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New Reminder Service Encourages Women to Check for Signs of Vulval Cancer - Just 4% of women regularly check

18/09/2024

A leading cancer charity, The Eve Appeal, has launched a new service to remind women to check for signs of vulval cancer, as a new survey reveals that only 4% of women regularly do so. The "Self-Check First" service sends monthly text reminders, encouraging women to examine their vulva for any unusual changes, helping to detect vulval cancer early.

According to the survey, 79% of women have never checked their vulva for symptoms of cancer. By comparison, 37% of women regularly check their breasts for signs of cancer. Vulval cancer, which affects over 1,400 women in the UK each year, is still relatively unknown. The Eve Appeal hopes this new initiative will increase awareness and help women detect changes early.

Rising Cases, Lack of Awareness

Vulval cancer mostly affects older women, but the number of cases is rising in younger women too. Since the 1990s, cases in women aged 25-49 have increased by 67%, while those in women aged 50-59 have more than doubled.

Fewer than 1 in 3 adults in the UK have heard of vulval cancer. Symptoms include itching, pain, soreness, changes in the skin's appearance, and lumps. The Eve Appeal encourages women to become familiar with their bodies so they can quickly notice any changes.

At Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham, we seek to amplify the voices of women of the borough regarding reproductive and sexual health services

Our project aims to:

Assess the accessibility and quality of reproductive and sexual health services available to women in the community.

Amplify the voices and experiences of women, ensuring their concerns are heard by decision-makers.

Provide recommendations for improving reproductive health services to better meet the needs of women in Barking and Dagenham.

You can participate in the project by filling out our anonymous survey here.

 

Personal Stories and Expert Advice

Jane Joy, who has experienced vulval cancer, wishes she had checked sooner: “I had a skin condition for years but didn’t know I was at risk of vulval cancer. Self-checking could have made a difference for me, and now I remind my daughters to check regularly.”

Dr. Amir Khan, a GP and media doctor, said many women are unaware that vulval cancer is something they could develop. "Many women ignore discomfort because they don't realize vulval cancer is a risk. Regular checks could save lives."

How the New Service Works

To help women stay on top of their health, The Eve Appeal has launched the "Self-Check First" service. Women can sign up for a monthly text reminder to check their vulva for any changes. The charity also provides a guide on how to perform the self-checks.

For more information or to sign up, visit The Eve Appeal's website.

 

About The Eve Appeal

The Eve Appeal is a UK charity that raises awareness and funds research for the prevention of gynaecological cancers, including ovarian, womb, cervical, vaginal, and vulval cancers.

By encouraging more women to be aware of vulval cancer and to regularly check for signs, The Eve Appeal hopes to improve early detection and save lives.

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