The Symptoms We Dismiss: What Every Woman Should Know About Gynecologic Cancers

Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month shines a light on a group of cancers that affect millions of women and people assigned female at birth worldwide. Despite their impact, many gynecologic cancers remain under-discussed, underfunded, and misunderstood.

Too often, symptoms are dismissed as normal hormonal changes, digestive issues, aging, stress, or the inevitable discomforts of being a woman. As a result, many people delay seeking care, and healthcare providers may overlook warning signs until disease has progressed.

At SHE+, we believe knowledge is power. Understanding gynecologic cancers, recognizing symptoms, and advocating for your health are critical steps toward earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.

What Are Gynecologic Cancers?

Gynecologic cancers are cancers that begin in the reproductive organs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the five main types include:

• Ovarian cancer

• Cervical cancer

• Uterine (endometrial) cancer

• Vulvar cancer

• Vaginal cancer

Each cancer has unique risk factors, symptoms, and screening recommendations, but all can significantly affect reproductive, sexual, and overall health (CDC, 2024).

In the United States, approximately 116,000 women are diagnosed with gynecologic cancer each year, and more than 34,000 die from these diseases annually (CDC, 2024).

Ovarian Cancer: The Most Difficult to Detect

Among gynecologic cancers, ovarian cancer is often referred to as a "silent disease." However, experts now recognize that ovarian cancer frequently causes symptoms—they are simply easy to overlook or misattribute.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 20,890 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2025, and about 12,730 will die from the disease (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2025). 

Because there is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer in average-risk individuals, awareness of symptoms is especially important.

Common Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Symptoms that occur frequently, persistently, or represent a noticeable change from normal may warrant medical evaluation:

• Persistent bloating

• Pelvic or abdominal pain

• Feeling full quickly when eating

• Difficulty eating

• Increased urinary urgency or frequency

• Unexplained fatigue

• Changes in bowel habits

• Back pain

• Pain during sex

• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain (ACS, 2025)

Many women report experiencing these symptoms for months before diagnosis.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer: The Most Common Gynecologic Cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States.

The ACS estimates approximately 69,120 new cases of uterine cancer will be diagnosed in 2025 (ACS, 2025).

One encouraging fact is that endometrial cancer often produces noticeable symptoms early in the disease process.

Warning Signs

• Bleeding after menopause

• Irregular bleeding between periods

• Heavy menstrual bleeding

• Pelvic pain or pressure

• Unusual vaginal discharge

Any postmenopausal bleeding should be evaluated by a healthcare provider, regardless of how minor it seems (National Cancer Institute, 2024).

Cervical Cancer: A Success Story in Prevention

Unlike most other gynecologic cancers, cervical cancer can often be prevented through screening and vaccination.

Persistent infection with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) causes nearly all cervical cancers (World Health Organization [WHO], 2025).

Thanks to Pap testing, HPV testing, and HPV vaccination, cervical cancer rates have declined significantly in many countries.

However, cervical cancer remains a major global health concern. According to the WHO, approximately 660,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide in 2022, and about 350,000 died from the disease (WHO, 2025).

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Bleeding after sex

• Bleeding after menopause

• Pelvic pain

• Pain during intercourse

• Unusual vaginal discharge

Regular screening remains one of the most effective tools for early detection.

Sexual Health and Gynecologic Cancer

Gynecologic cancers affect more than reproductive organs—they can profoundly affect sexual health, body image, relationships, and emotional well-being.

Patients may experience:

• Pain during intercourse

• Vaginal dryness

• Changes in libido

• Fertility concerns

• Surgical menopause

• Changes in self-image

• Anxiety and depression related to diagnosis and treatment

Yet discussions about sexual health are often absent from cancer care.

Research consistently shows that many patients want information about intimacy, sexual function, and quality of life after treatment but do not receive adequate counseling from healthcare providers (American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2023).

Sexual health is healthcare. Conversations about cancer treatment should include conversations about intimacy, pleasure, fertility, and long-term quality of life.

When Women's Symptoms Are Dismissed

One of the most important themes during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month is the importance of listening to patients.

Women frequently report having symptoms minimized or attributed to stress, weight changes, menopause, digestive issues, anxiety, or hormonal fluctuations.

Research has documented gender disparities in healthcare that can contribute to delayed diagnosis and treatment across numerous medical conditions (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2024).

Trusting your instincts matters. If something feels different, persists, worsens, or interferes with your daily life, it deserves attention.

What You Can Do

While not all gynecologic cancers are preventable, there are important steps individuals can take:

• Stay up to date on Pap and HPV screening recommendations.

• Consider HPV vaccination if eligible.

• Track menstrual changes and unusual symptoms.

• Seek evaluation for persistent bloating, pelvic pain, or abnormal bleeding.

• Know your family history of cancer.

• Ask questions and advocate for yourself during healthcare visits.

• Seek second opinions when concerns are dismissed.

Knowledge Saves Lives

Gynecologic cancers do not always announce themselves dramatically. Often, they appear through symptoms that seem minor, vague, or easy to explain away. That is why awareness matters.

This Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, let's challenge the culture that teaches women to ignore pain, normalize discomfort, or minimize symptoms. Let's encourage earlier conversations, better education, and greater investment in research and care.

At SHE+, we believe every woman deserves access to information, screening, quality healthcare, and the confidence to trust her body.

Because when it comes to gynecologic cancers, listening to symptoms and listening to women can save lives.

References

American Cancer Society. (2025). Cancer facts & figures 2025.

American Cancer Society. (2025). Ovarian cancer: Key statistics.

American Society of Clinical Oncology. (2023). Sexual health concerns in cancer survivorship.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Gynecologic cancers. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2024). Women's health research and healthcare disparities.

National Cancer Institute. (2024). Endometrial cancer prevention and screening.

World Health Organization. (2025). Cervical cancer fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer