Experts say only 45% of women consult a doctor if they notice spotting, bleeding or bloody discharge after their periods have stopped.
According to statistics, one in five women with cancer worldwide suffers from gynecological cancer, and 60 of them are diagnosed, which equates to more than 22,000 cases per year. While the increase in cases is evident, experts are concerned that most cases are detected at advanced stages, when they are difficult to treat.
While there are effective screening tests for many types of cancer in women, including colon cancer, cervical cancer and vaginal cancer, doctors say gynecologic cancers can be harder to detect. Unfortunately, there aren’t many tests for most types of gynecologic cancer, and symptoms can be vague.
Therefore, it is essential to know the warning signs and risk factors and to listen to your body when something does not seem right.
Gynecological cancer warning signs that women should know
According to experts, less than half of women react to the warning signs of gynecological cancer. Only 45 percent would see a doctor if they noticed spotting, bleeding or bloody discharge after their periods have stopped, and only 44 percent would do so if they bled between periods, according to the statistics. And some of the other symptoms you should pay attention to right away include:
Ovarian cancer
It occurs in the ovaries, located on either side of the uterus. Doctors say cancer in the fallopian tubes and peritoneum, the lining of the tissue and organs in the abdomen, is also considered ovarian cancer. Some early symptoms of ovarian cancer may be unclear and not specific to ovarian cancer, including:
- Bloating and abdominal distension
- Nausea
- Lack of appetite or feeling of rapid satiety
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits.
- Unexplained weight loss
Currently, experts say there are no proven ways to prevent ovarian cancer and no screening tests, however, some risk factors for this deadly cancer include being over age 60, obesity, having a family history of ovarian cancer or an inherited genetic mutation. BRCA1 either BRCA2 – or suffers from endometriosis.
Uterine cancer
Also known as endometrial or uterine cancer, uterine cancer is a common cancer that affects the female reproductive system. It occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control in the uterus. The signs and symptoms of this cancer may resemble those of many diseases that affect women’s reproductive organs. Some of them include:
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause, even in light amounts
- Severe pain and cramps in the lower abdomen and pelvis.
- Thin, white or clear vaginal discharge
- Extremely prolonged, heavy, or frequent vaginal bleeding if you are over 40 years of age
Doctors say there are several risk factors for uterine cancer, and many of them are related to imbalances in female hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. Other factors include obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, and even Lynch syndrome.
Vulvar cancer
Vulvar cancer is extremely rare and affects the vulva, the outer part of the female genitals. According to doctors, it is usually diagnosed in women between the ages of 65 and 74 and most often affects the labia majora. However, this cancer is now also being diagnosed in younger women, so they should know what to look out for:
- Constant itching of the external genitals.
- Pain or tenderness in the external genitals.
- Thickened, raised, red, white, or dark spots
- An open sore or visible growth on the genital skin.
- A mole on the external genitalia that changes shape or color.
- A lump or swelling on the external genitals.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer develops in the cervix or in the layers of the wall of the cervix. It is caused by a persistent infection with the human papillomavirus or HPV, a sexually transmitted infection. According to experts, the symptoms of this cancer are usually not noticeable in the early stages. Some of them include:
- Unusual bleeding, often after sexual intercourse.
- Pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse
- Vaginal discharge with unpleasant odor
The HPV vaccine, previously offered only to girls, is now available to all adolescents of both sexes and can provide vital defense against eight types of cancer.
Vaginal cancer
Vaginal cancer begins in the vagina, a tube-like structure that connects the outside of the body to the lower part of the uterus. Some symptoms include:
- Abnormal bleeding or discharge
- Blood in stool or urine
- Constipation or abnormal bowel function
- Pain when urinating or having sex
- Pain in the pelvic region
- Going to the bathroom more frequently than usual
- Swelling in the legs
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