Get the Facts about Gynecologic Cancer

CDC Publication 22-0098. This booklet was developed in support 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 by providing important "inside knowledge" about their bodies and health. As you read this booklet, you will learn about the different types of gynecologic cancer. These are cancers that affect the female reproductive organs. They include cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. You will find information on: Signs, symptoms, and risk factors related to each gynecologic cancer; What you can do to help prevent gynecologic cancer; What to do if you have symptoms; What to do if you think you may be at increased risk for developing a gynecologic cancer; and Questions to ask your doctor. Each year, approximately 71,500 women in the United States are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. While all women are at risk for developing gynecologic cancers, few will ever develop one. Still, it is important to know the signs because there is no way to know for sure who will get a gynecologic cancer. The information included in this booklet will help you recognize any warning signs, so you can ask your health care provider about them. These signs and symptoms often are related to something other than gynecologic cancer. But it is important for your overall health to know what is causing them.