Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month

As we leave September and welcome October, we don’t want to miss sharing information for Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, which is a national recognition established by the Foundation for Women’s Cancer in 1999. It is estimated that every five minutes, someone will be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, and over 33,000 will die from gynecologic cancer this year. There are five main types of gynecologic cancer: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar.

With the newly decreased availability for gynecologic cancer care in Iowa, you may be experiencing limited options for your women’s health care. With just a handful of providers remaining in the state for this vital service, the DCH Outpatient Clinic in Leon, Iowa, is proud to provide access to this highly specialized care, not readily available in central and southern Iowa. Decatur County Hospital is excited to announce the addition of Elizabeth Dubil, MD, FACOG, to the DCH Outpatient Clinic team. Dr. Dubil provides Women’s Health services three days each month, including cancer screenings and on-site surgical services.

Cervical cancer symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding, bleeding after vaginal sex, vaginal odor, and pelvic or abdominal pain. Any of these signs should be checked out by a gynecologist.

Ovarian cancer is difficult to screen for, but you should see a gynecologist if you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks: bloating, urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency), pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating, or feeling full quickly.

Endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, is the most common gynecologic cancer. Getting to and staying at a healthy weight is one way to lower your risk of endometrial cancer. See a gynecologist if you experience unusual vaginal bleeding, spotting, or discharge. At menopause, all women are strongly encouraged to report any vaginal bleeding, spotting, or discharge to their doctor.

Signs of vaginal cancer include unusual vaginal bleeding, bleeding after vaginal sex, pain, problems with urination or bowel movements, a watery discharge, or a lump or mass in the vagina. If you experience any of these symptoms, see a gynecologist. Vaginal cancer is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18. The HPV vaccine can be used to prevent HPV infection. Routine wellness visits and cervical cancer screenings can sometimes find early invasive vaginal cancer.

Signs of vulvar cancer or pre-cancer include chronic itching, abnormal bleeding or discharge, skin color changes (lighter or darker, red or pink), and bumps or lumps with wartlike or raw surfaces. Any symptoms should be checked out by a gynecologist. While there is no standard screening for vulvar cancer, knowing what to look for can help with early detection. If you notice an area on the vulva that looks different than normal, a bump or lump (red, pink or white), thickening of the skin of the vulva, or an open sore, visit with your doctor.

In addition to cancer screenings, specific diagnoses and treatments offered in Dr. Dubil’s women’s health clinic include: annual pap exams, abnormal pap smears, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, evaluation and treatment of menstrual irregularities, well-woman exams, evaluation and treatment of vaginal infections, surgical interventions, and more.

In addition to clinic exams, and our robust cancer care services, Dr. Dubil also has access to the advanced technology of our permanent, in-house MRI service to look for and diagnose advanced conditions of the pelvic area. A pelvic MRI is a specialized scan that creates images of the pelvic floor in women. This scanning technique helps Dr. Dubil find problems with the pelvic bones, reproductive organs, bladder, bowels, and lymph nodes. A pelvic MRI can also help stage and screen for certain cancers, and provide information for treatment and surgical planning.

For exceptional women’s health care, close to home, call us at 641-446-2285 schedule an appointment in our DCH Outpatient Clinic. Depending on your insurance, you likely do not need a referral to see Dr. Dubil. To learn more about our women’s health services, visit https://www.decaturcountyhospital.org/gynecology.