How Do You Screen for Endometrial Cancer
The scientific community has not yet identified a simple, reliable way to screen for endometrial cancer. It’s important to distinguish between screening and diagnostic testing, though. Screening is typically performed on patients who haven’t exhibited any symptoms of the disease at issue. Diagnostic testing, on the other hand, is generally used for patients who have either already started experiencing symptoms or already undergone screening that suggested an abnormality.
While there’s no way to screen for endometrial cancer at this time, there are diagnostic tests available, including endometrial tissue sampling. This involves taking a small sample of the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) via an endometrial biopsy, dilation and curettage or hysteroscopy, then evaluating the sample under a microscope to determine if any cancer cells are present.
Endometrial cancer symptoms
Because there’s currently no way to conduct routine uterine cancer screenings, it’s important for all women to be familiar with endometrial cancer symptoms so that they can watch out for signs of the disease and seek diagnostic testing, if needed. One of the most common symptoms of endometrial cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding, which may occur between menstrual periods or after menopause. Other symptoms include:
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Pain or pressure within the pelvis
- Pain during urination or sexual intercourse
- Anemia
- Unexplained weight loss
For more information
To learn more about endometrial cancer, contact Moffitt Cancer Center by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing a new patient registration form online to request an appointment. We’ll be glad to tell you more about the uterine cancer diagnostic tests we offer through our gynecological clinic.