'Any spotting?' the doctor asks -- and uterine cancer is diagnosed

ROUTINE best describes this year's visit to my gynecologist. I had no medical complaints; I was just working through my to-do list. After a physical exam and a brief conversation about life and the latest research, my doctor of 15 years said everything looked good. My Pap smear would later prove normal.

By Carol Perruso

June 23, 2008