When should you worry about your menstrual cycle?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding can be a symptom of several gynecologic cancers, including cervical, endometrial (uterine) and vaginal. But if you’ve never had a regular menstrual period, you might not know what "abnormal" means.
What constitutes a “normal” menstrual period? How many days should you expect to bleed, and how much time should elapse between each cycle? And, when should you be concerned enough about any...
Demystifying the well-woman: What to expect during this annual exam
If you’ve never had a well-woman exam before, you might be wondering what to expect. Is it similar to an annual physical? Which parts of your...
I have HPV. Now what?
We all hope the awkwardness is over after we get our Pap and HPV tests. So hearing that you have tested positive for HPV can be a blow...
Patient with vaginal cancer with DDR mutation benefits from clinical trial
In March 2019, Shelly Busby began experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding. Frightened and concerned, she went to her OB/GYN for an examination and biopsy.
“There was something there that didn’t belong,” says Shelly, 67, a retired schoolteacher. “There was a tumor, and before I knew it, I was having surgery to have it removed.”
She was diagnosed with stage III vaginal cancer, for which there is currently no approved therapy...
Should your kids get the HPV vaccine during COVID-19?
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic stretches on, the HPV vaccine may not seem like a priority for parents worried about keeping their...
Vaginal cancer survivor grateful for MD Anderson
Mary Taylor thought she was experiencing pelvic pain due to endometriosis in early 2015. She never suspected it was a symptom of vaginal cancer...
10 questions about gynecologic cancers
Each year, approximately 100,000 women are diagnosed with some form of gynecologic cancer: cervical, ovarian, fallopian tube, uterine (also...
Q&A: Sexual intimacy problems in cancer patients
Sexual problems are one of the most common long-term side effects that cancer patients face. In a survey of MD Anderson cancer patients, almost...
Why I vaccinate my sons against HPV
As a cervical cancer survivor, I have spent considerable time and energy trying to protect my children from cancer. I didn't want them to...