Millions of women at risk of 5 types of cancer as they have no idea they exist or don’t know the symptoms, study warns
MILLIONS of women have no idea there are five gynaecological cancers which could affect them, research warns.
Despite more than 22,000 women being diagnosed every year in the UK – and 21 dying every day – just nine per cent of the 2,000 polled were aware of there being that many.
As many as 93 per cent had heard of ovarian cancer and 95 per cent knew they had to watch out for cervical cancer.
But 64 per cent had never heard of vulval cancer, 48 per cent were clueless they could be subject to cancer of the vagina, and 29 per cent didn’t know it could affect the womb.
And perhaps more worrying, 25 per cent wouldn’t immediately seek help from a medical professional if they had any concerns about their gynaecological health.
A spokesperson for Bodyform, which carried out the study, said: “It is incredible to think that with the number of women being diagnosed every year, knowledge of what to look out for is so incredibly low.
“Every day, 60 women are given the shattering news that they have one of the five types of cancer affecting their gynae organs.
“And yet awareness is low, and little is done outside the medical arena to heighten knowledge among those who need it most.”
The study found 61 per cent of women can’t identify the signs and symptoms of any of the five cancers.
Some 54 per cent admitted they would find it difficult to know when things like discharge, bloating and pelvic pain were anything out of the ordinary.
And 29 per cent assumed they would have all the same symptoms, and 16 per cent totally different.
Of those not wanting to visit a doctor about concerns about their gynaecological health, half don’t want to over-react, while 22 per cent are too embarrassed to talk about it.
Just under a fifth (17 per cent) don’t want to face what might be said, and 15 per cent openly admit they prefer the ‘bury my head in the sand’ approach.
And while 83 per cent of women do check themselves for key indicators of breast cancer, 41 per cent would never consider whether their periods, discharge, tummy discomfort or use of the toilet are normal for them.
Understandably, exactly eight in 10 women feel there needs to be greater awareness among women about the different types of cancers.
Just four per cent remember any sort of reference or education at school – with 45 per cent believing it should be part of studies between the ages of 11 and 15.
Bodyform has teamed up with The Eve Appeal to help educate women and people with gynae organs about the five types of gynaecological cancers, including how to spot the signs – and it will also provide a link to the site on all packaging.
Charity CEO Athena Lamnisos said: “Our mission is to open up conversations about gynaecological health with everyone.
“There’s a woeful lack of knowledge about signs, symptoms and risk factors.
“These may not be cancer, but they we want people to recognise changes that might be and get them checked out.
“They need to know what they are looking for, and when to seek help from a medical professional.
“Women need to feel more comfortable checking themselves, and doing something about if they have any concerns.
“There’s shame, embarrassment and taboo that surrounds gynae health – with Bodyform, we’ve created a powerful partnership to address the information gap.”
The 5 gynaecological cancers and their symptoms
OVARIAN CANCER
Nearly 7,500 people are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year in the UK, making it the sixth most common cancer in women.
It is most frequently diagnosed post-menopause, but it can affect anyone with ovaries at any stage of life.
The five main ovarian cancer symptoms are:
- Increased abdominal size and persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)
- Persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
- Unexplained change in bowel habits
- Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly, or feeling nauseous
- Needing to wee more regularly
Other symptoms, such as back pain, fatigue, weight loss and pain during sex may also be present.
CERVICAL CANCER
Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix, which connects the womb and vagina.
It can affect patients at any age, but the incidence is highest in women aged 30 to 34.
Cervical screening programmes and HPV vaccines have reduced rates and save 4,000 lives each year, but there are still around 3,200 new cases in the UK annually.
The symptoms of cervical cancer aren’t always obvious, and it may not cause any at all until it’s reached an advanced stage.
But you might notice:
- Unusual bleeding, often after sex
- Pain and discomfort during sex
- Unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge
VULVAL CANCER
Vulval cancer is rare, affecting aound 1,350 people a year in the UK – mostly women over the age of 60.
But younger women are being diagnosed, so they should know to look out for:
- A lasting itch on the external genitalia (vulva)
- Pain or soreness on the external genitalia
- Thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the external genitalia
- An open sore or growth visible on the genital skin
- A mole on the external genitalia that changes shape or colour
- A lump or swelling on the external genitalia
VAGINAL CANCER
Cancer of the vagina is even more rare, with 250 diagnoses made annually in the UK.
The most common signs of the condition include:
- Abnormal bleeding, eg. between periods, after menopause
- Discharge with an unpleasant smell or blood stained
- Pain during penetrative sex
- An internal lump or growth that you or your doctor can feel
- An internal itch that won’t go away and pain when urinating
- Persistent pelvic and internal pain
WOMB CANCER
Cancer of the womb is sometimes referred to as uterine cancer (the medical name for the womb is the uterus), or endometrial cancer (which is cancer of the lining of the womb).
Womb cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in the UK and the most common of the five gynaecological cancers, with over 9,700 people diagnosed every year in the UK.
Its incidence in the UK has increased by 12 per cent in the last 10 years.
The most common symptom of womb cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding – especially after the menopause.
This irregular bleeding might be:
- Vaginal bleeding after the menopause
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding that is unusually heavy
- Vaginal discharge that is blood-stained (pink, brown, red)
Source: The Eve Appeal