Cancers of the Female Reproductive Organs All women are at risk of developing cancer that affects the organs of the reproductive system, referred to as gynecologic cancers. There are five main types, including cancer of the ovaries, cervix, uterus, vagina and vulva. Around 100,000 women are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and risk increases as you age. Learn more about each type of gynecologic cancer and how to protect yourself. Ovarian Cancer Cervical Cancer Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer Ovarian Cancer Your ovaries are the two organs that produce eggs. Cancer of the ovaries is the leading cause of death in gynecologic cancers. Risk Factors Factors that may increase your risk of ovarian cancer include: Having a mother or sister who had ovarian cancer Having two or more relatives with ovarian cancer Inherited genetic changes or syndromes Being overweight or obese Having endometriosis Symptoms In the early stages of ovarian cancer, symptoms may not be present. Once the disease advances, you may recognize the following symptoms: Abdominal, back or pelvic pain Abnormal vaginal bleeding Bloating Constipation Frequent or urgent need to urinate Loss of appetite or feeling full too quickly Screening No screening tests currently exist for women without any signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer. The best way to protect yourself is to monitor your body closely and notice any changes that may be abnormal. If you recognize any signs of potential cancer, speak with your health care provider. For more information on how to detect ovarian cancer, click here. Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, which is the narrow end of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. Risk Factors The following factors may increase your risk of an HPV infection that could lead to cervical cancer: Becoming sexually active before the age of 18 Having multiple sexual partners Giving birth to multiple children Having a weakened immune system Smoking or breathing secondhand smoke Being obese Symptoms Signs of cervical cancer may not appear in the early stages of the disease. Once cervical cancer progresses, you may notice the following symptoms: Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge Pain and/or bleeding during sex Screening Cervical cancer is the only type of gynecologic cancer with reliable screening tests before symptoms develop. Your health care provider may recommend a Pap test (also referred to as a Pap smear), an HPV test or a combination of these tests. It is recommended that women over 21 years get a Pap test every three years. Women between the ages of 30-65 years should get an HPV test or an HPV/Pap cotest every five years. Your provider may recommend more frequent screening if you are at high risk. For more information on cervical cancer screening, click here. Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. Risk Factors These factors may increase your risk of endometrial cancer: Being obese or gaining weight as an adult Having metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes Using estrogen-only hormone therapy Beginning your menstrual cycle (period) at an early age Starting menopause at an older age Never being pregnant Using tamoxifen for more than 2 years Having a mother, sister or daughter with endometrial cancer Having Lynch syndrome, Cowden syndrome or Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Having an abnormally thick uterus lining, known as endometrial hyperplasia Symptoms The following may be signs of endometrial cancer: Abnormal vaginal bleeding Pelvic pain or pressure Difficult or painful urination Screening No screening tests currently exist for women without any signs or symptoms of uterine cancer. The best way to protect yourself is to monitor your body closely and notice any changes that may be abnormal. If you recognize any signs of potential cancer, speak with your health care provider. For more information on how to detect uterine cancer, click here. Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer The vagina, also called the birth canal, connects the uterus to the outside of the body. The vulva are the genital organs located outside the body, including the labia and clitoris. Cancer of these organs is very rare, making up less than 10% of U.S. gynecologic cancer diagnoses. Risk Factors The following factors may increase your risk of vaginal or vulvar cancer: Having HPV for a long time Having cervical cancer Having cervical, vulvar or vaginal precancer (abnormal cells that can turn into cancer if not treated) Having vulvar itching or burning that lasts a long time Having a weakened immune system Smoking Symptoms In the early stages of vaginal cancer, you may not experience symptoms. If they are present, you may notice: Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge Blood in your urine or stool Going to the bathroom more frequently Constipation Pelvic pain, especially while urinating or having sex By contrast, vulvar cancer often does show symptoms. These may include: Constant itching or burning of the vulva Changes in the vulva’s skin color Sores, lumps, ulcers, warts or rashes on the vulva Pelvic pain, especially while urinating or having sex Screening No screening tests currently exist for women without any signs or symptoms of vaginal or vulvar cancer. The best way to protect yourself is to monitor your body closely and notice any changes that may be abnormal. If you recognize any signs of potential cancer, speak with your health care provider. Click the respective links to learn more about testing for vaginal and vulvar cancer. How Can I Protect Myself? Gynecologic cancer is not always preventable, yet there are things you can do to reduce your risk: Get vaccinated against HPV: The HPV vaccine protects against most types of HPV that cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer. Vaccination is recommended for those between the age of 11 and 12 years old but can start as early as age 9. It is also recommended for everyone up to the age of 26. Since the vaccine protects against new infection and does not treat existing disease, it is best to be vaccinated early, before any possible HPV exposure. Practice safe sex: Engaging in risky sex behaviors can expose you to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HPV. Using condoms consistently and correctly, limiting your number of sexual partners and having open conversations about your sexual history with your partner(s) can help protect you from cancer-causing HPV. Live a healthy lifestyle: Engaging in regular physical activity and eating balanced meals can help prevent obesity, which is a risk factor for ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancer. Choosing not to smoke or quitting smoking may also help protect you from cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer. Consider genetic testing: If you have a family history of ovarian, breast or endometrial cancer, you may want to speak with your health care provider about the possible benefits of genetic counseling and/or testing. Since most types of gynecologic cancers do not have recommended screening tests, these procedures may help detect cancer before symptoms appear and the disease worsens. Gynecologic cancer is usually easier to treat when found early. Knowing the symptoms and taking action to reduce your risk can help protect you from serious disease. Pay attention to bodily changes you experience and speak with your health care provider about any concerns. Additional ResourcesMilitary Health System - “Cancers of the Female Reproductive System”TRICARE - “Don’t Delay Your TRICARE Covered Cancer Screenings: Cervical Cancer”U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - “Pap Test and Gynecologic Cancer”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Gynecologic Cancers”ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention - “Gynecologic Cancers Basics”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Reducing Risk for Gynecologic Cancers”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Screening for Ovarian Cancer”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Screening for Uterine Cancer”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Screening for Vaginal and Vulvar Cancers”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Symptoms of Gynecologic Cancers”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer Risk Factors”Johns Hopkins Medicine - “If You Feel Something, Say Something: Preventing and Detecting Gynecological Cancers”National Cancer Institute - “Cervical Cancer Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention”National Cancer Institute - “https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/screening”National Cancer Institute - “Endometrial Cancer Prevention”National Cancer Institute - “Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Primary Peritoneal Cancers Prevention”
