It’s one of the deadliest gaps in women’s health—and it has nothing to do with medicine, and everything to do with silence. Vulval ©an©er is rarely discussed, rarely screened for, and often missed until it reaches advanced stages. Not because the symptoms are invisible, but because many women feel uncomfortable talking about changes to an intimate part of the body. That quiet hesitation can delay diagnosis, turning a highly treatable condition into a life-threatening one.
Unlike breast or cervical ©an©er, vulval ©an©er has no routine screening program, largely because it is labeled “rare.” Yet it claims hundreds of lives each year in the UK alone, according to Cancer Research UK. Social taboos, embarrassment, and long-standing frustrations with being dismissed over women’s health concerns all contribute to the problem. Many women hesitate to raise symptoms such as persistent itching, pain, or visible changes, and when they do seek help, they may initially be misdiagnosed with common skin or hormonal conditions. These delays matter—especially with ©an©er.
Vulval ©an©er can affect the inner or outer lips of the vulva or the clitoral area, and while it is more common in women over 65, diagnoses among younger women are increasing. Some cases are linked to certain types of HPV or chronic skin conditions like lichen sclerosus. Early symptoms often include a lump, sore, wart-like growth, color changes, unexplained bleeding, long-lasting itching, or pain when urinating. These signs are not “normal,” and they are not something to wait out. Noticing and reporting changes early can make an enormous difference.
When detected early, treatment is often limited and highly effective, sometimes involving only the removal of a small area of affected tissue. Later diagnosis can require far more extensive surgery, underscoring why awareness is critical. The solution starts with open conversation—normalizing discussions about intimate health, trusting your instincts, and insisting on medical follow-up when something feels wrong. Breaking the silence around vulval ©an©er isn’t uncomfortable compared to the cost of ignoring it. Talking openly could quite literally save lives.