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For Your Health

Debunking the Myths

To raise Awareness Removal of the fallopian
tubes and ovaries, called a
about Ovarian Cancer salpingo-oophorectomy, is
always a separate
and Gynecologic procedure from a
hysterectomy, which is only
Cancer Broward Health the removal of the uterus.
Technically, a “total”
Medical Center is hysterectomy includes
removal of the cervix, while
turning the town teal. a “partial” or “supra-
cervical” hysterectomy,
leaves the cervix behind.
will be decorated in teal
ribbons at the main entrance Myth 3: Some spotting is
BHMCand women’s center entrance, normal after menopause.
and illuminated outside the building with teal lighting. Uterine bleeding is never Scott Jordan, MD
Turn the Towns Teal is part of a national initiative to raise normal after menopause and should always be investigated
awareness of ovarian cancer. While there is no conclusive by a gynecologist. It can be a warning sign of endometrial
early detection test for ovarian cancer, knowing the symptoms cancer or a precancerous lesion and may need to be treated.
and risk factors can save lives. If detected early, the success Myth 4: After my hysterectomy, I do not need to see a
rate is 90-95%. gynecologist.
All women should continue to follow with a gynecologist for
As part of its focus on ovarian cancer, Broward Health annual exams. If ovaries are left behind, there is still a risk of
Medical Center also will host a virtual free lecture with Scott developing ovarian cysts or even ovarian cancer. Vulvar and
Jordan, MD, on September 23rd at 6pm.
vaginal symptoms can also be evaluated. An annual pelvic
He will lead a discussion on genetic risk factors, warning exam can detect abnormalities early, before a potential
signs, and symptoms of ovarian cancer, as well as treatment problem becomes worse.
strategies. Dr. Jordon will also discuss surgical management, Myth 5: If I am post-menopausal, there is no reason to keep
chemotherapy options, and the role of novel therapeutics such
as PARP inhibitors, anti-VEGF agents, and immunotherapy. my ovaries at the time of my hysterectomy.
Very large population-based studies have demonstrated a
Register online at: www.browardhealth.org/events/healthy- decrease in risk of death from any cause in women under
talk-lecture-series/bhmc-ovarian-cancer-sept-16-2021?type age 65 who kept their ovaries at the time of their
=Healthy%20Talk%20Lecture%20Series
hysterectomy if there was no indication to remove them. There
is also a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and
Debunking the Myths about Gynecologic Cancers improved heart health. Even after menopause, your ovaries
with Dr. Jordan

still work to keep you healthy! RV
Myth 1: Pap smears test for all gynecologic cancers.
Pap smears are only designed to detect cervical cancer (or
precancer cells). They do not screen for ovarian or uterine
cancer.

Myth 2: A “total” hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix,
fallopian tubes and ovaries, while a “partial” hysterectomy
only removes the uterus and cervix.

16 rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com