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This is a follow-up to my December 13, 2019 post commemorating the six-year anniversary of my total robotic hysterectomy for endometrial adenocarcinoma—”the most common uterine malignancy in developed nations,” according to an article in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Because my tumor was type 1 (the endometrioid type), stage 1B (it had penetrated about 60% through the uterine lining, or endometrium), and grade 3 (the cells were almost entirely abnormal and misshapen), I also underwent vaginal radiation, or brachytherapy, following the surgery.

At my annual checkup with my regular gynecologist today, we discussed several things, including the fact that women need more information about uterine cancer because, as with ovarian cancer, no screening tests detect it, and a woman may or may not have any symptoms.

My only symptom was postmenopausal vaginal bleeding, and at the time I had no idea this indicated possible cancer. (See the one-minute video about…

This year, the American Cancer Society estimated that 61,880 new cases of uterine cancer would be diagnosed and that 12,160 women—20 percent—would die from it.

On December 13, 2013 (also a Friday), I underwent a total robotic hysterectomy for uterine cancer—type 1, stage 1B, grade 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma—at which time the estimates were 49,560 and 8,190, respectively. (Endometrial cancer, which arises from the lining of the womb, is the most common type of uterine cancer.)

My next checkup is scheduled for next week, and I am optimistic that all will be well. Although I have had secondary effects from my internal vaginal radiation (brachytherapy), I have had no other problems since that other Friday the 13th, which I now consider a lucky day.

And to commemorate my six-year anniversary, I am inspired to update patient education about this most commonly diagnosed gynecologic cancer, fourth most common cancer, and sixth most…