The Eve Appeal - Raising Awareness of Gynae Cancers

Happy Wednesday one and all!

 

Fifty three women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer every day in the UK and twenty one die. The Eve Appeal was launched in 2005 to raise awareness of these cancers as well as raise funds for research into these cancer types. 

I wanted to focus on The Eve Appeal today and shine a light on all that they do.

Gynaecological Cancer is the group term for five cancer types that originate in the female reproductive system:

*Cervical Cancer – cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb). I have written extensively about this cancer type. It can affect women of all ages but is commonly found in women aged between thirty and forty five. It is a largely preventable cancer type as I like to mention as much as possible. Key symptoms of cervical cancer are:

-Any unusual bleeding from the vagina particularly after sex and after the menopause

-Persistent vaginal discharge that is blood stained or smells unpleasant.

The UK has a very successful screening process for cervical cancer involving smear tests and this is estimated to save around four thousand lives every year. The HPV vaccine will hopefully lead to even more prevented cases of cervical cancer in the future but at the moment it is hugely vital that you have your regular smear tests to pick up on any abnormal cells and treat them before they develop into cervical cancer.

*Ovarian Cancer – cancer of the ovaries accounts for more deaths in the UK then the other four gynaecological cancers put together. Around six thousand five hundred women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the UK every year and around four thousand two hundred die. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are hard to identify and it can be hard to diagnose the condition until it has spread to other parts of the body but the key early signs of ovarian cancer are:

-persistent pelvic and abdominal pain

-Increased abdominal size/persistent bloating

-Difficulty eating and feeling full quickly

-Needing to urinate more frequently

These symptoms are not just indicators for ovarian cancer but should always be checked out by a doctor to rule out anything serious such as ovarian cancer.

*Vaginal Cancer – cancer of the vagina is very rare and there are about two hundred and fifty cases seen in the UK every year. It is rarely found in ladies under the age of forty but most commonly found in women over the age of sixty. Changes to the vaginal lining called Vaginal Intrapithelial Neoplasia (VAIN) can give you a higher chance of developing vaginal cancer although the changes are not enough to make cells cancerous on their own. Cervical screening can sometimes pick up on these changes but this is not guaranteed as cervical cells are sampled during a smear test rather then vaginal cells. The HPV vaccine is able to provide some protection against vaginal cell changes. Symptoms of vaginal cancer or VAIN are are but can include:

-intermenstrual bleeding or bleeding after the menopause

-bleeding after sex

-vaginal discharge with a strong odour or that is blood stained

-pain during sex

-A lump or growth in the vagina

-A vaginal itch that won’t go away

20% of women diagnosed with vaginal cancer do not have any of the above symptoms and most of the above symptoms can be caused by something else so it is hugely vital that you visit your doctor for a check up if you feel something isn’t quite right.

Vulva Cancer – Vulva is the term used for the female external genital organs and vulval cancer is another rare cancer type with just over a thousand UK women diagnosed yearly. Around 80% of the women diagnosed are aged over sixty but the precancerous condition Vulval Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN) can be found in women aged between thirty to fifty. Signs of vulva cancer can include:

-a lasting itch

-pain or soreness

-thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches of skin

-a sore of growth on the skin

-burning sensation when you urinate.

-vaginal discharge or bleeding

-a mole that changes shape or colour

-swelling or a lump

As with most symptoms, these ones can indicate something other than cancer of the vulva but it is still vitally important to get them checked by a doctor should they arise.

Womb Cancer – uterine or endometrial cancer is the fourth most common cancer found in UK women and changes in our lifestyles mean it is on the increase. It is almost always curable as long as it is found in the early stages. The key signs of womb cancer are:

-vaginal bleeding after the menopause

-intermenstrual bleeding.

Any abnormal bleeding should be investigated by your GP immediately to rule out anything life threatening.

The Eve Appeal works hard to fund world class research into these cancer types at the Department of Women’s Cancers which is based at UCH in London. The research benefits women across the world and The Eve Appeal are consistently contributing about 15% of the total income used for research. Major breakthroughs are being achieved and the research is pioneering new ways to screen for gynaecological cancers as well as diagnose them early, prevent and treat them. This all leads to thousands of lives being saved every year.

Ladies I cannot stress enough how important it is to get to know what is normal for your body, especially your reproductive system. By learning what is normal for you, you will be able to notice when something is not quite right and by working that out and visiting a doctor to get the abnormality checked, cancer can be diagnosed quicker. The earlier cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE REGULAR SMEARS TOO!!!

For more information on gynaecological cancers and The Eve Appeal, please visit. www.eveappeal.org.uk

This post is dedicated to my Auntie/Nouna Gina who died of ovarian cancer in September 1994. She is missed every day.

xxx