How to spot the 5 different types of gynaecological cancer
Did you know there are five types of gynaecological cancer? And they each have different symptoms? We're ashamed to say we didn't.
Gynaecological cancers can often feel awkward to talk about due to the intimate nature of their symptoms, but with the pandemic meaning that focus on raising awareness around cancers and subsequent treatment for them taking a back seat, it's more important than ever to be aware of your body and speak up.
A new survey, carried out by The Lady Garden Foundation in July 2020, found that of 100 female participants, 58% were either embarrassed – or unaware – of the importance of having an open dialogue with friends and family about gynaecological health.
However, 98% of the women involved – who were aged between 18 and 44 – also said that they would speak up more if they knew it could save lives: either their own or others.
So, we asked an expert from the Lady Garden Foundation – who are on a mission to change the way we talk about gynaecological cancers – to talk us through the differences, symptoms and implications of the five different types of gynaecological cancer.
Cervical Cancer
Around 3,100 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year and it’s the most common cancer in women under 35 years old.
Cervical screening is essential because cervical cancer can be prevented. The NHS cervical screening programme offers testing to women between the ages of 25 and 64. More than four million women are invited for cervical screening each year in England. Around 1 in 100 women screened will have an abnormal result. This does not mean that all women with an abnormal test will develop cervical cancer. Early treatment can prevent these cervical changes developing into cancer.
The most common symptom of cervical cancer is bleeding from the vagina at times other than when you are having a period. This includes between periods, after or during sex, at any time if you are past your menopause. Some women also have:
Vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant
Discomfort or pain during sex
See your GP if you have any of the symptoms listed above, particularly if:
They are not normal for you
They are persistent
There are repeated episodes
They do not go away
Ovarian Cancer
Over 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK each year. This makes ovarian cancer the 5th most common cancer in women, after breast, lung, bowel and womb cancer. More than eight out of 10 ovarian cancers occur in women over the age of 50.
Many women with a very early stage of ovarian cancer often don’t have any symptoms at all. The symptoms may be very vague but can include:
Feeling bloated (having a swollen tummy)
Feeling full quickly and / or loss of appetite
Pain or discomfort in the lower tummy area and / or back
Needing to pass urine more often or more urgently
Changes in bowel habits
Constipation
Weight gain or weight loss
Unexplained or extreme tiredness
See your GP if you have any of the symptoms listed above, particularly if:
They are not normal for you
They are persistent
There are repeated episodes
They do not go away
Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal cancer is rare with just under 260 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year. That is less than one out of every 600 cancers diagnosed in women. It is rare to have symptoms if you have very early stage vaginal cancer or changes in the lining of the vagina called VAIN.
The most common symptoms of vaginal cancer are:
Blood-stained vaginal discharge
Bleeding after sexual intercourse and pain
Problems with passing urine (such as blood in the urine, the need to pass urine frequently and the need to pass urine at night)
Pain in the back passage (rectum)
Vaginal itch that won’t go away
Lump or growth in the vagina that you or your doctor can feel
See your GP if you have any of the symptoms listed above, particularly if:
They are not normal for you
They are persistent
There are repeated episodes
They do not go away
Vulva Cancer
Vulva cancer is a rare cancer. Around 1,200 cases are diagnosed in the UK each year. It is more common in older women and many cases are diagnosed in women aged 65 or over.
Symptoms of vulval cancer can include:
A lasting itch, pain or soreness and thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the vulva.
Open sore or growth visible on the skin
Burning pain when you pass urine
Vaginal discharge or bleeding
A mole on the vulva that changes shape or colour
Lump or swelling in the vulva
See your GP if you have any of the symptoms listed above, particularly if:
They are not normal for you
They are persistent
There are repeated episodes
They do not go away
Womb Cancer:
Womb cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in the UK. About 8,500 women are diagnosed with womb cancer in the UK each year, with around five out of every 100 cancers diagnosed in women being womb cancers. By far the most common type of cancer of the womb is endometrial cancer. Endometrial means that the cancer starts in the lining of the womb.
The most common symptom of womb cancer is:
Abnormal bleeding from the vagina – especially in women who have had their menopause and stopped having periods. About 90 out of 100 cases of womb cancer are picked up because of post-menopausal or irregular vaginal bleeding. Irregular bleeding can be vaginal bleeding after the menopause, bleeding that is unusually heavy or happens between periods or vaginal discharge – from pink and watery to dark and foul smelling.
Less common symptoms can include:
Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
Pain during sex
Your womb is enlarged and feels swollen although this will be something which your doctor will be able to see
Advanced womb cancer can cause more symptoms, especially if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. These are less common and can include:
Loss of appetite and weight
Tiredness or weakness
Feeling or being sick
Constipation
Feeling breathless
Passing urine more often than usual
See your GP if you have any of the symptoms listed above, particularly if:
They are not normal for you
They are persistent
There are repeated episodes
They do not go away
If you experience any of the symptoms above then consult your GP as soon as possible, you can also find extra support online at ladygardenfoundation.com.
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