Last year, 45 Iowa women died needlessly from cervical cancer.

“Regular Pap smears can prevent cervical cancer by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix before they develop into cancer,” says David Bender, MD, UI Women’s Health gynecologist. “Pre-cancerous changes in the cervix can take years to develop into a cancer.”

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Early ovarian cancer may not cause obvious symptoms, but as it progresses, symptoms may include abdominal pain and bloating, nausea, indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea.

Endometrial or uterine cancer usually occurs after menopause. Because abnormal vaginal bleeding is a common symptom, women should not assume abnormal bleeding is part of menopause and should be evaluated by a physician.

UI Hospitals and Clinics gynecologic cancer specialists use surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to treat gynecologic cancer.

Be aware

Prevention and awareness play large roles in women’s health care. Here are some suggested screenings:

For women of all ages

• Cholesterol
• Blood pressure
• Glucose
• Check on immunizations
• Body mass index
• HIV
• Dental
• Skin cancer
• Breast cancer self-exam
• Urinalysis

Women over 20

• Begin Pap smear/pelvic exams

Women over 30

• Thyroid

Women over 40

• Baseline mammogram
• Diabetes

Women over 50

• Colonoscopy (every 10 years)
• Fecal occult blood test

Women 60 and older

• Pneumonia vaccination
• Flu vaccination
• Bone density

PMS: What are your options? 

Many women know it’s close to their menstrual period when they experience common signals such as breast tenderness, bloating, and feeling a bit irritated. And that’s very normal.

For some women, however, premenstrual symptoms are anything but normal. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the name of a cluster of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that can range from manageable to life-altering. The symptoms generally are most severe a week or two preceding your period but in serious cases can last longer, and improve once your period begins.

PMS symptoms include breast swelling and tenderness, fatigue, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, constipation or diarrhea, headaches, food cravings and appetite changes, joint or muscle pain, tension and irritability, mood swings, depression, and trouble concentrating and remembering.

For some women, alternatives in lifestyle give them relief—exercise, get enough sleep, quit smoking, and avoid alcohol, sugars, caffeine, and salt. It also helps to learn—and use—stress reduction techniques to help you deal more effectively with stress. Keeping a symptoms calendar can help you understand your symptom patterns, identify triggers, and help predict when your symptoms flare up.

William Davis, MD, UI Hospitals and Clinics gynecologist, says medical therapy for moderate to severe PMS includes:

• Ibuprofen-type drugs for pain management
• Spironolactone for water retention
• SSRIs [Prozac-like drugs] taken after ovulation or continuously can significantly improve mood and functioning
• A new oral contraceptive [Yaz® or Yasmin®], high dose synthetic progesterone, or Lupron Depot® to suppress ovulation