Campaign to increase awareness of the five gynaecological cancers launched

By Paloma Lacy

The month of May sees the launch of The Eve Appeal’s Get Lippy Campaign, which aims to increase awareness of the five gynaecological cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. 

There are 22,050 new cases every year.

Research from The Eve Appeal has found that one in six women are not aware of any types of gynaecological cancer. 

Only three per cent of women think they can name all five types of gynaecological cancer and nearly a third of women in the workplace were uncomfortable talking to their boss about cervical screening.

“We need everyone to start talking openly and without embarrassment about gynae health, so that everyone knows that there are 5 gynae cancers, their signs and symptoms, and feels comfortable talking about them,” said a spokesman for The Eve Appeal.

One South London woman is firmly behind the campaign as an ambassador, following her own brush with cancer. 

V, as she wishes to be known, was diagnosed with cervical cancer during lockdown, aged 31. 

She said: “Had I not talked openly about what I was experiencing with my family and GP, I would not have got an early diagnosis and subsequent all clear.

“There have been reports that people with cervical cancer experience delays in diagnosis because of a failure to recognise symptoms, and this has been exacerbated due to the pandemic. 

“Talking can quite literally save your life.”

For more information: www.eveappeal.org.uk

Pictured top: From left, Dr Anita Mitra, gynaecologist, ‘aka the Gynae Geek, Karen Hobbs, Eve Appeal Ambassador and stand-up comedian, Dilly Carter, womb cancer survivor, BBC’s Sort Your Life Out organiser, Dr Aziza Sesay, GP and women’s health specialist, Cherry Healey, TV presenter and health champion (Picture: Philippa Sian photography)