Charity warns of cancer sign women must not ignore

A charity has warned that women are “quite literally sitting on symptoms” following a poll which suggested that 80 per cent would not have an unexpected vaginal bleed checked immediately, even if they were aware that it might be a possible sign of cancer.

The research for The Eve Appeal showed that 72 per cent of women surveyed said they were not taught at school how to spot when something is wrong with their periods. The poll also found that 80 per cent would not seek immediate medical attention for abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Abnormal bleeding is one of the key symptoms of the five gynaecological cancers – cervical, womb and vaginal, which affect 12,750 women each year.

The charity said that although abnormal bleeding is easy to spot, it is often not investigated, either because of a lack of awareness that it could be a symptom, it is seen as “just one of those things”, embarrassment, or fear of attending or difficulties in getting to the GP.

Dr Sue Ward, vice president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, called for more “open conversations” amongst people about women’s health, adding that it could be life-changing.

Dr Ward went on to say “This needs to start in school and continue throughout a woman’s life. Ultimately, sharing experiences and providing easy access to information about gynaecological cancers will help to save lives.”

The Eve Appeal’s chief executive Athena Lamnisos, said “There are lots of reasons for abnormal vaginal bleeding – it probably isn’t cancer, but it should be ruled out.

“It’s so worrying that women are quite literally sitting on symptoms. We want to make everyone aware of our key message and get bleeding checked.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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