IF you noticed bleeding between periods, during sex, or after going through menopause, would you go to your doctor about it?
Less than half of women would act on the “red flag” symptoms of gynecological cancer, according to research by The Eve Appeal.
Just 45 per cent would see a doctor if they noticed spotting, bleeding or bloody discharge after stopping their period, and just 44 per cent would do so if they were bleeding between periods, the charity found.
But abnormal vaginal bleeding is a “warning sign” symptom of three of the five types of gynecological cancers: uterine, cervical and vaginal.
Together, these cancers affect around 13,150 people in the UK every year, The Eve Appeal warned.
The survey also found that just a third (35 per cent) of women would go to their GP if they felt pain during sex and less than half (47 per cent) would do so if they bled during or after sex – often.
Both are one of the first telltale signs of cervical and vaginal cancer.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding refers to any bleeding—including spotting or bloody discharge—after menopause, bleeding during or after sex, bleeding between periods, or periods that are much heavier or more painful than normal.
There are many non-cancerous causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding, but it’s important that you seek help if you notice these symptoms, just in case.
Women experience symptoms, either because they don’t recognize them as signs of cancer or because they ignore them
Athena Lamnisos
The earlier cancer of the uterus, cervix and vagina is detected, the greater your chances of successful treatment.
Athena Lamnisos, CEO of The Eve Appeal, said: “Abnormal bleeding is often noticed but is often dismissed as ‘one of those things’.
“A postmenopausal period is not a thing. Period!”
She urged everyone to know what was “normal” for them so they could spot key symptoms of cancer, like postmenopausal bleeding, and get tested.
GYNEA CANCER ‘RED FLAG’ SYMPTOMS
The five gynecological cancers include ovarian, uterine, vaginal, cervical, and vulvar cancer.
Here are the ‘red flag’ symptoms for each:
1. Ovarian cancer
Almost 7,500 people are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year in the UK, making it the sixth most common type of cancer in women.
It is most often diagnosed postmenopausal, but can affect anyone with ovaries at any stage of life.
The five main symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
- Increased abdominal size and persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes)
- Persistent pelvic and abdominal pain
- Unexplained change in bowel habits
- Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly or feeling nauseous
- Needing to pee more regularly
Sufferers may also experience back pain, fatigue, weight loss and pain during sex.
2. Uterine cancer
Uterine cancer may also be referred to as uterine or endometrial cancer.
It is also the fourth most common gynecological cancer.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the main symptom of uterine cancer, about nine out of 10 patients are diagnosed after investigating the abnormal bleeding.
This irregular bleeding may be:
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding that is unusually heavy
- Vaginal discharge with streaks of blood (pink, brown, red)
The Eve Appeal has warned that cases of womb cancer are on the rise, having risen by 59 per cent in the UK since 1990.
They are expected to increase from the current 9,700 per year to 11,800 in 2040.
3. Vulvar cancer
Vulvar cancer is rare, affecting around 1,350 people a year in the UK – mainly women over 60.
But younger women are also being diagnosed with cancer, so they should know to watch out for:
- A lasting itch on the external genitalia (vulva)
- Pain or discomfort in the external genitalia
- Thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the external genitalia
- An open sore or visible growth on the genital skin
- A wart on the external genitalia that changes shape or color
- A lump or swelling on the external genitalia
4. Vaginal cancer
Vaginal cancer is rarer, with 250 people diagnosed with it in the UK each year.
The most common signs include:
- Abnormal bleeding, for example. between periods, after menopause
- Bad-smelling or blood-stained discharge
- Pain during penetrative sex
- A lump or ingrowth that you or your doctor may feel
- An internal itch that doesn’t go away and pain when urinating
- Persistent pelvic and internal pain
5. Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix, which connects the uterus and vagina – sometimes also called the cervix.
It can affect patients of any age, but the incidence is higher in women between 30 and 34 years old.
Cervical screening programs and HPV vaccines have reduced rates and saved 4,000 lives every year, but there are still around 3,200 new cases in the UK annually.
Cervical cancer symptoms are not always obvious and may not cause any symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.
But you might notice:
- Unusual bleeding, usually after sex
- Pain and discomfort during sex
- Unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge
‘WOMEN’S HEALTH FULL OF STIGMA’
The Eve Appeal published survey results to launch its annual campaign Get excitedwhich takes place throughout the month of May.
Athena, CEO of the charity, explained: “The Get Lippy campaign aims to raise awareness of the five types of gynecological cancer and their signs and symptoms.
“We want these to be recognized and for women to know that they should always seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity.
“This latest research makes it clear that women experience symptoms, either because they don’t recognize them as signs of cancer or because they ignore them.”
Dr Aziza Sesay, GP, echoed Athena in stating that some women “are literally dying of shame”.
“Women’s health and gynecology is often fraught with taboos and stigma and this contributes to many not seeking help early, which leads to late diagnoses and worse outcomes.
“We need to continue to have these conversations, destigmatize them, educate and encourage more women to speak up when they experience symptoms, pushing for change and saving thousands of lives in the process.”
Lydia Brain, who was diagnosed with uterine cancer aged 24, described how it took her years to realize her heavy bleeding was not normal.
“For years my bleeding became more and more intense and I was on the pill.
“It took me a long time to realize something wasn’t right until I started using tampons and pads to keep it under control as it gradually escalated,” she recalled.
“The GP kept changing my pill and saying it was nothing to worry about.”
When doctors noticed she was severely anemic and began investigating her symptoms, Lydia had two small tumors in her uterus and needed a hysterectomy to treat them.
“Please get any abnormal bleeding checked, it could save your life,” she emphasized.
“And if you think you’re not being taken seriously, try again and again for as long as it takes to check.”
Most common cancers in women by age
YOUR risk of certain types of cancer changes with age, according to Cancer Research UK.
0-14
In girls aged 14 and under in the UK, leukemia is the most common cancer, accounting for almost a third (31 per cent) of all cases between 1997-2016.
15-24
For young women aged 15 to 24, CRUK said carcinomas and melanomas were the most common cancers, accounting for 43 per cent of all cases in 1997-2016.
25-49
Breast cancer was most frequently diagnosed in women aged between 25 and 49 between 2016 and 2018, representing 43 percent of all cases.
50-74
Breast cancer was also more common in women aged between 50 and 74, accounting for 34 percent of cases.
75+
This was again the case for women aged 75 and over, as breast cancer accounted for 21 percent of all cases between 2016 and 2018.
Source: Cancer research in the UK
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