The pathology and treatment of women with granulosa cell tumours of the ovary is complex. Such women should be managed in a multidisciplinary gynaecological oncology unit. A better understanding of the molecular pathology may assist treatment.

Lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer in Lynch syndrome carriers is very high and females are also at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of gynecological screening in MSH2 mutation carriers. Gynecological cancer incidence and overall survival was compared in female mutation carriers who received gynecological screening (cases) and in matched controls. Controls were randomly selected from non-screened mutation carriers who were alive and disease-free at the age the case entered the screening program. Median age to diagnosis of gynecological cancer was 54 years in the screened group compared to 56 years in controls (p = 0.50). Stage I or II cancer was diagnosed in 92% of screened patients compared to 71% in the control group (p = 0.17). Two of three deaths in the screened group were the result of ovarian cancer. Mean survival in the screened group was 79 years compared to 69 years in the control group (p = 0.11), likely associated with concomitant colonoscopy screening. Gynecological screening did not result in earlier gynecologic cancer detection and despite screening two young women died from ovarian cancer suggesting that prophylactic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy be considered in female mutation carriers who have completed childbearing.

BackgroundWomen who carry a mutation for Lynch syndrome face complex decisions regarding strategies for managing their increased cancer risks. At present, there is limited understanding of the factors influencing women’s prophylactic surgery decisions.MethodsAs part of an exploratory pilot project, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 women who were Lynch syndrome mutation carriers and had made prophylactic surgery decisions. Nine of 10 women had chosen to undergo prophylactic hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy as a means of managing their increased gynecological cancer risks.ResultsStudy findings revealed that surgery decisions were influenced by multiple factors, including demographic variables such as age and parity, as well as psychosocial factors such as cancer worry, in addition to personal and social knowledge of gynecological cancer. While all women were satisfied with their surgery decision, some reported they were not fully informed about the negative impact on their quality of life post-surgery (e.g., complications of surgically-induced menopause), nor about the potential for, or risks and benefits of, hormone replacement therapy.ConclusionsStudy findings highlight some of the factors associated with prophylactic surgery decisions and women’s perceptions about pre-surgical information provision and needs. Suggestions are made for improving the information and support provided to female carriers of a Lynch syndrome mutation.

BackgroundCervical cancer is highly preventable and treatable if detected early through regular screening. Women in the Canadian province of Newfoundland & Labrador have relatively low rates of cervical cancer screening, with rates of around 40 % between 2007 and 2009. Persistent infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary cause for the development of cervical cancer, and HPV testing, including self-sampling, has been suggested as an alternative method of cervical cancer screening that may alleviate some barriers to screening. Our objective was to determine whether offering self-collected HPV testing screening increased cervical cancer screening rates in rural communities.MethodsDuring the 2-year study, three community-based cohorts were assigned to receive either i) a cervical cancer education campaign with the option of HPV testing; ii) an educational campaign alone; iii) or no intervention. Self-collection kits were offered to eligible women at family medicine clinics and community centres, and participants were surveyed to determine their acceptance of the HPV self-collection kit. Paired proportions testing for before-after studies was used to determine differences in screening rates from baseline, and Chi Square analysis of three dimensional 2 × 2 × 2 tables compared the change between communities.ResultsCervical cancer screening increased by 15.2 % (p < 0.001) to 67.4 % in the community where self-collection was available, versus a 2.9 % increase (p = 0.07) in the community that received educational campaigns and 8.5 % in the community with no intervention (p = 0.193). The difference in change in rates was statistically significant between communities A and B (p < 0.001) but not between communities A and C (p = 0.193). The response rate was low, with only 9.5 % (168/1760) of eligible women opting to self-collect for HPV testing. Of the women who completed self-collection, 15.5 % (26) had not had a Pap smear in the last 3 years, and 88.7 % reported that they were somewhat or very satisfied with self-collection.ConclusionsOffering self-collected HPV testing increased the cervical cancer screening rate in a rural NL community. Women who completed self-collection had generally positive feelings about the experience. Offering HPV self-collection may increase screening compliance, particularly among women who do not present for routine Pap smears.

Lynch syndrome (LS) is a genetic condition conferring an elevated risk of gastrointestinal, gynecologic and other malignancies, often before the age of 50. Current guidelines recommend prophylactic gynecologic surgery to manage inherited cancers for female mutation carriers. Data is lacking on women's quality of life following surgery. In this pilot study, we explored how women described their quality of life post-prophylactic gynecologic surgery and the factors that affected post-surgery experiences. A qualitative interview study was the chosen design. Ten female Lynch syndrome mutation carriers were interviewed by phone. Interviews were transcribed and analysed for themes relating to quality of life post-surgery using content analysis and constant comparison. Women largely reported doing well since their surgeries, though all described deleterious impacts on quality of life. Positive impacts of surgery included a reduction in cancer worry and an increase in healthy lifestyle behaviors, while negative impacts due to the sudden onset of menopause and impact on sexual function were common. Pre-surgical knowledge, drug and topical therapies, and post-surgical support all contributed to a positive quality of life. This small pilot study revealed increased endocrine symptoms and a negative impact on sexual health following prophylactic gynecological surgery. Women who were informed of potential symptoms pre-surgery coped better with surgical outcomes, as did women using some form of HRT. All women experienced reduced cancer worry post-surgery. Findings highlight areas for discussion in pre-operative settings (e.g., sexual health), as well as the need for better follow-up support post-surgery.