Join Atrium Health Navicent in Raising Awareness about Gynecological Cancers
September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and physicians at Atrium Health Navicent encourage the community to talk to their health care providers about the most common types of gynecologic cancers as well as treatment options.
Gynecologic cancers are cancers of the female reproductive system, and all women are at risk for developing one of these cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2023 more than 106,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with a gynecological cancer, and more than 32,000 will die from gynecological cancer.
There are five main types of gynecological cancer – cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer, each with different signs and symptoms, as well as different risk factors.
“It’s imperative that women stay current on their well-woman visits and gynecological exams to help detect gynecological cancers early, when treatment is easiest and most effective,” said Dr. Vincent Fang, an Atrium Health Navicent OB-GYN.
“It’s also important to be on the lookout for symptoms such as bleeding or discharge that’s not normal for you, or pain or pressure in the pelvis. While these symptoms may, or may not, be signs of cancer, you should call your doctor right away.”
Screenings for the human papillomavirus (HPV) and Pap smear tests are available for cervical cancer. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. The HPV test looks for the virus, which can cause cell changes on the cervix. The Pap test looks for precancers, which are cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. A HPV vaccine is also available and recommended for children, young adults and some adults up to age 45.
Atrium Health Navicent Women’s Care OB/GYN offers a wide range of gynecological services for patients ranging from teenagers through menopause. Appointments are available in Macon and Forsyth. To schedule an appointment call 478- 633-1821. Gynecological exams are also available on-campus for students, faculty and staff at Central Georgia Technical College and Fort Valley State University. Atrium Health Peyton Anderson Cancer Center provides cancer treatment and survivorship services for patients diagnosed with a variety of cancers, including gynecological cancers. If you or a loved one has concerns about cancer risk factors, available screenings or cancer care, contact Atrium Health Navicent Peyton Anderson Cancer Center at 478-633- 3000. To find a doctor, visit www.NavicentHealth.org and click “Find A Doctor.”
About Atrium Health Navicent
Atrium Health Navicent is the leading provider of health care in central and south Georgia and is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Atrium Health Navicent is part of Advocate Health, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Navicent provides high-quality, personalized care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region. As part of the largest, integrated, nonprofit health system in the Southeast, it is also able to tap into some of the nation’s leading medical experts and specialists with Atrium Health, allowing it to provide the best care close to home – including advanced innovations in virtual medicine and care. Throughout its 125-year history in the community, Atrium Health Navicent has remained dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. It is also one of the leading teaching hospitals in the region, helping to ensure viability for rural health care for the next generation. For more information, please visit www.NavicentHealth.org.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health serves nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs nearly 150,000 team members across 67 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $5 billion in annual community benefits.