About gynaecological cancer
Each year in Australia around 6000 new cases of gynaecological cancer are diagnosed. Even though there are thousands of new cases every year, awareness of the symptoms is low.
In most cases, the type of gynaecological cancer is named after the part of the body where the cancer first develops.
Types of gynaecological cancer
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.
The fallopian tubes are part of a woman’s reproductive system and link the ovaries to the uterus (womb). It’s very rare for cancer to start in the fallopian tubes.
Most cancers that affect the fallopian tubes actually start somewhere else – usually in an ovary, breast, or the lining of the uterus (endometrium). This is known as secondary cancer. The most common kind of fallopian tube cancer is adenocarcinoma.
Most cases of ovarian cancer affect women who have been through the menopause, normally aged over 50.
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.
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).
Risk factors include genetics, being nulliparous (not had children), being overweight/obese, diabetes, lack of physical activity, hormone replacement therapy, polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS, polyps, Parkinson’s disease and breast cancer patients who have been taking tamoxifen long term.
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.
The fallopian tubes are part of a woman’s reproductive system and link the ovaries to the uterus (womb). It’s very rare for cancer to start in the fallopian tubes.
Most cancers that affect the fallopian tubes actually start somewhere else – usually in an ovary, breast, or the lining of the uterus (endometrium). This is known as secondary cancer. The most common kind of fallopian tube cancer is adenocarcinoma.
Most cases of ovarian cancer affect women who have been through the menopause, normally aged over 50.
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.
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).
Risk factors include genetics, being nulliparous (not had children), being overweight/obese, diabetes, lack of physical activity, hormone replacement therapy, polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS, polyps, Parkinson’s disease and breast cancer patients who have been taking tamoxifen long term.
Treatments we offer
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.
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.
Meet our doctors
Everything we do is focused on designing better care for our patients. With a network of 12 specialist oncology treatment centres across the UK, we provide the most up-to-date treatments and technology as standard.
We attract and retain some of the most experienced doctors in the country, who all have a passion for improving patient outcomes and specialise in the treatment of different types of cancer.
Search for a centre near you
Springfield Cancer Centre, Lawn Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 7GU
Unit 710, Centennial Park, Centennial Avenue, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SZ
BMI St Martha Oncology Centre, 46 Harvey Road, Guildford, GU1 3LX
17 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4UA
Sunrise Parkway, Linford Wood East, Milton Keynes, MK14 6LS
The Park Centre for oncology, Sherwood Lodge Drive, Burntstump Country Park, Nottingham, NG5 8RX
Spire Hospital, Chalybeate Close, Southampton, SO16 6UY