- Early detection is the key to successful treatment of
gynecologic cancers. The five-year survival rates for the most common gynecologic
cancers are 90 percent when diagnosed early, but the survival rates drop to 50 percent
or less for cancers diagnosed later.
- While diagnosis and treatment methods are becoming more
targeted and accurate for gynecologic cancers, nearly 80,000 American women are newly
diagnosed each year, with approximately 29,000 deaths from these cancers
annually in the U.S.
- Gynecologic cancers such as ovarian and endometrial cancer
do not yet have a reliable screening test that can be used for the general population. Knowing
the symptoms is key to early diagnosis.
- Most women are still unaware of their risk factors and
the early symptoms of gynecologic cancers. These symptoms can easily be confused with
common gastrointestinal illnesses, menopause, or perimenopause.
- Many physicians have limited exposure to gynecologic oncology patients during their
training. As a result, many don't consider gynecologic cancers when patients present
with symptoms.
Johanna's Law
would authorize a national gynecologic cancer early detection and awareness
campaign directed at women and their physicians.
|
Gynecologic
Cancers: 5 Year Survival Rates |
Definitions:
| Local |
|
| malignant tumor confined to original organ; |
| Regional |
|
extended beyond original organ to surrounding organs
and tissues,
 lymph nodes; |
| Distant |
|
| extended to remote areas of body from original site. |
Ovarian Cancer – 25,580 new cases with 16,090 deaths
expected this year
| All stages – 53% |
Local – 95% |
Regional – 81% |
Distant – 31% |
(Note: Only 25% of all cases diagnosed
early)
Cervical Cancer – 10,520 new cases with 3,900 deaths
expected this year
| All stages – 71% |
Local – 92% |
Regional – 51% |
Distant – 15% |
(Note: Mostly diagnosed as preinvasive
lesion and is nearly 100% survival. Preinvasive lesions are not counted as part of 10,520
annual cases)
Endometrial Cancer – 40,320 new cases with 7,090 deaths
expected this year
| All stages – 84% |
Local – 96% |
Regional – 64% |
Distant – 26% |
|
|