Prof. Dr. Daniela Dörfler is a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology at Wiener Privatklinik, Vienna, Austria. She worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Embryology and Histology and as a physician assistant in the Department of Radiotherapy and Biology at the University Hospital Vienna.
It is:
- Medical Director of the Institute for Sex Pedagogy and Sex Therapies (ISP),
- Head of the outpatient clinic for children and adolescents in gynaecology,
- founder and director of the crisis outpatient clinic,
- Member of the management team of the Child Protection Group at AKH Vienna,
- Senior Physician at the Urogynecology Outpatient Clinic and the Beckeboden Center at the Vienna General Hospital
- Chairman of the ÖGG Working Group on Child and Adolescent Gynaecology (AGKI).
What are the most common gynaecological cancers?
Some of the most common gynecological cancers are:
- cervical dysplasia,
- carcinoma of the mammary gland,
- endometrial carcinoma,
- ovarian cancer,
- tuberous carcinoma,
- others.
What are the symptoms women should watch out for?
Some of the symptoms every woman should watch out for include:
- increase in abdominal girth (ovarian carcinoma),
- lumps,
- hardened sections,
- atypical tissue in the breast (breast carcinoma)
- postmenopausal symptoms (and bleeding).
List the risk factors for gynecologic cancers?
Some of the risk factors are:
- family history - genetic predisposition (BRCA1 gene = breast cancer 1) to gynaecological diseases in the family,
- HPV infections - risk factors for cervical carcinoma and cervical dysplasia,
- lifestyle (obesity) - increases the risk of endometrial cancer.
What are the diagnostic methods?
For diagnostic purposes:
- PAP test
- ultrasound examinations
- tumour markers or imaging in case of suspicion
Cancer and fertility - what do we need to know about them?
If the cancer is detected at an early stage and treatment is started immediately, there are no obstacles to fertility and childbirth. In order to preserve the breast, it is possible to take specific measures (quadrant resection instead of ablation). When ovarian cancer is detected at an early stage, an adnexectomy can be performed instead of a hysterectomy.
Can gynaecological cancer be prevented?
It is indeed possible to prevent the development of gynaecological cancer if some specific measures are taken in time. It is good to take care of our lifestyle and nutrition. The HPV vaccine, Gardasil 9, is also an option. It can also be vaccinated in children over 9 years of age. For people over 20 or having sex, regular check-ups with a specialist are also preventive. Self-monitoring is also good. If BRCA1 is detected, a specially designed screening programme should be followed, which includes regular check-ups, and genetic clarification should only be carried out after the age of 18. Both diabetes and high blood pressure are not to be ignored. If they are present, it is a good idea to consult a specialist.
