Vulval cancer

Often vulval cancer does not cause any early symptoms. The most common symptoms are:

• Itching, burning and soreness of the vulva that doesn’t go away.
• A wart-like growth on the skin of the vulva
• A lump or a swelling of your vulva  
• Pain in the vulval area
• Thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the vulva
• Bleeding or a blood-stained vaginal discharge not related to your menstrual cycle
• Burning pain on passing urine or during sexual intercourse
• A mole of the vulva that has changes in colour or shape

Testing for vulval cancer when you have no symptoms is called screening. There is no national vulval cancer screening programme in Ireland at present, but the nurse will look at your vulva for any abnormal changes during a cervical check.

You can also check your own vulva regularly using a mirror. It is important to understand what your vulva normally looks like so you will know if anything changes.