Gynaecological Cancers are cancers that start in any part of a woman’s reproductive organs.
- 21,000 women are diagnosed with a form of Gynaecological cancer every year in the UK.
- On average 24 women are diagnosed each year in Guernsey & Alderney.
- On average 9 deaths are recorded each year in Guernsey & Alderney.
- There are 5 gynaecological cancers.
How to reduce the risk of developing gynaecological cancer:
- Stop smoking. Women who smoke are about twice as likely as non-smokers to get cervical cancer.
- Eat a healthy diet containing whole grains like wholegrain bread and cereals, beans, pulses, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Be physically active as part of your everday life.
- Go for regular screening.
- Attend when invited for HPV vaccination.
Changes to look out for include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
- General abdominal pain.
- Pain during sexual Intercourse.
- Itchy skin around the opening to the vagina.
- Difficulty passing urine.
- Increased abdominal size/persistent bloating.
- Pelvic and/or abdominal pain.
- Changes in the vulva such as a rash, sores or warts.
"Oh it's probably nothing"
We all often think ‘oh it’s probably nothing ’. Some really interesting and useful videos and podcasts explaining how to know your normal and what to look for can be found here.
To make the best use of your appointment with a health professional, consider using a diary or symptom list, similar to the one here https://www.ovacome.org.uk/symptoms-tracker to help you explain what has been happening and what is not normal for you.
Transgender, non-binary and intersex
There is useful information for transgender, non-binary and intersex communities on https://eveappeal.org.uk/gynaecological-cancers/tnbiinfo/
