September marks Awareness Month for Gynecological Cancer. Gynecological cancer may be classified into five distinct diseases: cancer of the cervix, ovary, uterine/endometrial, vaginal and vulva. 78 percent of individuals were unaware of these five distinct gynecological cancers, according to a recent survey, and 86 percent did not know what symptoms to look out for. The Lady Garden Foundation spoke to 100 individuals between the ages of 18 and 44 who are recognized as women. 78 percent of the individuals they talked to were unaware of the five distinct gynecological cancers, they found. These cancers are also referred to as silent killers due to the fact that signs can be difficult to detect and a lack of understanding means that they have progressed significantly in some cases by the time the cancer is diagnosed.
It encompasses cervical, ovarian, uterine/endometrial, vaginal, and vulvar cancer as gynecological cancers are referred to. Each may manifest in various ways and no conclusive test is available to detect gynecological cancer. Eighty-six percent of individuals who spoke to the Lady Garden Foundation said they did not know what symptoms to look for. Bloodstains or light bleeding between or during periods and menstrual bleeding that is prolonged and heavier than normal may be signs of gynecological cancers. Pain in the back, legs, or pelvis can also be experienced. There are several individuals who report having lost their appetite. Similarly, some experience irregular vaginal discharge or urination that is difficult or painful. The individuals who participated in the Lady Garden Foundation’s survey shared 19 symptoms. 44 percent were not aware that they were symptoms of cancer and 62 percent did not know that gynecological cancers may also all be indications of constipation, feeling bloated, the need to move urine more frequently, weight gain, or loss or unexplained severe tiredness.
Cancer Research UK has estimated that due to Covid-19, about 2.5 million cancer tests or therapies were skipped and a 43 percent decrease in urgent two-week wait referrals for diagnostic tests compared to 2019 was estimated by the Center for Public Policy Research between April and June this year. Jenny Halpern Prince, co-founder, and chair of the Lady Garden Foundation speaking about the impact Covid-19 on their efforts on cancer prevention and diagnosis says ”The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted all our lives but the knock-on effect it will have on cancer diagnosis and survival rates are frightening. It’s more important now than ever that we visit our clinician with any concerns. Knowing the symptoms and getting an early diagnosis can save lives. It’s as simple as that.”
Awareness Month of Gynecological Cancer shows the signs of five distinct cancers that are not so frequently talked about which takes a longer time to detect because signs may be so difficult to recognize. While there is no standard test for all five gynecological cancers, it is a perfect way to raise awareness and detect any possible signs early by attending your smear test and talking to your clinician.
