Reviewed by:
Tarnya Martin, cancer nurse, BA (Nursing) & Grad. Dip. Child & Adol. grief counselling
The vulva is part of the female reproductive system.
Vulval cancer is cancer that begins in cells in the vulva (the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips, and the opening to the vagina).
Vulval cancer is not common. Around 80 women are diagnosed with cancer of the vulva each year in Victoria.
It is not known what causes vulval cancer. Some things put people at higher risk, including a previous infection with human papilloma virus and certain conditions that affect the vulva, including vulval intraepithelial neoplasia and lichen sclerosis.
Symptoms can include skin changes, such as a mole, ulceration, redness, a lump, discharge, itching, pain or soreness in the vulva. Pain when passing urine is another symptom.
See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. They may be due to another cause, but it is best to have a doctor check them.
Click here for additional Cancer Council information on vulval cancer or visit www.macmillan.org.uk.
