{"id":12266,"date":"2025-03-03T15:29:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T15:29:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/?p=12266"},"modified":"2025-03-14T16:02:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T16:02:04","slug":"why-women-should-discuss-family-history-of-cancer-with-their-gp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/womens-healthcare\/why-women-should-discuss-family-history-of-cancer-with-their-gp\/","title":{"rendered":"Why women should discuss family history of cancer with their GP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-12267\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03151636\/vicky-1741014996-Hazel-OSullivan-Headshotv2.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03151636\/vicky-1741014996-Hazel-OSullivan-Headshotv2.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03151636\/vicky-1741014996-Hazel-OSullivan-Headshotv2-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Dr. Hazel O\u2019Sullivan<\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Medical Oncologist, Cork University Hospital<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"240\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-12268\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03152159\/vicky-1741015319-Ruaidhri-headshot.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03152159\/vicky-1741015319-Ruaidhri-headshot.jpg 240w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03152159\/vicky-1741015319-Ruaidhri-headshot-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Ruaidhr\u00ed McVey<\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Gynaecologist Subspecialising in Gynaecological Oncology, Mater and St Vincents Hospital<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Experts in the field of gynaecological oncology emphasise the importance of accurate family history, genetic testing and surgical advances in care to improve outcomes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Experts in <a href=\"https:\/\/thisisgo.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">gynaecological oncology<\/a> urge individuals to be proactive in discussing family history with their GP, as early identification of genetic risks can lead to improved outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-genetics-influence-gynaecological-cancer-risk\"><strong>Genetics influence gynaecological cancer risk<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Hazel O\u2019Sullivan, Medical Oncologist at Cork University Hospital, explains: \u201cFamily history is one of the most important factors when assessing the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. While only about 5% of all cancers are inherited, the proportion is much higher for certain gynaecological cancers at approximately 10\u201315%.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr O\u2019Sullivan adds: \u201cBy identifying gene alterations, we can offer risk-reducing surgery in some cases. For those already diagnosed, genetic profiling of the tumour can determine eligibility for targeted therapies, improving survival rates.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"healt-532593768\"><div class=\"healt-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div id=\"healt-1723007371\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/thisisgo.ie\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"vicky-1741016616-GSK desk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03154336\/vicky-1741016616-GSK-desk.jpg\" alt=\"\"  width=\"750\" height=\"250\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-advances-in-gynaecological-cancer-care\"><strong>Advances in <\/strong><strong>gynaecological<\/strong><strong> cancer care<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The landscape of gynaecological cancer is complex, each of the five distinct types comes with unique diagnostic challenges and treatment approaches. Ruaidhr\u00ed McVey, specialising in gynaecological oncology, highlights how the recent evolution of surgical techniques is facilitating treatment precision. \u201cThe ability to tailor surgery to the individual patient, balancing the need for radical treatment with preserving quality of life, is one of the biggest advances in recent years,\u201d explains McVey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMinimally invasive procedures, such as robotic and laparoscopic surgery, allow for quicker recovery times, reduced complications and improved long-term outcomes for patients with uterine cancer. Many procedures can now be done on a day-case basis,\u201d adds McVey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Surgeons can now remove localised vulvar tumours while preserving healthy tissue, using special dyes and near-infrared imaging to identify the sentinel lymph node. For more advanced ovarian cancers, extensive surgical interventions combined with contemporary heated intra-abdominal chemotherapy are also improving survival rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You are not alone, you will be <br>listened to, and you will remain <br>in control of your examination.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-symptom-recognition-and-screening\"><strong>Symptom recognition and screening<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Awareness is critical, alongside recognition of symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, persistent bloating or swelling, abdominal pain, early satiety and altered bowel habits. \u201cVulvar pain, bleeding and ulcerations are not normal in post-menopausal women and should always be examined,\u201d explains McVey. \u201cIf you have abnormal bleeding or unexplained pelvic symptoms, you should be examined regardless of your smear history \u2014 which doesn\u2019t check for ovarian or uterine cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McVey emphasises: \u201cYou are not alone, you will be listened to, and you will remain in control of your examination.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"healt-1602260716\"><div class=\"healt-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div id=\"healt-2850427151\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/thisisgo.ie\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"vicky-1741016616-GSK desk\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03154336\/vicky-1741016616-GSK-desk.jpg\" alt=\"\"  width=\"750\" height=\"250\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-resource-for-gynaecological-cancers\"><strong>Resource for gynaecological cancers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The online personalised platform <a href=\"https:\/\/thisisgo.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">thisisGO.ie<\/a> is part funded by the Irish Cancer Society Women&#8217;s Health Initiative and developed in University College Dublin teaching hospitals. thisisGO.ie is for women, families and health care professionals who have been impacted or work with gynaecological cancer, BRCA or Lynch syndrome. It has 1000&#8217;s of resources including articles, videos, clinical trials portal and podcasts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"color:#32373c;background-color:#f26634\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-notice ab-font-size-18 ab-block-notice\" data-id=\"5e5432\"><div class=\"ab-notice-text\" style=\"border-color:#f26634\"><p>For more information and guidance, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thisisgo.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.thisisGO.ie<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/public.gsk.ie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/public.gsk.ie\/<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/14160155\/vicky-1741968113-INGO-GO-Day-FB_IG-Post_V2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12323\" style=\"width:768px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/14160155\/vicky-1741968113-INGO-GO-Day-FB_IG-Post_V2.png 1080w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/14160155\/vicky-1741968113-INGO-GO-Day-FB_IG-Post_V2-125x125.png 125w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/14160155\/vicky-1741968113-INGO-GO-Day-FB_IG-Post_V2-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/14160155\/vicky-1741968113-INGO-GO-Day-FB_IG-Post_V2-600x600.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Experts in the field of gynaecological oncology emphasise the importance of accurate family history, genetic testing and surgical advances in care to improve outcomes. Experts in gynaecological oncology urge individuals to be proactive in discussing family history with their GP, as early identification of genetic risks can lead to improved outcomes. Genetics influence gynaecological cancer &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/womens-healthcare\/why-women-should-discuss-family-history-of-cancer-with-their-gp\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":12261,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2085],"tags":[5959],"class_list":["post-12266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-womens-healthcare","tag-womens-health-q1-2025"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03150019\/vicky-1741014018-AdobeStock_721140553-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2025\/03\/03150019\/vicky-1741014018-AdobeStock_721140553-600x600.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"henryphillips","author_link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/author\/henryphillips\/"},"vicky_index_order":"6","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12266"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12324,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12266\/revisions\/12324"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}