Now, without leaving the home or the office, women can find out about their risk for developing a gynecological, or reproductive, cancer and how to reduce that risk. By putting together this web site, we hope to increase the number of patients whose cancers are caught in the earliest stages, or even in precancerous stages, when there's the best chance for treatment and cure. Besides getting information on risk factors and symptoms, women can find out their personal risk level for reproductive cancer. In about 10 minutes, site visitors can type in some basic medical and family history, then receive an immediate, confidential assessment of their individual risk. The site gives information on the role of a gynecological oncologist, and information on ovarian, endometrial, cervical and breast cancer.
Women can scan basic facts, symptoms, risk factors, treatment options and other information.
The site posts the latest news from national media on reproductive cancer and provides links to other sources, including how to find cancer treatment specialists in their area. HRT is thought to help protect against heart disease in post-menopausal women, as well as to lower the risk of osteoporosis. HERS is tracking the incidence of heart disease, breast and endometrial cancer in participants, all of whom have known coronary disease, have had a heart attack, bypass or other cardiac interventions. Preliminary data points to some increased risk for women with coronary artery disease who take HRT, but that risk will be weighed against the benefits documented after analysis of all the information, says Dr. Kristin Newby, a cardiologist at Duke. And that, she says, is for women with coronary disease, who would be at higher risk than women without heart problems.