Your Consultant or Cancer Nurse Specialist will be able to talk to you about your cancer in more detail. You can also find further information on gynaecological cancers in the sections below.
Gynaecological cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman’s reproductive organs. There are five main types of gynaecological cancer.
What are the 5 Gynaecological cancers?
The five main types of gynaecological cancer are: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulva. (A sixth type of gynecological cancer is the very rare fallopian tube cancer.)
- Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus. (The uterus is also called the womb)
- Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, which are located on each side of the uterus.
- Uterine cancer begins in the uterus, the pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis where the baby grows when she is pregnant.
- Vaginal cancer begins in the vagina, which is the hollow, tube-like channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body.
- Vulva cancer begins in the vulva, the outer part of the female genital organs.
Each gynecological cancer is unique, with different signs and symptoms, different risk factors (things that may increase your chance of getting a disease), and different prevention strategies.
All women are at risk for gynecological cancers, and risk increases with age. When gynecological cancers are found early, treatment is most effective.
The following links to videos cover a range of topics around Gynaecology cancer care
The attached websites are useful for different aspects of Gynaecology cancer information.
- Vulval cancer - Macmillan Cancer Support
- Vaginal cancer - Macmillan Cancer Support
- Womb cancer - symptoms, stages, causes and treatment - Macmillan Cancer Support
- Ovarian cancer - Macmillan Cancer Support
- Cervical cancer - stages, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment - Macmillan Cancer Support
- Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust - This is a UK charity dedicated to supporting women who have received a diagnosis of cervical cancer and their families. They campaign regularly about how important it is for women to attend their smear tests and prevention. They provide information and advice about the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and the chance to ask questions of experts in the field. A helpline and online forum are also available.