Actions Women Can Take to Lower the Risk of Gynecologic Cancers

9/15/2020, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness month, and this reminds women that good gynecologic health is important. Gynecologic cancers include five main types of cancer that affect a woman’s reproductive organs: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. All women are at risk for gynecologic cancers, and the risk increases as women get older. Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Actions such as learning the symptoms, knowing what's normal for you, getting the HPV vaccine, and getting screened regularly can help lower your risk.
 
Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. Most uterine cancers are found in women who are going through or who have gone through menopause, which is when a woman’s menstrual periods stop. If you notice symptoms like unusual bleeding and pain in the pelvis that lasts for two weeks or longer, see a doctor. When gynecologic cancers are found early, treatment is most effective. Get the facts about gynecologic cancers from CDC’s Inside Knowledge campaign.