About gynaecological cancer
Gynaecological cancers affect a woman’s reproductive system. They can happen to women of all ages but are most common if you’re over 50
In most cases, the type of gynaecological cancer is named after the part of the body where the cancer first develops.
Types of gynaecological cancers
Ovarian cancer happens when cancerous cells in the ovary grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way. They form a tumour that can spread to other areas of the body.
At an early stage, ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose.
There are two ovaries – one on each side of the body. They produce female sex hormones – oestrogen and progesterone. These control the menstrual cycle. They also produce an egg each month during your fertile years.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and a drug called tamoxifen (a breast cancer therapy) have been linked with an increase in the chance of getting ovarian cancer.
Endometrial cancer usually begins in the cells that line the womb (uterus).
No one is sure exactly what causes endometrial cancer but you’re more at risk if you have high levels of oestrogen in your body. This is more likely if you’re overweight, have diabetes or have had hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Older women are also at greater risk, as well as those with a family history of the problem.
Cervical cancer begins in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) and joins to the vagina. Abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow abnormally in an uncontrolled way.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of all cancers. It is easily treated if caught early. It can be triggered by a type of human papilloma virus (HPV) that is sexually acquired.
Vaginal cancer begins in cells that line the surface of the vagina. It’s a rarer type of cancer.
The vagina is the area between the cervix and the vulva. While other types of cancer can spread to the vagina, it’s unusual for cancer to begin in this area.
It has a good chance of being cured if it’s diagnosed early but if it spreads beyond the vaginal area, it’s more difficult to treat.
Cancer of the vulva is relatively rare. It can start in any part of the external female sex organs.
This includes the opening of the vagina, the inner and outer lips (also called labia minora and labia majora), the clitoris and the mons pubis (soft, fatty mound of tissue, above the labia).
Other types of gynaecological cancers can include fallopian tube cancer and placenta cancer (a pregnancy-related cancer).
Ovarian cancer happens when cancerous cells in the ovary grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way. They form a tumour that can spread to other areas of the body.
At an early stage, ovarian cancer can be difficult to diagnose.
There are two ovaries – one on each side of the body. They produce female sex hormones – oestrogen and progesterone. These control the menstrual cycle. They also produce an egg each month during your fertile years.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and a drug called tamoxifen (a breast cancer therapy) have been linked with an increase in the chance of getting ovarian cancer.
Endometrial cancer usually begins in the cells that line the womb (uterus).
No one is sure exactly what causes endometrial cancer but you’re more at risk if you have high levels of oestrogen in your body. This is more likely if you’re overweight, have diabetes or have had hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Older women are also at greater risk, as well as those with a family history of the problem.
Cervical cancer begins in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) and joins to the vagina. Abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow abnormally in an uncontrolled way.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of all cancers. It is easily treated if caught early. It can be triggered by a type of human papilloma virus (HPV) that is sexually acquired.
Vaginal cancer begins in cells that line the surface of the vagina. It’s a rarer type of cancer.
The vagina is the area between the cervix and the vulva. While other types of cancer can spread to the vagina, it’s unusual for cancer to begin in this area.
It has a good chance of being cured if it’s diagnosed early but if it spreads beyond the vaginal area, it’s more difficult to treat.
Cancer of the vulva is relatively rare. It can start in any part of the external female sex organs.
This includes the opening of the vagina, the inner and outer lips (also called labia minora and labia majora), the clitoris and the mons pubis (soft, fatty mound of tissue, above the labia).
Other types of gynaecological cancers can include fallopian tube cancer and placenta cancer (a pregnancy-related cancer).
Treatments we cover
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, kills cancer cells. It’s used in the early stages of cancer treatment or after it has started to spread. It can also be used to relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread.
Chemotherapy is medication that treats your cancer. The drugs kill cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading further.
Regional Cancer Centre, Corner of Borella Road and East Street, East Albury, VIC, 2640
(02) 6043 7800
3056 Albany Hwy, Suite 10, Armadale Hospital Specialist Centre, Armadale WA 6112
(08) 9391 1234
Cardiac Investigations Unit, Bundaberg Base Hospital, Bourbong Street, Bundaberg West, QLD, 4670
(07) 4199 7300
St John Of God Berwick Specialist Centre, 55 Kangan Drive, Berwick VIC 3806, Australia
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Suite 16, Buderim Private Hospital, 12 Elsa Wilson Drive, Buderim QLD 4556
(07) 5478 4829
Buderim Private Hospital, 12 Elsa Wilson Drive, Buderim QLD 4556
1800 155 225
Suite 21, St John of God Hospital, Southwest Health Campus, Corner of Roberston Drive & Bussell Highway, WA, 6230
(08) 9720 3400
South West Health Campus, Corner of Bussell Hwy & Roberston Drive, Bunbury, WA 6230
(08) 9726 6400
Suite 21, St John of God Hospital, Southwest Health Campus, (Cnr Robertson Drive & Bussell Hwy), Bunbury WA 6230
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Mater Misericordiae Hospital, 313 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg West, QLD, 4670
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Cabrini Hospital Malvern, Level B4, Gandel Wing, 183 Wattletree Road, Malvern, VIC 3144
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Calvary Central Districts Hospital, Jarvis Road, Elizabeth Vale SA 5112, Australia
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Chermside Medical Complex, Lower Ground Floor, 956 Gympie Road, Chermside Brisbane, QLD, 4032
(07) 3917 4400
Oriel Place, Suite 3, Level 1 531 Sandgate Road Clayfield QLD 4011
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Cockburn Health & Community Centre, Level 1, Suite 11, 11 Wentworth Parade, Success WA 6164
(08) 6332 2300
Cockburn Health & Community Centre, Level 1, Suite 11, 11 Wentworth Parade, Success WA 6164
(08) 9233 5200
Denmark Health Service, 50 Scotsdale Road, Denmark WA, Australia
(08) 9480 3000
Central Highlands Healthcare Ltd. Trading as Emerald Medical Group Lot 1, Pilot Farm Road, Emerald QLD 4720
(07) 3858 8690
Epping Medical Centre, Ground Floor, 230 Cooper Street, Epping, VIC, 3076
(03) 9409 8000
Department of Radiation Oncology Cancer Centre, Lower Ground Floor 102-118 Murdoch Drive, Murdoch WA 6150
1300 977 062
Flinders Private Hospital, Level 2, 1 Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, SA 5042
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Gympie Specialist and Diagnostic Centre, 74 - 76 Channon Street, Gympie QLD 4570
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Warringal Private Hospital, Suite 1, 216 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg VIC 3084
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(07) 4303 4351
Hollywood Consulting Centre Ground Floor, Unit 1 91 Monash Avenue Nedlands WA 6009
(08) 9286 8800
Hollywood Private Hospital, Diagnostic Nuclear Imaging, Monash Ave, Nedlands WA 6009
(08) 9438 8500
Waratah Private Hospital, Level 6, 31 Dora Street, Hurstville, NSW, 2220
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Jimboomba Medical Centre Shop 14, Jimboomba Shopping Centre Mt Lindesay Highway Jimboomba, Qld, 4280
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Nuclear Medicine & Therapy Centre, 42 Inland Drive, Tugun QLD 4224
(08) 9438 8500
John Flynn Private Hospital, 42 Inland Drive, Tugun QLD 4224
Level 3, Shenton House, 57 Shenton Avenue, Joondalup, WA 6027
(08) 9400 6161
Level 2 & 3, 57 Shenton Avenue, Joondalup WA 6027
(08) 9233 5200
Kalamunda Specialist Centre, 37 Elizabeth Street, Kalamunda, WA
(08) 9480 3000
Karratha Health Campus Outpatients Department 62 Balmoral Road KARRATHA WA 6714
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Lady Bjelke-Petersen Community Hospital (formerly South Burnett Private Hospital), 31 Markwell Street, Kingaroy QLD 4610
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(08) 8375 3200
Langwarrin Suite 2, 35 Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Langwarrin VIC 3910
(03) 8769 5800
Lilydale Private Consulting Suites, 475 Swansea Rd, Lilydale VIC 3140
(03) 9735 4288
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17 Farrelly Street, Margaret River WA, Australia
(08) 9720 3400
Margaret River Surgery, 1 Station Road, Margaret River WA, Australia
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Margaret River Surgery, 1 Station Road, Margaret River WA, Australia
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St Stephen's Medical Centre Suite 2, 166 John Street Maryborough QLD 4650
(07) 4303 4300
Mater Private Clinic Suite 5.02 & 5.11, Level 5 550 Stanley Street South Brisbane QLD 4101
(07) 3360 7100
The Mater Hospital, 25 Rocklands road, North Sydney, NSW
(02)9458 8050
Midland Medical Specialist Care, 23 The Crescent, Midland, WA 6056
(08) 9480 3000
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(07) 3725 3900
Mulgrave Private Hospital, Churchill Consulting Suites, Blanton Drive, Mulgrave VIC 3170
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St John of God Wexford Medical Centre, Level 4, Suite 68-72, 3 Barry Marshall Parade, Murdoch, WA 6150
(08) 6332 2300
Suite 59, SJOG Medical Centre Barry Marshall ParadeMurdoch WA 6150
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Suite 5-7, SJOG Medical Centre, 100 Murdoch Drive, Murdoch WA 6150
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Suite 20/21 Hollywood Medical Centre, 85 Monash Avenue, Nedlands WA
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Lake Macquarie Private Hospital, 36 Pacific Highway, Gateshead, NSW, 2290
(02) 4918 4500
Lake Imaging Specialist and Research Centre, 14-20 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051
(03) 9813 7950
North Shore Health Hub, Level 1, 7 Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia
(02) 8037 4100
North Shore Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, North Shore Private Hospital, Westbourne Street, St Leonards NSW 2065
(08) 9438 8500
St Andrew’s Hospital, North Street, Spring Hill, QLD, 4000
(07) 3832 1717
Lakeside Square Medical Precinct, Level 2, 2-9 Village Way, Pakenham VIC 3810
(03) 8793 3800
Melbourne Private Hospital, Private Medical Centre, Level 4, Suite 22, Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052
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Suite 3 Mount Medical Centre, Level 3, 140 Mounts Bay Road, Perth WA 6000
(08) 9233 5200
Pindara Specialist Suites Suite 4.07, Level 4, 29 Carrara Street, Benowa QLD 4214
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(07) 5322 5900
Epworth Consulting Level 6, Suite 6.4 89 Bridge Road, Richmond VIC 3121
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Ringwood Private Hospital, 36 Mount Dandenong Road, Ringwood East VIC 3135
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RiverCity Private Hospital, Level 4, 401 Milton Road, Auchenflower, QLD, 4066
Mater Hospital (Outpatients Department) 31 Ward Street Rockhampton QLD 4700
(07) 3858 8690
Rockhampton Hospital, Lower Ground Floor, Canning Street, Rockhampton, QLD, 4700
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(07) 3377 4200
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(03) 8467 5900
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Royal Street Specialist Centre, Cnr Royal Street & Wanneroo Rd, Yokine WA 6060
(08) 9233 5200
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