Vaginal and reproductive diseases are not the same as STD's and STI's
Vaginal and reproductive diseases are not common.
They are located in a very sensitive and delicate area of a woman's body.
I like to call this sensitive and delicate area "Mother Earth' and the vagina "Queen Mother Earth".
Reproductive cancer affect all organs of the reproductive system the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, the cervix, the vagina and even the vulva itself.
These organs are located in the pelvic region which is the area behind the public hairs and between the hip bone.
In simple terms, cancer forms when normal cells become damaged or old and they do not die.
The body continues to make more cells along with the damage cells creating extra cells. The damages/abnormal cells attack the healthy cell and invade healthy tissue.
The damaged now abnormal cells do not die like they should instead they divide uncontrollably forming masses or lumps of tissue.
These lumps or masses of tissue are called tumors.
Just as healthy bacteria is naturally in the vagina according to researchers and doctors, cancer cells form naturally in the body on a daily bases.
Diet, exercise, vitamins and herbs play a very large part in overall good health.
It is imperative that you have and maintain a strong immune system.
We hear about the immune system all the time but, do we really know what it is or how it looks and the big one where is it?
Before I did my research, I honestly thought the immune system was just having a strong healthy body.
So, what is the Immune System?
The immune system is a group of organs, substances (proteins and tissues) and specific cells.
That's right, organs, cells. Who knew?
I had no idea.
They (whoever "they" are) never really explain to us what the immune system is.
The organs, proteins, tissues and specific cells protect your body and you from infections from harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites and diseases that try to invade your body.
Click here for more information on the Immune System
There are more than 100 types of cancers that can attack humans.
All cancer start in the cells of your body therefore, caner can develop anywhere inside of your body as well as on your body.
When healthy, the body operates in perfect harmony.
However, there are things in life that can cause cell operation to grow disorderly.
In some people alcohol can cause a disruption, eating unhealthy, refine foods can cause a disruption, stress can cause a disruption, chemicals can cause a disruption in the orderly function the cells.
The list can go on and on.
Again, this is why you should know and listen to your body because it is always talking to you.
In general, most cancers are named after the cell type or the organ they developed in.
For example, if cancer starts in the ovaries (Ovarian Cancer/primary ovarian cancer) and it spreads to the uterus meaning the cancer cells of the ovaries attack and mutated the healthy cells and tissue of the uterus this is called metastasized ovarian cancer or secondary cancer.
In other words, the cancer has spread from the ovaries to the uterus.
There are three ways that cancer spread or travel in the body:
Blood Travel:
Tissue/Local Travel:
Lymphatic system Travel:
Click here for more information on the three ways cancer spreads
The two (2) principal types of uterine cancers are Endometrial cancer and Uterine sarcoma.
These cancers develop in different parts of the uterus.
Uterine Adenocarcinoma/Endometrium Cancer
Endometrial Cancer is uterine cancer.
It is cancer that starts in the inner tissue lining cells of the uterus.
The inner lining of the uterus cavity is called the endometrium; it is the innermost layer/first layer of the uterus.
Located in the pelvis region, the uterus it is a hollow organ.
There are three parts to the uterus:
The top called the fundus is dome shaped; the Fallopian tubes are on each side of the fundus with the ovaries at the end of each tube.
The middle called the corpus/body or womb; this is where a fetus grows into a baby.
The bottom called the cervix/the neck is the narrow part at the top of the inner vaginal canal.
There hollow uterus is fortified by a three layer wall starting from the inside outward:
Endometrium: inner lining/ mucous membrane
Myometrium: middle/smooth muscle layer
Perimetrium: outer lining/loose connective tissue
Click here for more information on Endometrium Cancer
Uterine Sarcoma/Myometrium Cancer
Uterine sarcoma is cancer that starts in the cells of the uterus muscle and other connective tissue of the uterus.
Sarcomas are cancers that develop in the cells of muscles, connective tissue, fat and bones.
There are two types of uterine sarcomas:
Uterine Leiomyosarcomas develops in the cells of the muscular wall of the uterus, the myometrium.
Endometrial Stromal Sarcomas this form of uterine cancer develops in the connective tissue of the uterus.
Uterine sarcoma is a rare type of cancer of the uterus.
It usually develop in women after menopause.
Click here for more information on Uterine Sarcoma
Cervical Cancer
The cervix is the portion of the uterus that is located at the bottom of the uterus body and just above the internal vaginal canal.
It is a bit more than an inch and a half long.
There is a hole/opening at the bottom of the cervix in the portion that protrudes into the vagina.
The opening in the uterus is the outlet for your monthly period (shedding of the endometrium), it is also the inlet for sperm to travel through to fertilize the egg.
It is the cervix that effaces (rub/thin out) and dilates (expand) to ready a woman's body for delivery.
Cervical cancer is cancer that begins in the cells of the cervix.
It is the second most common cancer after endometrium cancer.
Most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and 18.
Click here for more information on Cervical Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the ovaries.
The ovaries are located in the pelvis on each side of the uterus at the end of the fallopian tubes.
They are about the size of almonds.
The ovaries are responsible for making the female hormones estrogen and progesterone and producing eggs.
The ovaries also produces testosterone.
There are three main types of ovarian cancer:
Epithelial ovarian tumors
Germ cell ovarian tumors
Stromal tumors.
Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type of ovarian cancer.
It is believed to start in the epithelium tissue (surface) of the ovaries.
Out of all the cancers of the reproductive system ovarian cancer causes more deaths.
Most women who develop ovarian cancer have a family history of female cancers, were never pregnant, usually over the age of 55, or women who have incomplete menopausal hormone therapy taking e.g. taking estrogen without progesterone
Click here for more information on Ovarian Cancer
Fallopian Tube Cancer
Fallopian tube cancer or Tubal cancer is a rare cancer of the reproductive system.
Fallopian tubes or Oviducts are thin tubes (2) each around 4 or 5 inches long and are located in the pelvis.
The tubes run between the ovaries and the uterus across the top of the uterus extending outward with the ovaries at the end.
Fallopian tubes are responsible for transporting the egg from the ovary to the uterus.
It is rare for cancer to begin in the fallopian tubes it is more likely that it will metastasize or spread from the ovaries or the uterus to the fallopian tubes.
The most common types of fallopian cancers are cancer of the glands in other words in cells that line the inside of the fallopian tubes known as Endometrioid and Serous adenocarcinoma.
The are several types of cells that make up the fallopian tubes. Cancer can develop in any of these cells.
Although rare, women who develop tubal cancer have gone through or going through menopause, are between 50-65 the peak being 60 to 64 years.
Usually develops in Caucasian women more than any other race of women however other races are not immune.
Click here for more information on Fallopian Tube Cancer
Vaginal Canal Cancer
Vaginal canal cancer is a very rare cancer of the reproductive system.
The vaginal canal or birthing canal is the passage way that connects the internal reproductive organs (uterus) to the external reproductive organs (vulva).
The vaginal canal starts from the cervix to the vagina's opening. It is the passage way for monthly periods and baby delivery.
In its relaxed state (non-aroused) the vagina walls are collapsed touching one another.
Vaginal canal cancer is cancer that develops in the cells of the walls that line the vagina or the tissue glands.
There are five types of vaginal cancer:
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma (four (4) types)
Melanoma
Sarcoma (three (3) types)
Small cell vaginal cancer
With Squamous cell carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma being the most common of these very rare types of gynecological cancer.
Click here for more information on Vaginal canal cancer
Vulvar Cancer
Vulvar cancer is another rare cancer of the reproductive system.
The vulva is the outer surface area of the female genitalia. The vulva is the area of skin that surrounds the clitoris, urethra, and the vaginal opening.
The vulva consists of the mons pubis, clitoris hood and clitoris, urethra, major and minor labia, hymen and the opening of the vagina
Vulvar cancer can affect any part of the vulvar, but it most commonly affects the labia major.
There are several types of vulvar cancer but the most common types are:
Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma
Vulvar melanoma
Vulvar cancer mainly occurs in elderly women (women between 65-70 yrs old). However, it can occur at any age.
Click here for more information on Vulvar cancer
Vaginal Health/ Vaginal and Reproductive Diseases