False assumptions about the links between sexual promiscuity and gynaecological cancers, such as womb and ovarian cancer, are creating a stigma around the diseases that could be costing women’s lives, a charity has warned.
Lack of knowledge about causes and symptoms of gynaecological cancers is preventing women from seeking potentially life-saving medical advice and treatment, the Eve Appeal said.
The reluctance to do so was most prevalent among those aged 46 to 55, the age group most likely to ignore symptoms or think they were not serious enough to visit a GP.
About 20,000 new cases of gynaecological cancers, which include womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancers, are diagnosed each year in the UK, resulting in more than 7,600 deaths.
An online poll of 1,000 women, commissioned by the charity, suggested a quarter of women did not want to talk to their GP about gynaecological problems because they did not want to talk about their sexual history.
One in five women surveyed believed there was a link between womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancers and promiscuity, and four in 10 felt there was greater stigma around them than around other cancers.
The Eve Appeal says there is no known association between the sexually transmitted high-risk forms of human papilloma viruses (HPV) and uterine and ovarian cancers, the two most common gynaecological forms of the disease.
As to links with other cancers, the charity said HPV was so common it could be regarded as a normal consequence of sexual activity, even among women who had just one partner.
Dr Adeola Olaitan, consultant gynaecological oncologist at University College hospital, London, said it was shocking so many women were not seeking help for fear of being judged on their sexual behaviour.
“It is a proven fact that early diagnosis of women’s cancers can save lives, so it’s important we all start having honest conversations about the signs and symptoms of these diseases in order to break down the social taboos and any embarrassment that currently exist,” she said.
The reluctance to seek medical help for some common symptoms of gynaecological cancers was most evident among women between 46 and 55, with one in five not seeking help for symptoms such as changes to periods, persistent bloating or pelvic discomfort because they believed they were normal for their age.
Postmenopausal bleeding is a key symptom of womb cancer, which women in this age group are at high risk of developing.
Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, said it was critical that “women open up and share their experiences and concerns around gynaecological health so that we can begin to address the misconceptions around the causes and symptoms of women’s cancers that have been highlighted in this survey.”
