Gynaecological cancer is something more and more UK women are becoming aware of. Apart from visiting your gynaecologist, London women can take further steps to reduce the risk of suffering from gynaecological cancer. Read on to find out how.
Attend regular gynaecological cancer screenings
It’s important to book in and attend regular smear and gynaecological cancer screening appointments. These tests are put in place to find any abnormality in your cells, catching them before they turn cancerous. Catching these abnormalities early significantly reduces your risk of developing gynaecological cancer. If you haven’t had a smear test for the last 3 years, get in touch with your GP or gynaecologist today to make an appointment.
HPV vaccinations
Boys and girls who are in secondary school are offered a HPV vaccination. Having this injection reduces the risk of gynaecological cancer by almost 90%. As well as making a difference to cervical cancer, the vaccination also helps prevent vulval, vaginal and throat cancer too.
Quitting smoking
Everyone associates smoking with cancer. It affects our immunity to the disease and also increases the risk of suffering from gynaecological cancer. There are plenty of options out there to help you quit smoking – a step that could seriously reduce the risk of you developing cancer.
Maintaining a healthy body
Having a higher BMI has been associated with certain diseases such as endometrial cancer. Maintaining your BMI at a healthy level can reduce the risk of developing cancer. This is particularly important when you reach your 40’s. Combining great nutrition with exercise will help regulate your BMI, ensuring it’s not elevated.
Look for unusual symptoms
Abnormal bleeding that happens between your periods or bleeding after sex can be signs of cancer. You also shouldn’t experience any abnormal bleeding after menopause. If you are experiencing any type of irregular bleeding, get in touch with your doctor or gynaecologist right away.
Other than bleeding, there are other symptoms to look out for to reduce the risk of gynaecological cancer. Discomfort in the lower abdomen, regular bloating, indigestion and general discomfort in the lower stomach can sometimes signify ovarian cancer. If you are regularly experiencing any of these symptoms, you should not ignore them.