Gynaecology videos

Gynaecological cancers

Gynaecological cancers are cancers that originate in female reproductive organs, including the womb, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva. We know that if cancer is detected early, it’s much more likely to be treated effectively and treatment can be less intense. Knowing your own body, and what is normal for you, is a good way to identify when something isn’t right. We are providing the information below to help you to identify when something isn’t right, and when to seek help from your GP practice.

Types of gynaecological cancer

There are five cancers that are included in the category of gynaecological cancers: ​​​​Cervical ​​​,​Ovarian, Vaginal, Vulva, and Womb (uterus) or endometrial.

Signs and symptoms

The first step to being able to spot any cancer symptoms is to know your body and what is normal for you. If you think something isn’t right, don’t wait, seek medical advice from your GP practice.

Each of the gynaecological cancers have different signs and symptoms, with some overlap. The links above provide information on signs and symptoms for each of the cancers.

In the video below Dr Alice Parr, a GP cancer lead tells you more about when to seek help from your GP practice. Our patient partners Diane Boothby and Glenys Dawkins both have experience of ovarian cancer. In the films below, they describe their signs and symptoms and how they were diagnosed.

Your GP can make an urgent suspected cancer referral if you are experiencing symptoms that could suggest that you may have cancer. It’s normal to worry when you are urgently referred to see a specialist by your GP or nurse. However, more than nine out of every ten people (more than 90%) referred this way will not be diagnosed with cancer.  ​​​​​​​

Our patient partners Diane Boothby and Glenys Dawkins both have experience of ovarian cancer. In the films below, they describe their signs and symptoms and how they were diagnosed.

Your GP can make an urgent suspected cancer referral if you are experiencing symptoms that could suggest that you may have cancer. It’s normal to worry when you are urgently referred to see a specialist by your GP or nurse. However, more than nine out of every ten people (more than 90%) referred this way will not be diagnosed with cancer.

Diagnosis – tests

We understand that if you are referred for further tests for gynaecological cancers this can be daunting. The tests will be carried out in a hospital or clinical setting, and we understand that having an intimate test can be an anxious experience for some people. All of our teams are there to put you at your ease and make the experience as easy as possible.

Diagnostic tests for genealogical cancers can involve the following tests:

• Physical examinations
• Ultrasound and internal ultrasound scans
• Colposcopy
• Hysteroscopy

We have produced the following videos that show you what to expect at your appointment if you are referred for a colposcopy or hysteroscopy.

The following video is specific to the One-stop service currently provided at Colchester General Hospital but does cover ultrasound scans that are provided in other locations. Published with thanks to East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

Diane’s story

In the following video you can hear from our patient partner Diane. Diane shares her experiences of ovarian cancer from realising something was wrong through to treatment and discharge. Published with thanks to Diane and Norfolk and Waveney ICB.