32. 1 What is cancer (malignancy)
Q32. 2 What is meant by cancer staging?
Q32. 3 How prevalent is cancer?
Q32. 4 How prevalent are womens' cancers?
Q32. 5 What causes cancer?
Q32. 6 Is cancer a hereditary condition?
Q32. 7 How can gynaecological cancer present?
Q32. 8 How can we reduce the risks of the womens' cancers?

Reducing the Risks of Womens' Cancers.

Q32. 9 What are screening tests?
Q32. 10 What are the reactions to a diagnosis of cancer?
Q32. 11 Is there a place for counselling when cancer is diagnosed?
Q32. 12 Can personality alter the prognosis?
Q32. 13 Is the incidence of deaths from the female cancers changing?
Q32. 14 Is there a place for a holistic approach to cancer?

Cancer of the Cervix.

Q32. 15 How prevalent is cervical cancer?
Q32. 16 What causes cervical cancer?
Q32. 17 How long an interval should there be between cervical screening (smear) (PAP) tests?
Q32. 18 Is there any evidence that cervical screening can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer?
Q32. 19 Will pre-malignant changes of the cervix invariably lead to cancer?

Endometrial Cancer (Uterus)

Q32. 20 What causes endometrial cancer?
Q32. 21 Are there screening tests for endometrial cancer?
Q32. 22 How does endometrial cancer present?
Q32. 22a How can endometrial cancer be prevented?
Q32. 22b How can endometrial cancer be treated?

Cancer of the Ovary.

Q32. 23 How does ovarian cancer present?
Q32. 24 How prevalent is ovarian cancer?
Q32. 25 What are tumour markers?
Q32. 26 Can we screen for ovarian cancer?
Q32. 27 What is the relationship between infertility and ovarian cancer?
Q32. 28 Can treatment of infertility increase the risk of ovarian cancer?
Q32. 29 What is the relationship between oral contraception and cancer?
Q32. 30 Can ovarian cancer be prevented?
Q32. 31 I use talcum power. Could this increase my risk of developing ovarian cancer?

The Treatment Of Womens' Cancers

Q32. 32 Can we predict the course of a cancer?
Q32. 33 What treatment options are available for gynaecological cancer?
Q32.33c What treatment options are available for ovarian cancer?

Cancer of the Vulva, Vagina and Fallopian Tube

Q32. 34 How prevalent are malignant conditions of the vulva, vagina and Fallopian tubes?
Breast Cancer

Q32. 35 What is the incidence of breast cancer?
Q32. 35 ?What is the cause of breast cancer?
Q32. 35a What are the advantages of breast cancer screening - mammography - mammograms?
Q32. 36 How often should breast screening be carried out?
Q32. 37 Are there any problems having a mammogram?
Q32. 38 Should I check myself for breast lumps?
Q32. 39 One of my family developed cancer of the breast. Am I at increased risk?
Q32. 40 We have a family tendency towards developing breast / ovarian cancer. Are there any genetic tests to find out if I am at increased risk?
Q32. 41 What happens if a mammogram shows an abnormality?
Q32. 42 What are the advantages and disadvantages of tamoxifen in the management of breast cancer?
Q32. 42a Breast Cancer Treatment - What is available?
Q32. 43 What is the relationship between breast cancer and the pill?
Web sites and Support Groups

Q32. 44 Are there any support groups?
Q32. 44 Are there any support groups?
Q32. 45 Support Groups.
Q32. 46 Breast Cancer Support Groups
Q32. 47 Ovarian Cancer Support Groups
Q32. 48 Endometrial Cancer Support Groups
Q32. 49 Cervical Cancer Support Groups

Do you have an unanswered women's health question?

Please let us have your general question on our NEW FORUM / MESSAGE BOARDS facility and we will try to answer it for you. I am sure that you will appreciate that we cannot offer advice on the management of an individual's specific problem.

DISCLAIMER

The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.
Thank you for your visiting us at 2womenshealth.com.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London.
I do hope that you find the answers to your questions in the patient information and medical advice provided. If you still have unanswered questions, please consider entering them into one of our forums and I will try to assist you.