Understanding women’s cancer. It’s the first step to conquering women’s cancer.

Gynecologic cancers (sometimes called women’s cancers) are cancers that begin in the female reproductive organs. The different types of cancers are named for the area they’re found within the reproductive organs. Each has different signs, symptoms and risk factors.

All women have some risk of developing one of these cancers. However, hereditary factors, lifestyle choices and other factors can increase that risk. Understanding your personal risk factor is the best tool for detecting cancer - or avoiding it altogether.

Below, you’ll find a brief overview of the common types of gynecologic cancer.  Or, the same cancer overviews can be found by clicking on the appropriate areas of the diagram to the right. To access a much larger database of information on any of these gynecologic cancers, simply click on the link to the appropriate Resource Center.

- Cervical Cancer - The cervix is found in the lower, narrow end of the uterus. It connects the upper part of the uterus to the vagina.
Visit our Cervical Cancer Resource Center.

- Uterine Cancer - The uterus, or womb, is the pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. The pelvis is located below your stomach and in between your hipbones.
Visit our Uterine Cancer Resource Center.

- Ovarian Cancer - This cancer starts in the ovaries, which are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Ovaries make female hormones and produce eggs. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer, yet when discovered in its early stages, treatment is very effective.
Visit our Ovarian Cancer Resource Center.

- Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer - The vagina (or birth canal) is the channel located between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of your body.
Vulvar cancer starts in the vulva, which is the outer part of the female genital organs. This cancer often occurs on the inner edges of the two folds of skin called the labia. When vaginal and vulvar cancers are found early, treatment often leads to complete recovery.   Last Updated on Friday, 22 June 2012 01:09