Cancer can develop throughout the female reproductive system, as it can elsewhere in the body of both sexes. Any diagnosis of cancer is always frightening but there is considerable support available to women who find themselves in this situation, from health workers, support groups and voluntary organisations. It is vital to remember that cancer is treatable and in many instances can be eliminated entirely.
The following is a list of some cancers which can develop. It is given in order to provide a minimum of information and advice of early warning signs where possible.
Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian cancer is the fourth commonest cause of death from cancer amongst women in the UK.
- It is more common between the ages of 50 and 80, although it can occur younger.
- The long-term use of oral contraceptives reduces the risk by three-quarters.
- The condition can be genetic.
- If caught early, when the cancer is still confined to the ovaries it can be cured with surgical treatment.
Symptoms
Ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms can be vague and subtle and may be mistaken for those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pre-menstrual syndrome. Early symptoms may include pain in the lower abdomen or side and bloated feelings in the stomach. Later there may be abdominal pain, swelling and the presence of a hard lump. There may also be frequent urination, occasional breathlessness, weight loss, constipation and vomiting.
It is important to note that some of these symptoms can also be found as the result of other non-cancerous conditions.
Diagnosis
If ovarian cancer is suspected your GP may do a vaginal and rectal examination to check for lumps. You will then be referred to the hospital for various tests. A full medical history and blood tests will normally be taken.
Treatment
Treatments for ovarian cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and more rarely radiotherapy.
Prevention
There is no general screening procedure as is routinely available for cervical cancer. However, those women with a strong family history of the disease might benefit from screening for the gene associated with increased risk. You should bring such a history to the attention of your doctor.
Uterine/Endometrial
Cancer of the lining of the womb (uterine/endometrial cancer) is not common and usually affects older women between the ages of 50 and 70.
Symptoms
The usual symptoms of endometrial cancer is vaginal bleeding accompanied by a watery discharge which usually becomes heavier with time.
Diagnosis
Cancer of the womb is diagnosed by the taking of a sample of tissue from the womb lining (biopsy) and sending it for analysis.
Treatment
If cancer of the uterus is diagnosed at an early stage, it can often be cured. The womb, fallopian tubes (the tubes leading to the ovaries) and the ovaries are removed. This is usually followed by radiotherapy, to remove any remaining cancer cells. If it is diagnosed at a later stage when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it is harder to cure, but treatment can help slow down the spread of the disease.
Prevention
Endometrial cancer cannot be prevented, although the taking of the oral contraceptive pill appears to have some temporary preventative effect.
Early detection of the problem is important as this provides a better chance of cure. Unlike cervical cancer, there is no regular screening for uterine cancer undertaken in all women, although an abnormal smear test for cervical cancer may provide some indication of a problem. Any signs of vaginal bleeding in the menopause, or a persistent change in periods should be reported to your doctor.
Vaginal Cancer
Vaginal cancer is a very rare disease. More commonly, cancer will begin in another part of the body and spread to the vagina. Vaginal cancer is mostly found in women in their 60s, although, again, it is rare even in this group.
Symptoms
The symptoms of vaginal cancer include abnormal bleeding, particularly after sex, increased or unusual discharge from the vagina and discomfort or pain in the pelvic area.
Diagnosis
A test called a colposcopy is used to detect vaginal cancer. This test is performed using a colposcope, a small medical instrument with a light and a magnifier on one end. A doctor will hold the vagina open and use the colposcope to look inside the vagina and cervix for signs of cancer.
If there is evidence of cancer, the doctor may also use the colposcope to take a small sample of tissue, which is then tested in a laboratory.
Treatment
The most common treatment for vaginal cancer is surgery. Depending on how far advanced the cancer is, part or the entire vagina will be removed during surgery. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy may also be used to kill the cancerous cells.
Prevention
As with most types of cancer, early detection and treatment offers the best chances of recovery which is why regular cervical smear tests are so important.
Vulvar Cancer
Vulvar cancer is a very rare disease. More commonly, cancer will begin in another part of the body and spread to the vulva. Cancer may occur in any part of the vulva. The most common sites are the edges of the inner and outer lips. Vulvar cancer does not develop quickly. The exact cause of vulvar cancer is unknown, but doctors think it is linked to the human papilloma virus (HPV) which is spread during unprotected sex.
Symptoms
The symptoms of vulvar cancer may include the following:
- a lasting itch
- pain or soreness
- thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the vulva
- an open sore or growth visible on the skin
- burning pain when you pass urine
- vaginal discharge or bleeding
- a mole on the vulva that changes shape or colour
- A lump or swelling in the vulva
These can also be symptoms of less serious conditions such as thrush. However if you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor.
Treatment
Treatment of vulvar cancer depends on a number of factors. The size of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body are considered, along with your general health. Your doctor should tell you about the risks, benefits and side effects of the treatments being offered, and how they may affect your life afterwards. The treatments you may be offered are surgery and radiotherapy.
Prevention
Because vulvar cancer is so rare, there is currently no programme in place to screen for the cancer. However, an examination of the vulva is carried out during routine cervical smear tests.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer found in women, the most common being breast cancer. Around 1000 women die each year in Britain from cancer of the cervix. Cancer of the cervix may take many years to develop and can be prevented through early detection using screening programmes.
Symptoms
Cervical cancer often causes no symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. This is why systematic screening programmes (cervical smear tests) are so important.
Sometimes there is bleeding between periods or following sexual intercourse, discomfort during intercourse, and smelly vaginal discharge, but there are no dramatic early signs. Pain and general upset are rare until a late stage is reached. Later symptoms can be found as the result of other non-cancerous conditions, so if you have any concerns see your doctor to put your mind at rest.
Causes
Cancer of the cervix is more common in women with genital warts. Other factors that seem to be linked are the number of sexual partners (a high number increases the risk), a sexual partner with genital warts, heavy smoking, pregnancy at an early age, or three or more pregnancies.
Treatment
The success of treatment depends on the extent of the spread of the cancer at the time of diagnosis. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are all used to treat established cervical cancer, sometimes in combination.
Prevention
Cervical screening is a procedure which aims to stop cancer by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix (neck of the womb) early on. The first stage in cervical screening is a smear test.
A smear test is not a test for cancer, but can prevent cancer by early detection of abnormal cells. In most cases, abnormal cells do not mean you have cancer, but it can indicate that cancer may develop in the future.
The NHS screening programme in the UK offers free tests to women between the ages of 25 and 64 every three to five years. If you have not recently had a smear test, you may be offered one when you visit your GP or family planning clinic for something else. You should receive your first invitation for routine screening at 25.
The smear test takes less than five minutes. It is not painful but may be slightly uncomfortable. A swab is then used to gently scrape off some cells from the surface of the cervix, which are then sent for analysis.
Diagnosis
The results of the smear test should be available in writing from your GP within six weeks from the date of the smear test. If the results show that abnormal cell changes are present your GP will arrange for a second smear test or will refer you to a gynaecologist.
Links
The links below will provide you with more detailed information on reproductive system cancers.
- NHS Cervical Screening Programme: www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/index.html
- Cancer Research UK: www.cancerhelp.org.uk
- Cancer Bacup: www.cancerbacup.org.uk
