The silent signals.
What every woman should know about gynecologic cancers
By Justine Roper, PT, DPT | Illustration by Getty Images
Every September, the colors teal and purple quietly emerge as symbols of strength, survival and sisterhood. But the lack of awareness surrounding Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month is something we should not overlook or ignore. There could be pain that lingers, fatigue that doesn’t make sense or a sense that something just isn’t right. What’s often brushed off as things that we consider “normal,” hormonal or stress-related can sometimes be the first sign of something more serious. It is time to sound the alarm and for advocacy to rise.
Dr. Erika Schneider, a local OB-GYN and warrior for women’s health, thinks facts surrounding ovarian and gynecological cancer awareness are too essential not to share. Her honesty, clarity and dedication to women’s health are things to admire and value. No matter your background, this conversation is for you.
THE DOCTOR IN THE DELIVERY ROOM AND BEYOND
Schneider’s story is rooted right here in Florida. She completed her undergraduate studies, medical school, and residency all at the University of Florida.
“After residency, with our first daughter still an infant, we moved to Pensacola,” she said. “It’s been a wonderful place to raise our now three girls.”
She has spent her career walking alongside women going through some of the most vulnerable and sacred seasons of life, including pregnancy, menopause and, unfortunately, cancer, which she has fought herself with both grace and resilience.
WHY THIS MONTH MATTERS
It’s a misconception, of course: Gynecologic cancer awareness doesn’t start and stop with breast cancer. And yet, while breast cancer often receives the most attention, all gynecologic cancers, from uterine to cervical, vulvar, vaginal and ovarian, affect thousands upon thousands of women a year. It is a way to bring together and recognize the full range of these diseases during September. They’re easy to miss because we screen for them infrequently, yet early detection is lifesaving.
Truly, the statistics are sobering. Every year, more than 94,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, the CDC says. Early detection is not only critical; it’s lifesaving.
LISTENING TO THE QUIET SYMPTOMS & KNOWING YOUR RISK
When I work with women in my own pelvic health clinic, one of the most frequent things I hear is, “I thought it was just bloating,” or, “I figured the bleeding was from stress.”
Schneider echoed the same concern.
“Symptoms can be slight, subtle and even occasional,” she said. “Bloating, pelvic pain or pressure, unusual bleeding, especially after menopause, changes in bowel or bladder habits or feeling full quickly when eating.”
If you feel off, it’s not something to ignore. It’s a signal.
One of the most powerful tools we have is knowledge of our family medical history.
“BRCA mutations are well known for increasing breast and ovarian cancer risk,” Schneider explained. “But Lynch syndrome is another one we watch for in uterine and colon cancers.”
Other red flags include age, obesity, never having been pregnant and smoking. Schneider has a balanced view.
“Healthy habits help,” she said, “but they are not a shield. Many women who develop gynecologic cancers have lived very healthy lives. We should never blame ourselves.”
This reminder is important: health doesn’t always prevent illness.
Unlike mammograms for breast cancer, there’s no reliable, routine test to screen for ovarian cancer.
“It’s one of our biggest challenges,” Schneider said. “We rely on symptom awareness, family history and in some high-risk cases, pelvic imaging or bloodwork.”
That’s why annual OB-GYN visits are critical. These appointments are not just for Pap smears or birth control updates. They are valuable moments to notice what’s changed.
And those conversations should start earlier than most people think. Starting in your 20s or 30s, it’s a good idea to have general conversations, especially if there’s a family history. Schneider advises that by your 40s and beyond, these discussions should become more specific. Annual visits with your OB-GYN are essential and they provide opportunities to spot changes early and keep the conversation going.
THE HOPE WE HOLD
“Genetic testing is now much more widely available, so we have the ability to identify high risk women at an earlier stage and offer them more surveillance or even preventative surgery,” Schneider said.
Targeted therapies and minimally invasive procedures have helped, too.
YOUR BODY KNOWS. TRUST IT.
“You are the expert of your own experience,” Schneider said. “If a provider dismisses your concerns, get a second opinion. Keep pushing until someone listens.”
Pause and allow that to sit for a moment.
You do not need permission to speak up. What you need is access, information and someone willing to listen.
