Know Your Body and Ask for Help – Intimate Cancers in Women

Women are often taught to feel embarrassed about discussing intimate health concerns. This can delay them from seeking help when symptoms persist or keep returning.

Our message is simple:
Know what is normal for your body and ask for help when something changes

This Women’s Month, women are encouraged to pay attention to possible symptoms of top cancers affecting women in SA, and specifically changes in the external genital area, known medically as the vulva, and to seek medical advice without shame or delay.

CANSA’s ‘Know Your Vulva, Know When to Ask’ campaign aims to give women the language and confidence to talk about symptoms affecting this part of the body.

The Vulva

The vulva is the external genital area and is different from the vagina, which is internal.

Using the correct word helps women explain symptoms more clearly to healthcare professionals.

Vulval cancer (also known as vulvar cancer) is uncommon, but South African research shows that cases are increasing and that it can affect younger, middle-aged and older women.

An analysis of South African National Cancer Registry data found that the incidence of vulval squamous cell carcinoma increased by an estimated 8% per year between 2011 and 2021.

The largest increases in incidence were recorded among women aged 15 to 44 and 45 to 54.

Possible Warning Signs

• persistent itching, burning or pain
• a lump, swelling or area of thickened skin
• a sore, ulcer or wound that does not heal
• a change in the colour or appearance of the skin
• bleeding not related to menstruation
• pain when urinating
• pain or discomfort during sex
• symptoms that return after repeated treatment

It is important to note that these symptoms may also be caused by conditions other than cancer.

However, any symptom that lasts longer than two weeks, keeps returning or does not improve with usual treatment should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

HPV and Vulval Cancer

Some vulval cancers are linked to persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus, or HPV.

HPV vaccination is an important form of cancer prevention, and CANSA encourages parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible girls receive the HPV vaccine through South Africa’s vaccination programme.

Women should also follow national guidance on cervical screening.

Cervical screening can detect HPV or abnormal cells in the cervix,
but it does not test for vulval cancer.

Women should therefore still report persistent changes on the vulva,
 even when cervical screening results are normal.

Women are reminded that HPV is common, and a person may have the virus for years without knowing it. There are many myths around HPV and these should be dismissed.

HPV must be discussed without judgement or stigma

Know your body and the words to use to advocate for your health!

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Did You Know?
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