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Female service members stand on the flightline for Women's History Month at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 19, 2021. The service members participated in the Air Force's two-week advanced aerial combat training exercise, Red Flag. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Rubenak)

Cancers of the Female Reproductive System

Knowing your body is the first step to understanding what's normal for you, when something changes and when you may be experiencing warning signs of gynecologic cancer.

Signs and symptoms are different for every woman, and each type of cancer has its own signs and symptoms. But, there are some things to watch for:

Unusual vaginal bleeding (i.e. after sex, after menopause, between periods, etc.)
Heavier, longer periods than normal
Vaginal discharge that is watery or contains blood
Pelvic pain or pain during sex

If you're experiencing any of the above or any other changes in your body that last longer than two weeks, talk to your provider right away.

Lower Your Risk by Staying Healthy

You can lower your risk by making healthy choices. Follow the guidelines below to lower your risk of getting any type of gynecologic cancer.

Getting regular health screenings can help you detect cancer early when treatment is most likely to work. TRICARE covers annual well woman exams for women under age 65, which includes breast exams, pelvic exams, pap smears, testing for human papillomavirus and other screenings and services as recommended during the exam.
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Vaccines can lower your risk for cancer. The HPV vaccine helps prevent most cervical cancers and many other kinds of cancers. TRICARE covers the HPV vaccine for males and females as recommended by the CDC.

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You can reduce your risk of getting any cancers by making healthy choices:

Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid tobacco
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
Practice safe sex

Types of Gynecologic Cancer

Gynecologic cancer is any type of cancer that begins in a woman’s reproductive system. The type of cancer is named based on where the cancer begins.

Each type of cancer is unique and may have its own signs and symptoms, risk factors and prevention strategies. All women are at risk and that risk usually increases with age.

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