Embarrassing symptoms could be warning signs of gynecological cancer, study says

Women ignoring seemingly embarrassing problems could actually be experiencing symptoms of gynaecological cancers, researchers have warned. A recent survey by The Eve Appeal, a charity organisation, shows that one in five women believe that five cancers – womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancers – are connected to sexual promiscuity.

The study also revealed that 40 per cent of women felt that there was a greater stigma around gynaecological cancers than other forms of the disease. Researchers also added that this stigma was actually putting women off talking to their doctor about symptoms of the diseases, according to the Daily Mail.

Following are the signs and symptoms of five gynaecological cancers that are usually ignored:

1) Womb cancer – a) Vaginal bleeding after menopause

b) Vaginal bleeding between periods

2) Ovarian cancer – a) persistent pelvic and abdominal pain

b) persistent bloating

c) difficulty eating and feeling full quickly

d) urinary symptoms – a need to go to the bathroom more often

3) Cervical cancer – a) any unusual bleeding from the vagina, particularly after the

menopause when your periods have stopped

b) persistent vaginal discharge that is blood-stained or smells

unpleasant

4) Vulval cancer – a) a lasting itch pain or soreness

b) thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the

vulva

c) an open sore or growth on the skin

d) burning pain when passing urine

e) vaginal discharge or bleeding

f) a mole on the vulva that changes shape or colour, a lump or

swelling in the vulva

5) Vaginal cancer – a) bleeding when you are not having a period or bleeding after the

menopause – this is the most common sign

b) you may have bleeding after sex

c) vaginal discharge that smells or is blood stained – around three

in 10 women have this symptom

d) pain during sex

e) a lump or growth in the vagina that you or your doctor can feel

f) a vaginal itch that won’t go away