News

• 20th March 2020  |  Posted by Beki McGee

  Coronavirus: Patient information

  We are aware that guidelines regarding coronavirus is changing daily and as a consequence, our advice to patients will continually reflect these changes.

  Following government advice, it has been decide to stop all non-urgent appointments at The Portland Hospital as of the evening of Friday 20th March.

  If you wish to book an appointment, we are offering consultations over the telephone where practicable.

  If you have an existing appointment, our admin team will be in touch shortly to rearrange.

• 18th February 2020  |  Posted by Beki McGee

  Cycling, UTIs and the Vulva

  As a keen cyclist and overall sports enthusiast who has participated in many long distance events, it was no surprise Consultant Gynaecologist Mrs Pradnya Pisal was called upon my City Women & Co to answer your questions and provide key insight into all things cycling, UTI’s and the vulva.

   

  You can read the full blog featured in City Women & Co here

  Make an appointment

  If you would like to book a consultation with Mrs Pradnya Pisal, or any other member of the London Gynaecology team, please call 0207 10 11 700 or email [email protected]

  Read Mrs Pradnya Pisal’s latest patient reviews

   

• 4th February 2020  |  Posted by Beki McGee

  Gynaecological Cancers: What you need to know

  As today marks World Cancer Day, Consultant Gynaecologist and Gynaecological Oncologist Mr Saurabh Phadnis discusses the different types of gynaecological cancers, from how to recognise the early signs and symptoms to who is most at risk and how common they are amongst women.

  What are the different types of gynaecological cancers? – How common are they?

  Gynaecological organs include womb, cervix, fallopian tube/ovary, vagina and vulva. Cancer can arise from any of these organs.

  Cancer of womb is the most common with 9,300 new cases every year, ovarian or fallopian tubal cancer 7,500 cases, cervix cancer 3,000 new cases. Whereas vulval and vaginal cancers are rare with 1,300 and 250 new cases every year respectively.

  What are the early signs and symptoms?

  The red flag symptoms of gynaecological cancers are:

  • Unusual vaginal bleeding (bleeding after menopause, bleeding in between periods, bleeding after sexual intercourse
  • Unusual vaginal discharge
  • Abdominal bloating, pain, change in bowel or urinary habits
  • Unusual swelling or ulcer on the vulva
  • Weight loss or loss of appetite

  Who is most at risk of developing a gynaecological cancer?

  Some gynaecological cancers may be hereditary i.e. linked to faulty genes. Genetic testing is available to determine an individual’s risk.

  • A faulty gene linked with Lynch Syndrome is associated with a lifetime risk of about 40-60% for developing womb cancer.
  • Some other risk factors for womb cancer include obesity, diabetes, use of estrogen alone as hormone replacement and medication such as tamoxifen used in maintenance treatment of breast cancer.
  • 10-15% of ovarian cancers are related to faulty genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
  • Presence of HPV infection is associated with cancer of cervix and vagina and may be associated with some cancers arising from the vulva.

  I have some of the above symptoms and I’m worried. What should I do?

  If you have symptoms, you should seek appropriate medical advice. Either visit your GP or you can make an appointment at London Gynaecology.

  What is the survival rate?

  Survival rate depend on the stage of cancer. For example, stage 1 cancer of uterus has the best survival rate of 99% at 5 years whereas stage 3 and 4 ovarian cancer 40% at 5 years.

  What can I expect from a consultation?

  A consultation will include history taking, examination and relevant investigation such as ultrasound scan of pelvis. Occasionally further investigations such as examination under anaesthesia are necessary for diagnosis or planning treatment.

  Make an appointment:

  If you have any concerns and would like to book a consultation with Mr Saurabh Phadnis or any other member of the London Gynaecology team, please call 0207 10 11 700 or email [email protected]

  To learn more about Mr Saurabh Phadnis, visit his profile here

  View Mr Saurabh Phadnis’s latest patient reviews

   

   

   

• 24th January 2020  |  Posted by Beki McGee

  Understanding the new screening programme and what this means for you

  Consultant Gynaecologist & Gynaecological Oncologist Mr Saurabh Phadnis at London Gynaecology helps to clarify the changes and addresses concerns surrounding cervical screening. Mr Phadnis answers a range of questions from what these changes mean for women, to revealing what the possible outcomes are following a screening, plus what it means to be HPV positive and what happens next if abnormal cells are found…

  What changes have been made and when did this occur?  

   From April 2019, Primary HPV (Human Papillomavirus) screening was implemented in UK. This is new way of examining cervical smears, where the sample is checked for abnormal cells only if HPV is detected.

  Why was this introduced?

  Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV infection. Screening for HPV is a better method for identifying those at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Also this reduces the need for further test such as colposcopy.

   What does this mean for women?

  The actual test remains unchanged. Women still have a cervical smear. The benefit would be reduction in the number of women having unnecessary colposcopy examination.

  Which means if high risk HPV is absent then chances of developing cervical cancer is extremely low. When you compare the pre-primary HPV screening era, many women were referred to colposcopy when the smear had borderline or low grade changes.

  These will not be referred now on the basis of HPV negative smear and therefore reduction in colposcopy referral eventually. 

  What happens during a cervical screening? How long does this take?

  A cervical smear test involves vaginal examination to obtain cells from the cervix using a soft brush. It usually should not take more than 2-3 minutes.

  What are the possible outcomes following a screening? What happens next?

  If the screening smear is HPV negative, then the cervical smear is not checked for abnormal cells as the likelihood of one developing cancer is extremely low and recommendation is to repeat the cervical smear in 3 years.

  If the screening smear is HPV positive, then the cervical smear is checked for abnormal smear. If no abnormal cells are found, recommendation is to repeat smear in 12 months. If abnormal cells are found then a special test called colposcopy is recommended. Colposcopy is simply examination of the cervix in detail using a telescope and special stains. It identifies if there is a precancerous area on the cervix. A biopsy from this area may be required for diagnosis.

  Following a screening I’m HPV positive. Should I be worried and what should I do?

  HPV infection is very common and does not need treatment. Most HPV infections are cleared by one’s immunity in approximately 2 years. HPV infection can cause genital warts, which may need treatment or abnormal cells from the cervix, which may need further investigation like colposcopy.

  Make an appointment:

  If you have any concerns and would like to book a consultation with Mr Saurabh Phadnis, please call our team on 0207 10 11 700 or email [email protected]

  To learn more about Mr Saurabh Phadnis, visit his team profile here

  View Mr Saurabh Phadnis’s latest patient reviews

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• 14th January 2020  |  Posted by Beki McGee

  Chia Seeds: Laura Southern reveals everything you need to know

  Nutritional Therapist Laura Southern at London Gynaecology reveals everything you need to know about Chia seeds and why you should be sprinkling them onto your food.  Laura reveals their health benefits, from how they can help if you’re prone to constipation and irregular bowels to hormone issues.

  You can read the full article in Women’s Health here.