Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month. 

Gynaecological caner refers to different cancers that affect the female reproductive system. These include:

• Womb
• Ovarian
• Cervical
• Vaginal
• Vulval

Symptoms of gynaecological cancer vary depending on the type of cancer:

Womb Cancer

Usually the first sign of womb cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding. For example:

• Bleeding after the menopause 
• Bleeding between periods
• Heavier period than usual
• a bloody or pink and water vaginal discharge

Less common womb cancer symptoms are pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, or pain during sexual intercourse.

If you have any unusual vaginal bleeding you should always consult your GP. There are other conditions that affect the womb, such as fibroids, that can also cause unusual vaginal bleeding.

Ovarian and fallopian tube cancer

The symptoms of ovarian cancer and fallopian tube cancer are similar to other much more common non-cancerous conditions. This can make early diagnosis difficult.

Symptoms can include:

• a persistant or long-lasting swollen tummy
• pain in the back or pelvic area
• urinating more frequently or feeling an urgency to urinate
• loss of appetite or feeling full quickly when you are eating 

Cervical Cancer

Very early-stage cervical cancer may not cause symptoms. It is usually found and treated because of cervical screening (smear) tests.

Common symptoms of cervical cancer include:

• Heavier periods than usual
• vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause

If you have any of these symptoms and are not yet due your next smear test, please don't wait for it. Contact the surgery to get your symptoms checked.

Vaginal Cancer

The most common symptoms of vaginal cancer are:

• Bleeding after menopause, between periods, or after sex
• Blood-stained vaginal discharge
• Pain when passing urine, needing to pass urine often or blood in your urine
• Pain in the pelvic area
• Constipation
• Feeling that you need to open your bowels (poo), even though you have just been
• Swelling in your legs

These symptoms can be caused by many other conditions. But if you notice them, please book an appointment with a clinician.

Vulval Cancer

Symptoms of vulval cancer can include:

• A lump, swelling or wart-like growth on the vulva
• Itching, buring or soreness of the vulva that does no go away
• Burning when passing urine
• Bleeding, or blood-stained vaginal discharge that is not related to periods.

If you are concerned that you have any of the symptoms of these cancers, please don't hesitate to contact the surgery. More often than not they will be caused by another condition but if it is cancer then an early diagnosis gives the best chance of recovery.