![\"Gynaecological](\"https:\/\/www.myhealthspecialist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/shutterstock_441051208.jpg\")
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Most <\/span>gynaecological<\/span> cancers are curable if caught early. <\/span>Sadly, in <\/span>some<\/span> cases, the diagnosis is delayed<\/span>. <\/span>Sometimes this is due<\/span> to patients not wanting to trouble their doctor with symptoms <\/span>that <\/span>they think are <\/span>un<\/span>important<\/span>,<\/span> or <\/span>that <\/span>they might be embarrassed about. <\/span>Going for cervical smears<\/span> regularly<\/span>, watching your weight and <\/span>t<\/span>elling your doctor about ce<\/span>rtain symptoms are<\/span> the best way<\/span>s<\/span> of avoiding a <\/span>delayed<\/span> diagnosis.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Cervical cancer<\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The best way to avoid cervical cancer is to go for your cervical smears whenever asked to do so. Women aged between 24 and 50 years are invited for smears every three years, and those aged 50-64 years are invited every five years. Even if you go for smears regularly, it\u2019s important not to ignore symptoms. Abnormal bleeding (<\/span>i.e.<\/span> bleeding between periods, after sex, or after the menopause), or an abnormal discharge are usually due to benign and easily-treatable causes, such as infections. Occasionally, they may be due to cervical cancer. The first step in checking for the cause of your symptoms is a vaginal speculum examination of the type used when a smear is taken. Remember that even if you are young enough to have received the \u2018HPV\u2019 vaccine at school, this does not prevent all cervical cancers, or other types of infection, so you should not ignore symptoms.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Who\u2019s at risk?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Risk factors for cervical cancer include:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Ovarian <\/span>c<\/span>ancer<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Ovarian cancer is relatively rare, but its symptoms are common, so it\u2019s not surprising that patients and their families frequently complain of long delays in diagnosis. The key is persistence\/worsening of symptoms in the tummy. If you suffer from the following on most days for at least three weeks, see your GP to discuss these symptoms and to rule out ovarian cancer: <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Your GP may do a blood test for you called \u2018CA125\u2019, but a normal CA125 result does not rule out ovarian cancer, so if your symptoms still persist, your GP can arrange an ultrasound scan of your abdomen and pelvis to investigate this further. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Who\u2019s at risk?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Ovarian cancer is rare, but more common in the following groups:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Womb <\/span>cancer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n This type of cancer is increasing in the UK, mainly because many cases are due to being overweight, and more women in the UK are getting more overweight every year. Bleeding after the menopause (i.e. more than one year after your last period) is abnormal and must be investigated by your doctor as it could be a sign of cancer of the womb. Womb cancer before the menopause can easily be overlooked. In women over 40 years old, it can cause persistent bleeding between periods. If this happens to you, don\u2019t assume it is normal and due to approaching menopause. Talk to your GP and ask them if they think your bleeding pattern is concerning or not. It is normal to get longer-lasting, less-frequent bleeds coming up to the menopause, but persistent bleeding between periods should be investigated.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Due to changes in the womb-lining thickness, which occur normally as part of the menstrual cycle, ultrasound scans are not able to rule out womb cancer in women who have yet to go through the menopause. Therefore, in women over 40 years old or in younger women with risk factors (see below), a sample of the womb lining should be obtained if there is concern about the bleeding pattern. This is usually done as a simple out-patient procedure by a gynaecologist. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Who\u2019s at risk?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Risk factors for womb cancer include:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Vulval cancer<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Ha<\/span>ving itchy skin in the vulva<\/span> (the <\/span>area<\/span> surrounding the opening of the vagina) is a relatively common problem and can be due to \u2018thrush\u2019 (an <\/span>easily-treated<\/span> non-sexually transmitted <\/span>yeast <\/span>infection). However, rarely the itch may be due to skin cancer or pre-cancer in the area. If you have persistent itching or if you notice any changes in the appearances of your <\/span>vulval <\/span>skin, especial<\/span>ly <\/span>colour<\/span> changes, lumps, <\/span>bumps<\/span> or<\/span> ulcers (\u2018punched out\u2019 holes in the skin), then insist your doctor examines you. <\/span>Do not feel embarrassed about going to your doctor with this problem; remember it\u2019s the<\/span>ir job to examine patients with symptoms like these <\/span>and they would far rather be <\/span>a<\/span>ble to reassure you that everything looks OK than miss a serious diagnosis.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Who\u2019s at risk?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Risk factors for vulval cancer include:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n Remember\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n N<\/span>one of the <\/span>gynaecological<\/span> cancers are common. Most of the symptoms described above are usually due to much less serious conditions, but you should never ignore persistent symptoms as occasionally<\/span> they <\/span>could be <\/span>due to cancer. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n References<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. myHealthSpecialist makes no representations as t<\/span>o the accuracy or completeness of any of the information in this article, or found by following any link from this article<\/span>. Please consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for medical advice.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
\n![\"Mr](\"https:\/\/www.myhealthspecialist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/mr_adam_rosenthal.png\")
\nMr Adam Rosenthal, Consultant Gynaecologist<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"