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Gynecological Cancers
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Gynecological Cancers signs, follow-up guidance, risk factors, testing information, and trusted cancer resources from PINC Foundation.
Gynecological cancers can affect the cervix, ovaries, uterus/endometrium, vagina, or vulva. Knowing what is normal for your body—and acting on changes—matters.
These cancers can occur at different ages. Cervical cancer may affect younger adults; ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers are more common later in life. Family history and inherited variants may change risk at younger ages.
• Persistent high-risk HPV infection for cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers
• Increasing age
• Lynch syndrome; BRCA1/BRCA2 and related inherited risks for some cancers
• Obesity and unopposed estrogen exposure for endometrial cancer
• Smoking, immune suppression, and relevant family history
• Persistent high-risk HPV infection for cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers
• Increasing age
• Lynch syndrome; BRCA1/BRCA2 and related inherited risks for some cancers
• Obesity and unopposed estrogen exposure for endometrial cancer
• Smoking, immune suppression, and relevant family history
• Unusual vaginal bleeding, including after sex or after menopause
• Pelvic pressure or pain; persistent bloating or increased abdominal size
• Feeling full quickly or changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Vulvar itching, burning, color change, sore, lump, or skin change
Any bleeding after menopause should be evaluated. Also follow up for bleeding between periods or after sex, persistent bloating/pelvic symptoms, or a vulvar/vaginal change that does not heal. Heavy bleeding with weakness or severe pain needs urgent care.
• Unusual vaginal bleeding, including after sex or after menopause
• Pelvic pressure or pain; persistent bloating or increased abdominal size
• Feeling full quickly or changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Vulvar itching, burning, color change, sore, lump, or skin change
Any bleeding after menopause should be evaluated. Also follow up for bleeding between periods or after sex, persistent bloating/pelvic symptoms, or a vulvar/vaginal change that does not heal. Heavy bleeding with weakness or severe pain needs urgent care.
Routine screening is available for cervical cancer with HPV-based testing and/or Pap testing according to age and guideline. There is no routine screening test proven to reduce deaths from ovarian, uterine/endometrial, vaginal, or vulvar cancer in average-risk people without symptoms; symptom evaluation is essential.
• Pelvic examination and careful review of symptoms
• Cervical HPV/Pap testing when appropriate
• Transvaginal ultrasound for selected uterine or ovarian symptoms
• Endometrial, cervical, vaginal, or vulvar biopsy when indicated
• Blood tests and imaging as part of a specialist evaluation—not as stand-alone screening
Routine screening is available for cervical cancer with HPV-based testing and/or Pap testing according to age and guideline. There is no routine screening test proven to reduce deaths from ovarian, uterine/endometrial, vaginal, or vulvar cancer in average-risk people without symptoms; symptom evaluation is essential.
• Pelvic examination and careful review of symptoms
• Cervical HPV/Pap testing when appropriate
• Transvaginal ultrasound for selected uterine or ovarian symptoms
• Endometrial, cervical, vaginal, or vulvar biopsy when indicated
• Blood tests and imaging as part of a specialist evaluation—not as stand-alone screening
• Which organ could be causing these symptoms?
• Is this visit for screening or for diagnosing a symptom?
• Do I need ultrasound, biopsy, or gynecologic oncology referral?
• Does my family history suggest genetic counseling?
• Which organ could be causing these symptoms?
• Is this visit for screening or for diagnosing a symptom?
• Do I need ultrasound, biopsy, or gynecologic oncology referral?
• Does my family history suggest genetic counseling?
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/gynecologic
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/gynecologic-cancer.html
https://www.cancer.gov/types/gynecologic
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/gynecologic-cancer.html
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