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.
