IF you noticed bleeding in between periods, during sex or after you’d gone through the menopause, would you go to your GP about it?
Less than half of women would act on ‘red flag’ symptoms of gynaecological cancer, according to research by The Eve Appeal.
Just 45 per cent would speak to a doctor if they noticed spotting, bleeding or bloody discharge after their periods had stopped, and only 44 per cent would do so if they bled between periods, the charity found.
But abnormal vaginal bleeding is a ‘red-flag’ symptom of three out of the five gynaecological cancers: womb, 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 a GP if they experienced pain during sex and less than half (47 per cent) would do so if they bled during or after sex- often.
These are both one of the first tell-tale signs of cervical and vaginal cancer.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding refers to any bleeding – including spotting or bloody discharge – after the menopause, bleeding during or after sex, bleeding between periods or periods being much heavier or more painful than normal.
There are many non-cancerous causes to abnormal vaginal bleeding, but it is important you seek help if you notice such symptoms, just in case.
Women are sitting on symptoms, either because they don’t recognise them as signs of cancer or because they are ignoring them
Athena Lamnisos
The earlier womb, cervical and vaginal cancer are spotted, the better your chances of successful treatment.
Athena Lamnisos, The Eve Appeal CEO, said: “Abnormal bleeding is often noticed, but is all too often brushed off as ‘one of those things’.
“A post-menopausal period is not a thing. Period!”
She urged everyone to get to know what was ‘normal’ for them so they’d be able to spot key cancer symptoms like post-menopausal bleeds and get them checked out.
‘RED FLAG’ SYMPTOMS OF GYNAE CANCERS
The five gynaecological cancers include ovarian, womb, vaginal, cervical and vulval cancer.
Here the are the ‘red flag’ symptoms for each:
1. Ovarian cancer
Nearly 7,500 people are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year in the UK, making it the sixth most common cancer in women.
It’s most frequently diagnosed post-menopause, but it can affect anyone with ovaries at any stage of life.
The five main ovarian cancer symptoms 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 wee more regularly
Sufferers may also experience back pain, fatigue, weight loss and pain during sex.
2. Womb cancer
Womb cancer may also be referred to a uterine or endometrial cancer.
It’s also the fourth most common gynaecological cancer.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the main symptom of womb cancer, around nine out of 10 sufferers diagnosed after their abnormal bleeding was investigated.
This irregular bleeding might be:
- Vaginal bleeding after the menopause
- Bleeding between periods
- Bleeding that is unusually heavy
- Vaginal discharge that is blood-stained (pink, brown, red)
The Eve Appeal warned that cases of womb cancer are on the rise, with, having increased by 59 per cent in the UK since 1990.
They’re projected to rise from the current 9,700 a year to 11,800 by 2040.
3. Vulval cancer
Vulval cancer is rare, affecting around 1,350 people a year in the UK – mostly women over the age of 60.
But younger women are also being diagnosed with the cancer, so they should know to look out for:
- A lasting itch on the external genitalia (vulva)
- Pain or soreness on the external genitalia
- Thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the external genitalia
- An open sore or growth visible on the genital skin
- A mole on the external genitalia that changes shape or colour
- 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, eg. between periods, after menopause
- Discharge with an unpleasant smell or blood stained
- Pain during penetrative sex
- An internal lump or growth that you or your doctor can feel
- An internal itch that won’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 womb and vagina – this is also sometimes referred to as the neck of the womb.
It can affect patients at any age, but the incidence is highest in women aged 30 to 34.
Cervical screening programmes and HPV vaccines have reduced rates and save 4,000 lives each year, but there are still around 3,200 new cases in the UK annually.
The symptoms of cervical cancer aren’t always obvious, and it may not cause any at all until it’s reached an advanced stage.
But you might notice:
- Unusual bleeding, often after sex
- Pain and discomfort during sex
- Unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge
‘WOMEN’S HEALTH RIDDLED IN STIGMA’
The Eve Appeal published its survey findings to launch its annual campaign Get Lippy, which runs throughout May.
Athena, the charity’s CEO, explained: “The Get Lippy campaign is all about raising awareness of the five gynaecological cancers and their signs and symptoms.
“We want to these to be recognised and for women to know that they should always seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity.
“This latest research makes it clear that women are sitting on symptoms, either because they don’t recognise them as signs of cancer or because they are ignoring them.”
Dr Aziza Sesay, GP, echoed Athena in stating that some women “are literally dying of embarrassment”.
“Women’s and gynaecological health is often riddled with taboo and stigma and this contributes to many not seeking help early, which leads to late diagnoses and poorer outcomes.
“We need to keep having these conversations, destigmatising them, educating and encouraging more women to come forward when they have symptoms, pushing for change and saving thousands of lives in the process.”
Lydia Brain, who was diagnosed with womb cancer at 24, described how it took her years to realise her heavy bleeding wasn’t normal.
“For years my bleeding was getting heavier and heavier, and I was on the pill.
“It took me a long time to realise something wasn’t right, until I was using tampons and pads to keep it at bay, it just built up so gradually,” she recalled.
“The GP kept changing my Pill and saying it wasn’t anything to worry about.”
By the time doctors noticed she was severely anaemic and started to look into her symptoms, Lydia had two small tumours on her womb and needed a hysterectomy to treat them.
“Please, get any abnormal bleeding checked, it could save your life,” she stressed.
“And if you feel it isn’t being taken seriously, do try again, and again, however long it takes to get it checked.”
Most common cancers in women by age
YOUR risk for certain types of cancer changes as you age, according to Cancer Research UK.
0-14
In girls aged 14 and under in the UK, leukaemia is the most common cancers, accounting for almost a third (31 per cent) of all cases between 1997-2016.
15-24
For young women aged between 15 and 24, CRUK said carcinomas and melanomas were the most common cancers, accounting 43 per cent of all cases in 1997-2016.
25-49
Breast cancer was most commonly diagnosed in women aged 25 to 49 from 2016 to 2018, accounting for 43 per cent of all cases.
50-74
Breast cancer was also most common for women aged 50-74 making up 34 per cent of cases.
75+
This was again the cases for women aged 75 and over, as breast cancer accounted for 21 per cent of all cases between 2016 and 2018.
Source: Cancer Research UK