Some aspects of accessible cancers. Cervix and Uterus. Part Five.

This film is aimed at professional audiences. Over 7000 women were dying of various gynaecological cancers when the film was made; a woman (possibly dramatised) tells how she ignored the initially painless symptoms. A female doctor carries out a physical examination of the vagina and rectum. Medical illustrations are provided to indicate the relevant anatomy. Once diagnosis is made of cancer of the cervix, uterus surgery and radiotherapy are the usual treatments. A patient is treated in the knee-chest position. Ulceric lesions are shown. Female staff radiograph an anaesthetised patient. A dosimeter is used to measure the dose given to the bladder and the rectum to ensure that these are not damaged by the treatment. There are subsequent procedures carried out. A group of women who return for follow-up treatment many years later, are still alive illustrating the effectiveness of the treatment. In cases of uterine cancers, which typically come when the woman is post-menopausal, a female patient tells a doctor about the symptoms she experienced. Surgical treatment is by removing the uterus; one is bisected. Other examples of normal and abnormal uterine samples are shown. Patients are followed up routinely.