" This September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM) and The Eve Appeal are raising awareness of all 5 gynaecological cancers; womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal.
Throughout GCAM we will be hosting #WombWednesdays through our social media channels to draw attention to womb cancer because, despite it being the fourth largest cancer killer of women and the most common gynae cancer, there is a void of information and awareness regarding this cancer.
Over 9,000 women are diagnosed every year in the UK, and yet we often hear through our Ask Eve Nurse Service that the first time women are aware of womb cancer is when they (or a family member or friend) are diagnosed. This is unacceptable.
The Eve Appeal conducted a scoping exercise into what women wanted. They wanted information that was free, confidential and specialist to gynae issues. Hence, the Ask Eve service was launched in May 2016 to provide much desired information about gynae cancers and encourage prevention and early detection.
Our Nurse Specialist and Ask Eve Team provide a specialist, straight-talking and embarrassment-free service to encourage people to access info on signs and symptoms, treatment and care, including genetic factors (e.g. BRCA) related to gynaecological cancers.
Most womb cancers begin in the womb lining, where the cells that grow are then shed each month as menstrual loss/period. The most common symptom of womb cancer is unexpected bleeding from the vagina – especially in those who have already been through the menopause. Thus, any vaginal bleeding that occurs after the menopause, heavier than normal or between periods, or vaginal discharge, whatever colour, needs to be checked.
If you have any concerns about signs and symptoms of womb cancer (or any gynae cancer), or have been diagnosed or affected by womb cancer, please contact our Ask Eve Nurse for specialist information and advice.
For GCAM and beyond, we are collaborating with other gynae cancer charities like Womb Cancer Support UK. Our aim is to provide a seamless network of services providing information and support, so that at no point in one’s cancer journey are they without someone to turn to for help.
So join us on #WombWednesday to spread awareness of womb cancer!
Ask Eve Nurse-Led Information Service
Freephone:08088020019
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AskEveNurse
Twitter: @eveappeal
Website: www.eveappeal.org.uk
Info on womb cancer: www.eveappeal.org.uk/womb
Many thanks to The Eve Appeal for this post.
xx Kaz xx