Vulva Cancer

What is vulval cancer?

Cancer of the vulva (also called vulvar cancer or vulval cancer) is one of the rarer cancers. Around 1,350 cases are diagnosed in the UK each year.

Around 80% of vulval cancers are diagnosed in women over 60, but anyone with a vulva can be diagnosed with vulval cancer at any age. We are seeing more women being diagnosed at younger ages.

What are the symptoms for vulval cancer?

The signs and symptoms of vulval cancer aren’t always obvious. The most common changes to look out for are:

• A lasting vulval itch
• Pain or soreness
• Thickened, raised, red, lighter or darker patches on the skin of the vulva
• An open sore or growth visible on the skin
• A mole on the vulva that changes shape or colour
• A lump or swelling on the vulva
• Bleeding or a blood stained discharge in between periods or after the menopause (when you haven’t had a period for 12 months or more).