Cancer Screenings

Dr Jayeshnee Moodley is a qualified and leading gynaecologist with a particular interest in gynaecological oncology, providing comprehensive gynaecological screenings for ovarian and cervical cancer.

One of the most critical aspects of your routine pelvic examination with your gynaecologist is the screening for female reproductive cancers. Regular screenings help detect cancer and increase survival rates if found early, thanks to effective treatment methods.

Ovarian Cancer

The ovaries are small glands on either side of the uterus. They store eggs and produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Unfortunately, cancer cells can develop in or around the ovaries. Ovarian cancer is the most common cancer in women and accounts for more deaths than any other female reproductive cancer.

While all women are at risk of developing ovarian cancer, it is primarily hereditary, so if you have a family history of ovarian cancer, it could increase your odds of developing it too. This is why it is essential to visit your gynaecologist for regular cancer screenings.

Regular screenings are even more vital because symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague and misleading, leading to a late diagnosis. Symptoms are also common with many other non-cancerous diseases or can be attributable to cancer or disease of other organs.

Common ovarian cancer symptoms include:

• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Quickly feeling full when eating
• Weight loss
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Fatigue
• Back pain
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• A frequent need to urinate

During an ovarian cancer screening, Dr Moodley performs a blood test and a scan, but additional tests are often needed to confirm the diagnosis.

An ultrasound scan allows Dr Moodley to detect changes in your ovaries using a transvaginal scanning device inserted into the vagina. Transvaginal ultrasounds utilise higher-frequency ultrasound probes placed into the vagina and can image pelvic structures like the uterus and ovaries with greater magnification. Unfortunately, many physicians only do a sonogram instead of a transvaginal ultrasound. However, Dr Moodley strongly believes in them because it provides a more accurate view of the ovaries.

If the ultrasound reveals a mass on the ovary and further testing confirms ovarian cancer, Dr Moodley will discuss your treatment options and guide you through the process.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer develops when tissue cells change abnormally in the cervix, the canal that connects the uterus and the vagina. Cervical cancer can affect the deeper tissues of the cervix and may spread to other parts of the body.

Most cervical cancer cases are caused by human papillomavirus infection (HPV). However, some factors could put you more at risk of developing cervical cancer, including:

• If you were sexually active before 16 or within a year of starting menstruation
• If you take contraceptives
• Having multiple sexual partners
• Having a weakened immune system
• Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Cervical cancer progresses very slowly, so there's usually time to diagnose and treat it before it causes serious problems. However, the slow growth also means that Thanks to improved screening through Pap Smear Tests, the survival rate amongst women has improved significantly.

Dr Moodley typically performs a pap smear during your routine gynaecological exam and will use the results to determine whether you need treatment for cervical cancer.