GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCER DOESN'T STAND A CHANCE: THE WARNING SIGNS EVERY WOMAN MUST KNOW!

Expert provides advice

by Makri Maria, Tzoumaka Anastasia

Women’s health is a topic that is often discussed, but is it being addressed properly? Especially, when gynaecological cancers are concerned , there is still a gap in awareness, so it is natural that early prevention and education are keys to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In a recent interview with a gynaecologist, the significance of prevention in women’s health was emphasised, especially concerning serious illnesses, such as cancer. Information and prevention are fundamental elements to ensure women’s health and promote their general well-being. Regular monitoring by a gynaecologist and attention to symptoms, can indeed make a difference in diagnosis and early intervention.To better understand the importance of this topic, we spoke with Dr. Tona Nerisa, a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology.

I: Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your background?

T: “My name is Tona Nerisa, I am 39 years old and I am a specialist obstetrician-gynecologist.I maintain my own private office here in Thessaloniki, while also being a research associate at the obstetrics clinic of Ippokrateio General Hospital. I also have a Master’s degree in high-risk pregnancy.”

I: How did you decide to become a gynaecologist and why in this specific specialty?

T: “When I was a student in Medicine, I knew I wanted to specialise in surgery, but I hadn’t yet decided the exact field. So, when I attended the first birth in university, I was sure I wanted to become a gynaecologist, because I realised that you are able to bring a new life into the world, but you can also save a life.”

I: What are the most common types of gynaecological cancers and from your experience how often do women develop cancer (e.g., 1 in 10 women)?

T: “The most common type of cancer I come in contact with is breast cancer and the second one is cervical cancer. We also have many cases of endometrial and vulvar cancer and lastly the ovarian cancer, which is the most difficult to diagnose in early stages, due to the fact that it doesn’t have symptoms. As for the number of cancer cases we contact, that depends on the working environment. For example, when I was working at an anti-cancer hospital, we had 1 in 8 women with breast cancer, as this is also the general percentage, but here in my private office, I would say that the numbers are around 1 in 20 women.”

I: What is your way to approach a patient when you discover that she has cancer and how would you describe the experience of announcing such news?

T: “In most cases, women have already suspected that they may be diagnosed with cancer, as they have noticed signs that can make them question the state of their health. It’s a very serious issue, and we have to make sure that we won’t use words that will negatively affect the patient’s psychology. In addition, patients have the right to learn the truth about their condition and it’s of great importance to explain to them calmly the details about the steps we are going to take. We should comfort them and reassure them that we will be here from the start until the end, to care about their needs.”

I: What is the most common mistake women make regarding the care of their body and health and how many times, in your experience, has precaution helped to detect something early and prevent it?

T:“I would say lack of prevention. Unfortunately, many women aren’t tested even for the most basic things, like the Pap test and they sometimes are unaware of the procedures themselves. It is also common, for some women, not having a mammography, which should begin in our early 40s, or even earlier when you have a family history with cancer. As for the cases I have encountered, sometimes they didn’t even have the chance to evolve into cancer, because women had their preventive tests and we were able to find the precancerous cells, or the very early stages of cancer. That’s so important and it might be possible that we don’t even have to begin a treatment.”

I: What could you tell us about the HPV vaccine?

T: “Firstly, there are a lot of myths concerning the side effects that the vaccine can cause, but it has been proved that this isn’t true, as the vaccine is absolutely safe. Moreover, people should be vaccinated in adolescence, and before having their first sexual intercourse. It is crucial for boys to be vaccinated as well, because, despite the fact that it’s rare for men to be diagnosed with these kinds of cancer, it is possible for them to be affected by one of the strains of HPV, through sexual intercourse and that can evolve to another type of cancer.”

I: Could you give us more information about the Pap test?

T: “The Pap test is a very simple, painless procedure that every woman should do every year, starting from the age of 21. It can detect a great variety of conditions, from a simple dysplasia or a cervicitis, to cervical cancer.”

I: How does family history influence a woman’s risk of gynaecological cancers?

T: “It depends on the type of the cancer. For example, as far as cervical cancer is concerned, family history isn’t that important. However, breast cancer has a high hereditary component, so women whose relatives were diagnosed with this type of cancer, should be checked earlier and more frequently than the general population and it would be very beneficial, if they had a genetic testing.”

I: Do you believe that most women know how to do in an appropriate way the self -breast examination and what is the correct way?

T: “Many women don’t know how to examine themselves, but they can learn how to do it, as it is very easy. We start from the nipple and we palpate all around, to see if we touch something that is not normal in our breasts,something that could be rough or look like a little tumour. Then, we check our armpits in the same way.”

I: What are the symptoms that could warn us to get ourselves checked?

T: “Firstly, one symptom can be something alarming we found through our self-breast examination. It could also be a blood or fluid secretion from the nipples. In addition, we should watch out for unexplainable pain in the belly, uncontrolled bleeding outside of menstruation or during menopause, or weird texture and smell in vaginal fluids.”

I: Could you give us some information about cancer during pregnancy?

T: “When a pregnant woman has cancer, the pregnancy is progressing normally, as nowadays, the amount of radiation during treatment is so small that it doesn’t affect the fetus at all. Moreover, it is possible for a pregnant woman with breast cancer to go through a mastectomy and also, it’s a fact that cancer isn’t transmitted from mother to baby.”

I: How accessible are medical examinations for women, in general, based on financial criteria?

T: “Recently, in Greece, the government is running some programs, concerning free mammographies for women over 40 years old and free Pap tests, for women over 21. And regarding the treatments, there is the chance to address a state hospital and conduct the necessary procedures for free.”

I: What advice would you give to women in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

T: “Besides prevention, I believe that it’s crucial to adopt a healthy lifestyle, because eating unhealthy food, smoking, drinking, or experiencing severe stress, can cause detrimental consequences to our health.”

I: Okay, thank you very much for your participation in this interview!

In conclusion, we understand that cancer is a sensitive issue that requires careful handling, highlighting the importance of proper education from both home and schools. From our interview with Dr. Tona Nerisa, it goes without saying that there is a great number of cases, which did not evolve into cancer, only because women conducted their prevented exams. Our conversation served as a heartfelt reminder that women’s health is not just about medical appointments or diagnoses, it’s about understanding, compassion, and empowerment. Women should be encouraged to participate in regular medical examinations and to be informed about the risk factors related to their health. What stands out most is the deep emotional connection between health and selfcare, the courage to ask questions, and the power of early prevention.