Cancers that start in a woman's reproductive system are called gynaecological cancers.There are 5 of them. They are; Cervical cancer Ovarian cancer Vulvar cancer Vaginal cancer Womb cancer - also called uterine cancer or endometrial cancer What is Cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the neck of the womb. The neck of the womb is called the cervix. The womb and cervix are part of a woman's reproductive system, which is made up of the vagina, womb, including the cervix, ovaries and Fallopian tubes.The good news is that cervical cancer is preventable and also treatable if detected early.
Cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease, yet it is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in Nigeria. What is Ovarian cancer? Ovarian cancer, "the silent killer," is the deadliest gynaecological disease. Unfortunately, it is difficult to catch in its early stages.This is why women should pay attention to their bodies for any unusual changes. Ovarian cancer can be hard to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to other common conditions. This means that it is often picked up late by which time the disease has often spread. Fortunately, if it is detected early, it can be treated successfully before it gets to this stage. What is Vulvar cancer? Cancer of the vulva is also called vulvar cancer. The term vulva means the external sex organs of a woman or the area of skin that surrounds the urethra and vagina. This type of cancer is very rare however, it still happens and we need to know about it. Symptoms may include a lasting itch or pain or soreness of the vulva or an open sore/growth visible on the skin. It is important that women pay attention to their bodies for any unusual changes and report such changes to a doctor as soon as possible. What is Vaginal cancer? This is the most rare of the gynaecological cancers. Symptoms may include bleeding when you are not having a period or bleeding after menopause. Another symptom may be a lump or growth in the vagina. It is important to note that these symptoms may be caused by conditions other than vaginal cancer,however ladies experiencing any of these should please speak to their doctor immediately. What is Womb cancer? The womb is part of a woman’s reproductive system. It is the pear shaped muscular bag that holds and protects a growing baby during pregnancy. The most common symptom of womb cancer is abnormal or unexplained bleeding from the vagina, especially in women who have stopped having periods. It is important to note that this may be caused by conditions other than cancer of the womb, however ladies experiencing this should please speak to their doctor immediately.