University Hospital 4502 Medical Dr. San Antonio, TX 78229(210)358-4000

SouthMedical Arts & Research Center (MARC)8300 Floyd Curl Drive, 2nd floorSan Antonio, TX 78229(210)644-9300

DowntownRobert B. Green903 W. Martin St. San Antonio, Texas 78207(210)358-3400

SouthwestFamily Health Center2121 S.W. 36th St. at HWY 90San Antonio, TX 78237(210)358-5100

Old Hwy 90 Clinic911 Old Hwy 90 W. San Antonio, TX 78237(210)358-8255

Salinas630 S. General McMullenSan Antonio, Texas 78237(210) 358-8255

Zarzamora4503 S. Zarzamora St.San Antonio, Texas 78211 (210) 358-8255

NorthFamily Health Center302 W. Rector St.San Antonio, Texas 78216(210) 358-0800

Kenwood302 Dora St.San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 358-8255

Naco Perrin4020 Naco Perrin Blvd.San Antonio, Texas 78217(210) 358-8255

Eastside210 N. Rio Grande St.San Antonio, Texas 78202 (210) 358-8255

SoutheastFamily Health Center 1055 Ada St.San Antonio, Texas 78223 (210) 358-5515

South Flores7902 S. Flores St.San Antonio, Texas 78221(210) 358-8255

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Women’s Health Frequently asked questions

University Health System .

Living Proof for Bexar County and Beyond

About UHS University Health System (UHS) is a non-profit organization and is the 4th largest public health system in Texas with clinics scattered through-out San Antonio. University Hospital is a tier 1 emergency hospital that serves 22 counties U.S. News & World Report has named University Hospital as one of America’s Best Hospitals.

UHS is the first and only health system in SanAntonio and South Texas to earn Magnet statusfrom American Nurses Credentialing Center.

UHS is the only non-military health system in San Antonio approved by the National Centering Healthcare Institute to provide CenteringPregnancy.

UHS is named one of the Top 25 Most Connected Healthcare Facilities in the nation, with integrated new technologies to improve quality and efficiencythroughout their organization.

High-tech hospitals deploy health information technology to improve care, protect patient data, optimize flow and improve staff communication.

Commission of Cancer Accreditation assures patients that their hospital provides access toa range of services needed to diagnose, treat,rehabilitate and support patients with cancer.

What are ovarian cysts? Ovarian cysts form on the ovaries and are sac like pouches filled with either tissue or fluid. Ovarian cysts vary in size, number and can either be benign (non-cancer- ous) or malignant (cancer- ous). Some cysts are harmless and may go away on it’s own and others may be harmful, requiring treatment.

Who normally gets ovarian cysts? • Women during their childbearing years • Women past menopause (ages 50-70) have a higher risk of ovarian cancer

How can you diagnose ovarian cysts? During a routine pelvic exam, if an enlarged ovary is found, further tests may be recommended: • Vaginal ultrasound – pictures will be taken of internal organs, locating the cyst and its physical characteristics • Laparoscopy – a surgery procedure to remove the cyst • Blood tests –Women past menopause, may be given a test checking for CA-125 in the blood. CA-125 tests are given to women who: • Are older than 35 • At high risk for ovarian cancer • Have a cyst partially solid

What are treatments options for ovarian cysts? If the cyst does not go away on its own, the doctor may recommend: • Birth control pills- to prevent new cysts from forming • Surgery- depending on the cyst size, type, patients age, symptoms and desire to have children

What is cervical cancer?Cervical cancer, a cancer that is usually slow-growing and may not have symptoms, forms in tissues of the cervix- the organ connecting the uterus and vagina. Cervical cancer can be found with regular Pap tests. Here are the estimated new cases and deaths from uterine and cervical cancer combined in the United States for 2014: • New cases: 12,360 • Deaths: 4,020

What causes cervical cancer?Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Cervical cells slowly change and cells infected with HPV can take many years to develop into cervical cancer.

How to prevent cervical cancer?If a woman has abnormal cervical screening test results, it does not mean she has cervical cancer. It means that cervical cells infected with HPV were either found or the cervical cells had changed.Early cell changes can be monitored and they often go away on their own.

Early treatment is a way to prevent problems later. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the necessary steps for receiving follow-up visits, tests, or treatments in order for you to stay healthy. An HPV vaccination and regular screening can prevent cervical cancer.

What is uterine and endometrial cancer?There are different types of uterine cancer. Endometrial cancer (adenocarcinoma) starts in the uterus and affects the lining of the uterus called the endometrium. Another type of uterine cancer, sarcomas, form from muscle or other tissue.

The later is a rare type of uterine cancer, it is more aggressive and the symptoms differ from endo-metrial cancer. These FAQs will be focusing on endometrial cancer.

In the United States, 2 to 3 women out of every 100 women will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Most will be over 55-years-old.

What can cause endometrial cancer?Certain factors can increase a woman’s risk of uterine cancer:

Obesity, irregular menstrual periods, never having a baby, infertility, starting menstrual periods at an early age (before the age of 12), late menopause, history of ovarian or colon cancer, use of tamoxi-fen to treat or prevent breast cancer, family histo-ry of endometrial cancer, history of hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, gallbladder disease, long-term use of estrogen without progesterone to treat menopause, the use of estrogen (hormone therapy), long-term use of high-dose birth control pills and/or cigarette smoking.

How to detect endometrial cancer?Some women have no symptoms but most have early symptoms that may be constant or come and go. There are several methods to detectthe presence of endometrial cancer, and it can only be diagnosed by examining tissue of the uterus. • Endometrial biopsy • Vaginal ultrasound • Hysteroscopy • Dilation and curettage (D&C)