vulvar cancer questions?

yeahright
yeahright Member Posts: 54
edited March 2014 in Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine) #1
Has anyone who had vulvar cancer get regular blood test. I know that people dx with other kinds of cancer receive blood test? I was just wondering b/c when I go for my check ups I just get a 5 min exam and I am on my way. Not that I am complaining or anything I just wanted to know if there was some more stuff out there. Not much to go on because there isnt alot of information for vulvar cancer out there

Comments

  • funbeadgirl
    funbeadgirl Member Posts: 181 Member
    #2
    blood test for vc
    There is no known blood test available to test for vulvar cancer, I had surgery for vc in Jan 2009, and have always just had a visual exam, and doc also checked tissue for any other tumors or skin changes. I also had radiation, so I do have a PET/CT scan every 6 months to check for any further tumor growth also. The best way to kkep vc in check is a monthly self exam, just like women should do for their breast, checking for lumps, skin chages, etc. ALL women from the time they start menstruation need to do this...if I had, I would have seen the changes, but I ignored it. I wish you the best.
  • Shimmer
    Shimmer Member Posts: 2
    #3
    funbeadgirl said:

    blood test for vc
    There is no known blood test available to test for vulvar cancer, I had surgery for vc in Jan 2009, and have always just had a visual exam, and doc also checked tissue for any other tumors or skin changes. I also had radiation, so I do have a PET/CT scan every 6 months to check for any further tumor growth also. The best way to kkep vc in check is a monthly self exam, just like women should do for their breast, checking for lumps, skin chages, etc. ALL women from the time they start menstruation need to do this...if I had, I would have seen the changes, but I ignored it. I wish you the best.

    Vulvar self exams
    Until I was diagnosed I had never even conceived of the need to do vulvar self exams -- and I am an RN! I am trying to figure out how to get the word out on a large scale. Any thoughts?
  • funbeadgirl
    funbeadgirl Member Posts: 181 Member
    #4
    Shimmer said:

    Vulvar self exams
    Until I was diagnosed I had never even conceived of the need to do vulvar self exams -- and I am an RN! I am trying to figure out how to get the word out on a large scale. Any thoughts?

    vulvar self exam
    hello shimmer,
    hope you are doing well after your diagnosis, i wish you the best. maybe the best we can do is to tell other women about our cancer openly. I have found that many women are embarrassed about having vulvar cancer, that is a shame, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. I remember years ago it was difficult to talk about breast cancer, not so much anymore. I know the occurrence rate for VC is much lower than for breast, but really, it is as devastating nonetheless. In the beginning it was hard to explain my type of cancer when people would ask, but I decided to get over my inhibitions and just say it. Someone needs to start talking about this vulvar self exam, doctors also being informed. Hang in there, you are in my thoughts.
  • yeahright
    yeahright Member Posts: 54
    #5
    Shimmer said:

    Vulvar self exams
    Until I was diagnosed I had never even conceived of the need to do vulvar self exams -- and I am an RN! I am trying to figure out how to get the word out on a large scale. Any thoughts?

    My thought as well. It is
    My thought as well. It is hard to explain to people what kind of cancer you have. It almost fill like a shame is attached to it. I try and tell women to check that area just like you do your breast. Most women didnt even know anything about it. I never heard of it until they told me. I believe we need to get over out own fears of what people would say because we can be saving a life with out story. Stay strong I know it it hard to deal with but we can make it

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