Adeola Olaitan is a consultant gynaecological oncologistA specialist in the treatment of cancer.. She specialises in the diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. and treatment of all types of gynaecological cancers including ovarianrelating to the ovaries cancer, uterine cancer, endometrialRelating to the endometrium. cancer and cervicalRelating either to the cervix (the neck of the womb) or to the cervical vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). cancer, using minimally invasive (laparoscopicA keyhole surgical procedure. surgery) where appropriate.
She is accredited in colposcopyClose examination of the cervix of the uterus using a magnifying instrument with attached light source, known as a colposcope. of the cervixAny neck-like structure; most commonly refers to the neck of the uterus. for patients with abnormal smear results and treatment can be performed in the outpatient clinic. She also sees patients with general gynaecological problems such as heavy bleeding (menorrhagiaHeavy or prolonged menstrual periods.), irregular periods or pelvicRelating to the pelvis. pain and is a specialist in minimally invasive surgeryA type of surgery that aims to limit the amount of trauma to the patient; for example, keyhole surgery. Abbreviated to MIS. to treat polypsGrowths on the surface of a mucous membrane (a surface that secretes mucous), lining any body cavity that opens to the outside of the body., ovarian cysts and other benignNot dangerous, usually applied to a tumour that is not malignant. gynaecological problems.
She also sees patients in her private practice for routine gynaecological checks such as smear tests, chlamydiaA bacterial infection that can cause eye disease and sexually transmitted infections. testing, Mirena coil insertion (under sedation if necessary) HPVAn abbreviation for human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and may also have a role in the development of various cancers. (High Risk Human Papilloma Virus) testing and HPV vaccinationThe means of producing immunity by stimulating the formation of antibodies..
Adeola Olaitan was appointed Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at University College Hospital London in 2002 and is currently clinical lead of the Gynaecological Cancer Centre at UCLH. She sees patients in private practice at The Harley Street Clinic and The Portland Hospital as a gynaecological oncologist and as a general gynaecologist.
Qualified at University College Hospital London (1987), followed, after general obstetrics and gynaecology training by a subspecialty Fellowship in Gynaecological Oncology at St Michael’s Hospital Bristol. Presently an Honorary Senior Lecturer, with over 20 peer reviewed publications and book chapters. A member of the British Gynaecological Cancer Society, the British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the International Gynaecological Cancer Society.
Articles:
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The Human Papilloma Virus vaccinationThe means of producing immunity by stimulating the formation of antibodies. programme is designed to reduce the risk of cervicalRelating either to the cervix (the neck of the womb) or to the cervical vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. in women. There are two licensed vaccines, Gardasil® and Cervarix®, available to protect against the types of HPVAn abbreviation for human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and may also have a role in the development of various cancers. infectionInvasion by organisms that may be harmful, for example bacteria or parasites. that cause most cervical cancers. In the UK Cervarix® is included in the national vaccination programme for teenage and pre-teenage girls aged 12–13 and 17–18.The safety of HPV vaccines was studied in clinical trials worldwide before the licence was granted.
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Gynaecological cancers are not common, particularly in the UK. If we add all the gynaecological cancers that occur each year together, they account for less than half of the cases of breast cancer. However, women may be concerned about the possibility of gynaecological cancers because, unlike breast cancer, the gynaecological organs are not easily visible. It is therefore important for women to be aware of the various screeningA way to identify people who may have a certain condition, among a group of people who may or may not seem to programmes for gynaecological cancers that exist and to also be aware of the symptoms so that the disease can be detected early where full cure is usually possible.
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Endometrial cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. is cancer of the lining of the wombThe uterus. and it is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK. It is most common in post-menopausalAfter the menopause - technically only once a woman has had no menstrual period for one year. women aged 50 to 60 years, although approximately 7% of cases are in younger women.
Endometrial cancer is much more common among women who live in the developing world, particularly Europe and North America compared with women who live in less developed countries. This is likely to be because endometrialRelating to the endometrium. cancer is linked to obesityExcess accumulation of fat in the body., with obese women three times as likely to get this disease as women who have a body weight in the healthy range. A healthy balanced diet and an active lifestyle can help to reduce the risk of this cancer.
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The Human Papilloma Virus (HPVAn abbreviation for human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and may also have a role in the development of various cancers.) or Wart Virus as it is more commonly known is a family of virusesMicrobes that are only able to multiply within living cells. that can infect humans. The viruses are divided into sub-types according to their characteristics. There are over 100 subtypes of HPV. Most do not cause significant disease in humans. However, some subtypes, notably types 16 and 18, 31 and 33, have been confirmed as agents which cause cervicalRelating either to the cervix (the neck of the womb) or to the cervical vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.. These sub-types, known as 'High risk' HPV (HR HPV), have been found to be present in close to 100% of all cervical cancers. Of the different types of HPV, types 16 and 18 cause about 7 out of 10 (70%) cancers of the cervixAny neck-like structure; most commonly refers to the neck of the uterus.. Most of the remaining 30% of cervical cancers are associated with other HR HPV types.
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Many patients emailed us their questions after reading Adeola Olaitan's article on Cervical Cancer. Here are just a few of them together with Adeola's responses.
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Cervical cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. should be treated in a specialist unit known as a cancer centre. A team of experts, known as a multidisciplinaryRelating to a group of healthcare professionals with different areas of specialisation. team, will be involved in your care. The doctors who look after this disease are gynaecological oncologists (surgeons) or clinical oncologists (radiotherapyThe treatment of disease using radiation. experts). Other members of the team include a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNScentral nervous system or MacMillan Nurse), and a psychologist who are available to support you and look after your social and psychological needs throughout treatment and beyond. Not all hospitals have this expertise available and you may have to be referred from your local hospital to a cancer centre.
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The cervixAny neck-like structure; most commonly refers to the neck of the uterus. is the lower part of the wombThe uterus.. It is sometimes referred to as the neck of the womb. Cervical cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body., is the second most common cancer in women world-wide, second only to breast cancer and in some developing countries, it is the commonest. An estimated half a million women are diagnosed with cervicalRelating either to the cervix (the neck of the womb) or to the cervical vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). cancer each year, approximately 80% of whom are in the developing world. About 300 thousand women die of this condition every year.
Videos:
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Dr Adeola Olaitan, Consultant Gynaecologist, feels strongly that women should take the responsibility for looking after their own bodies seriously by attending for regular smear tests to screen for cervicalRelating either to the cervix (the neck of the womb) or to the cervical vertebrae in the neck (cervical spine). cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body..
To watch the video clip please click here.
