VAGINAL & VULVAR CANCER - Centers for Disease …

1 VAGINAL & VULVAR CANCER . Get the Facts About Gynecologic CANCER There are five main types of CANCER that affect a woman's reproductive organs: cervical, ovarian, uterine, VAGINAL , and VULVAR . As a group, they are referred to as gynecologic (GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) CANCER . (A sixth type of gynecologic CANCER is the very rare fallopian tube CANCER .). This fact sheet about VAGINAL & VULVAR cancers is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic CANCER campaign. The campaign helps women get the facts about gynecologic CANCER , providing important inside knowledge about their bodies and health. What are VAGINAL and Are there tests that can VULVAR cancers? find VAGINAL and VULVAR Who gets VAGINAL and CANCER is a Disease in which cells cancers early? VULVAR cancers? in the body grow out of control.

2 The best ways to find VAGINAL CANCER is always named for the part and VULVAR cancers early are to While all women are at risk for of the body where it starts, even if it get regular checkups and to see these cancers, few will get them. spreads to other body parts later. a doctor if you have any signs VAGINAL and VULVAR cancers are When CANCER starts in the vagina, or symptoms, such as lumps or changes in the vagina or vulva. very rare. Together, they account it is called VAGINAL CANCER . The vagina, also called the birth canal, The doctor may perform tests for 6-7 percent of all gynecologic is the hollow, tube-like channel or other procedures to find out cancers diagnosed in the , between the bottom of the uterus what is causing these symptoms. with an estimated 1,300 women and the outside of the body. Your doctor also may recommend diagnosed with VAGINAL CANCER When CANCER forms in the vulva, more follow-up tests or more frequent exams to check for and 4,900 women with VULVAR it is VULVAR CANCER .

3 The vulva is the outer part of the female genital VAGINAL or VULVAR cancers if you CANCER each year. organs. It has two folds of skin, have had abnormal Pap test called the labia. VULVAR CANCER results or a history of cervical most often occurs on the inner CANCER . These things may place edges of the labia. you at a higher risk of getting HPV-associated cancers, like When VAGINAL and VULVAR cancers are VAGINAL , VULVAR , and cervical found early, treatment is most effective. cancers. It is important to note that the Pap test does not screen for VAGINAL and VULVAR cancers. The only CANCER the Pap test screens for is cervical CANCER . Inside Knowledge is an initiative Fallopian Tube that supports the Gynecologic Ovary CANCER Education and Awareness Uterus Act of 2005, or Johanna's Law, Cervix which was unanimously passed Vagina by the House and Senate in Vulva December of 2006, and signed 800-CDC-INFO into law in January 2007.

4 Can the HPV vaccine prevent If one or more of these things VAGINAL and VULVAR cancers? is true for you, it does not mean What are the signs and symptoms you will get VAGINAL or VULVAR of VAGINAL and VULVAR cancers? Many VAGINAL and VULVAR cancers CANCER . But you should speak are caused by the human Most VAGINAL cancers do not with your doctor to see if he papillomavirus (HPV), a common cause signs or symptoms early on. or she recommends more virus that is passed from one When VAGINAL CANCER does cause frequent exams. person to another during sex. symptoms, they may include: There is a vaccine that protects How can I prevent VAGINAL VAGINAL discharge or bleeding that against the types of HPV that most and VULVAR cancers? is not normal for you. The bleeding often cause cervical, VAGINAL , and may be abnormal because of how VULVAR cancers.

5 It is recommended Get the HPV vaccine. It protects heavy it is, or when it happens, for preteens (both boys and girls) against the types of HPV that such as bleeding after you have aged 11 to 12 years, but can be most often cause cervical, gone through menopause; given as early as age 9 and until VAGINAL , and VULVAR cancers. If bleeding between periods; or any age 26. The vaccine is given in you are between the ages of other bleeding that is longer or a series of either two or three 9 and 26, talk to your doctor heavier than is normal for you. shots, depending on age. If you or about the HPV vaccine. A change in bathroom habits, someone you care about is in this Take steps to reduce your risk such as having blood in the age range, talk with a doctor or of getting HPV or HIV, such as stool or urine; having more other health professional about it.

6 Avoiding sex or limiting your frequent or urgent need to To learn more about the HPV number of sexual partners. urinate; or feeling constipated. vaccine visit Don't smoke. VULVAR cancers often cause signs or symptoms including one or more of What should I do if my the following: What raises a woman's doctor says I have VAGINAL Itching, burning, pain or chance of getting VAGINAL or VULVAR CANCER ? tenderness on the vulva that or VULVAR CANCER ? If your doctor says that you have does not go away. There is no way to know for sure VAGINAL or VULVAR CANCER , ask to Changes in vulva skin color, if you will get VAGINAL or VULVAR be referred to a gynecologic where it is redder or whiter than CANCER . Some women get these oncologist a doctor who has been normal for you. cancers without being at high risk. trained to treat cancers like these.

7 However, the following factors may This doctor will work with you to Changes on the vulva skin, such as increase a woman's risk for VAGINAL create a treatment plan. a rash, warts, sores, lumps or ulcers. or VULVAR CANCER : Pay attention to your body, and know Having HPV. what is normal for you. If you have VAGINAL bleeding that is not normal for Having had cervical precancer you, see a doctor right away. If you or cervical CANCER . have any of the other signs that may Having a condition (such as HIV, Where can I find more be associated with VAGINAL or VULVAR the virus that can lead to AIDS) information about VAGINAL , VULVAR , CANCER , and they last for two weeks or that makes it hard for your body and other gynecologic cancers? longer, see a doctor. These symptoms to fight off health problems. Centers for Disease Control and may be caused by something other Smoking.

8 Prevention: 800-CDC-INFO or than CANCER , but the only way to know is to see your doctor. Having ongoing VULVAR itching or burning. National CANCER Institute: 800-4- CANCER or 800-CDC-INFO. Get the Facts About Gynecologic CANCER CDC Publication #99-9125, Revised December 2016.