Vaginal cancer

Many vaginal cancers do not cause any symptoms in the early stages. The symptoms of vaginal cancer include:

• Vaginal bleeding, often after sexual intercourse
• Abnormal vaginal discharge that may smell or be blood stained
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• A lump or swelling
• An itch in the vagina that won’t go away
• Frequency and discomfort when passing urine
• Pain in the back passage (rectum)

All these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer, but it’s important to go to the GP and get any unusual changes checked out. 

Symptoms of advanced vaginal cancer

• A feeling of been unable to fully empty your bowels
• Swelling in one or both legs
• General pelvic pain that is constant and won’t go away
• Constipation

Testing for cancer when you have no symptoms is called screening. There is no vaginal cancer screening programme in Ireland at present. 

If you are concerned about vaginal cancer, talk to your GP.