Prevention and early detection - Menorrhagia (heavier periods than usual) What can I do? Finding gynaecological cancer early can mean • Bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse • Women aged 25-74 years of age can participate in the cancer is small, less likely to have spread to Gynaecological -this is abnormal at any age and should be checked 5 yearly screening to protect against other parts of the body and there may be more cervical cancer. treatment choices. straight away Of the gynaecological cancers, only cervical cancer • Abnormal vaginal discharge • Support HPV vaccination for high school aged girls cancers. and boys, encourage them to get all of the doses has a screening test (a test for women with NO • Lower abdominal (tummy) swelling and/or of the HPV vaccine. symptoms of cervical cancer). Cervical screening discomfort looks for HPV infection in the cells from the cervix. - discomfort or pressure in the lower tummy • Women who have been vaccinated against HPV If HPV is found the same sample is re-tested to look still need regular cervical screening. for any changes in the cells of the cervix. Cervical - swelling or bloating • Be aware of what feels ‘right’ for your body, discuss cancer is rare. It usually takes 10 to 15 years for - feeling of fullness even after a light meal changes in cells caused by this virus to turn into changes with your doctor or health worker. cervical cancer. If you are a woman aged 25-74 • Pain • Talk to your doctor or health worker about any years, and have ever been sexually active you - difficult or painful to pee family or personal history of cancer. should have a Cervical Screening Test every five • Maintain a healthy lifestyle. years. - pain during sexual intercourse • Changes in bowel or bladder function • Quit smoking. Girls and boys in year 8 can be vaccinated against HPV as part of the school-based immunisation - hard poo program. The HPV vaccine protects against certain - runny poo types of HPV, which can lead to a number of Further information: - urge to pee more often cancers in women and men in the genital and anal WA Cervical Cancer Prevention Program Women’s area as well as . The vaccine • Severe itchiness of the vulva T: 13 15 56 cancers doesn’t protect against all types of HPV that can health.wa.gov.au/cervical cause cervical cancer, which is why it is important • Any changes to the vulva or , including that women still have regular cervical screening - blood, pus or other vaginal discharge Cancer Australia even if they have had the HPV vaccine. - itching, burning or soreness T: 1800 624 973 canceraustralia.gov.au Symptoms of gynaecological cancers - a new or changing lump, sore or swelling If you have any symptoms for more than three to Gynaecological Awareness Information Network (GAIN) - a mole on the vulva that changed shape or colour. T: 08 9340 1670 four weeks and they are unusual for you, see your gain.org.au doctor or health worker. Remember, that most women with these symptoms Abnormal will not have cancer, but should see their doctor or HPV Vaccine - for post-menopausal women: health worker. hpvvaccine.org.au - any vaginal bleeding or spotting - for women who still have their period, including women who are peri-menopausal (transition into menopause): For support and information on cancer and cancer-related - bleeding or spotting not linked with issues, speak to a Cancer Council nurse on 13 11 20 your period or visit cancerwa.asn.au. - Polymenorrhoea (periods more often Calls are confdential and available statewide Monday to Friday during business hours. than usual) 13 11 20 Cancer Council 05/2018 Gynaecological Cancers Family history of cancer The benefits of HRT and/or tamoxifen must be Female reproductive system A family history of cervical, vaginal or vulval cancer considered and women should discuss their own Gynaecological cancers are cancers of the female Internal organs does not increase your risk of developing these risk and needs with their doctor. reproductive system and include cervical, ovarian, cancers. Having a close relative who has had cancer uterine (womb), vaginal and vulval cancers. Women who have used the oral contraceptive pill of the breast, bowel or may increase your risk may have a slightly increased risk of cervical cancer, Cervical cancer of . Most women who develop ovarian but a decreased risk of ovarian and . cancer do not have a family history of the disease. The cervix is the opening of the uterus (womb), and Ovary Women whose mothers were given the hormone Uterus Women with Lynch syndrome have a higher risk of is at the top of the vagina. Nearly all cervical cancers diethylstilboestrol (DES) while pregnant with developing ovarian and uterine cancer. If you are are caused by long-term infection by the human Cervix them may be at increased risk of cervical and worried about your family history, talk to your doctor papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can cause cervical cell vaginal cancer. Between 1940 and the 1970s DES Vagina or health worker. changes, producing the abnormal cells that may turn Vulva was given to some pregnant women to prevent into cancer. (external miscarriage. External organs genitals) Personal history of cancer Regular cervical screening can find HPV and any cell A woman who has had any previous cancer diagnosis changes it may cause. If cell changes are found they Mons pubis may have an increased risk of developing any type of Lifestyle factors can be watched and if needed treated, before they cancer in the future. • Smoking: along with many other cancers, Clitoris smoking increases the risk of cervical, vulval and have a chance to become cancer. This makes cervical Urethra cancer very preventable. Human papillomavirus possibly ovarian cancer. Outer lips (labia majora) Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection. • Poor diet: a diet low in fruit, vegetables and Opening of vagina There are more than 100 different types of HPV. Some Ovarian cancer grains, and high in saturated fat may increase Women usually have two , which are located Inner lips (labia minora) types of HPV cause common on the hands and Bartholin’s gland ovarian cancer risk. on either side of the uterus (womb). Ovarian cancer feet. About 40 types of HPV are known as genital HPV Perineum as they affect the anal and genital area. Genital HPV • Being overweight or obese: excess fatty is the result of abnormal cell growth of one or both Anus ovaries, usually starting in the outer covering of is spread by intimate skin to skin contact, including tissue turns certain hormones into a form of oestrogen and women with high levels an ovary. (Illustration Luisa Chisari, sexual intercourse, and commonly occurs in the early courtesy Cancer Council Victoria) years of sexual activity or with a new sexual partner. of oestrogen are twice as likely to develop Vulval cancer Both men and women can get HPV. Most women and uterine cancer. The vulva is the external part of a woman’s sex organs, men will have at least one type of genital HPV in • Type II diabetes: may increase the risk of and includes the labia majora (outer lips), the labia There are two main types: their lifetime. • is cancer of the lining of the endometrial cancer as a result of changed minora (smaller inner lips) and the clitoris. Cancer of HPV is a key risk factor in the development of cervical the vulva can start in any part of these tissues. uterus and is the most common type of uterine hormone levels. In women with diabetes, cancer cancer and causes some vaginal and vulval cancers. vulval itch and ulcers may go unnoticed (due Vaginal cancer Most women who have a HPV infection will never to less sensitivity of peripheral nerves), which The vagina is a muscular tube from the cervix to the • forms in muscle or other tissues develop these cancers. In most cases HPV is naturally increases the risk of vulval cancer going vulva. There are two types: of the uterus. cleared by the body in one to two years. undetected if it does develop. • : the most common type Risk factors for gynaecological cancers Reproductive and hormonal factors • Not enough physical activity: regular activity that begins in the cells covering the vagina The exact cause of most gynaecological cancer is not Reproductive and hormonal factors that have been may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. • : begins in the gland cells that known. Some factors that have a role in the growth shown to increase the risk of ovarian and uterine • Sexual history: Women and men who have line the vagina. of these cancers are known. Having one or more of cancer include: many sexual partners are at increased risk these risk factors does not mean you will develop a • having few or no pregnancies of HPV infection. Uterine cancer gynaecological cancer. Uterine cancer is cancer of the uterus (womb), and is • young age at first period and/or late menopause. the most common gynaecological cancer. Age Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and tamoxifen The uterus is hollow and holds a developing baby Gynaecological cancers are more common in post- (a drug that may be used to treat breast cancer) during pregnancy. The uterus sits low in the pelvis menopausal women over the age of 50, but they can have both been linked with an increased risk of between the bladder and rectum. occur in younger women. uterine cancer.