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Cancer of the vulva can be diagnosed by a gynecologist or a dermatologist. Until recently, this specific skin cancer attacked women between the seventh and eighth decades of life. Unfortunately, for several years it has appeared in young women in their forties. What are the symptoms? What the diagnosis looks like and what to do to avoid it, explains Dr. Barbara Kozakiewicz, gynecologist-oncologist and lecturer at the Medical University of Warsaw.
Edyta Kolasińska-Bazan, Medonet: There is a lot of talk about breast and cervical cancer, but vulvar cancers are left out. Why?
Dr hab. Barbara Kozakiewicz, gynecologist-oncologist: It’s hard to say, maybe, among others because journalists do not want to take up this topic?
They do not want? Our conversation today contradicts this.
Unfortunately, my experiences are different. I remember it was 2 years ago – a journalist visited me and I proposed a topic – penile cancer. She pouted, “You know what the topic is?” So I wanted to talk about vulvar cancer.
Was she more interested?
She became offended. I asked her out because I didn’t want to talk about breast cancer for the hundredth time. Then I had a few more “journalists” and I also heard that these are not topics for material.
So taboo?
XNUMXst century and still taboo.
I suppose it could be because of the organs themselves: vulva, vagina, penis. Is talking about them in Poland embarrassing or embarrassing?
It is a shameful topic not only in Poland, but also in the world. I keep in touch with my friends outside of Poland and when I tell them about my classes with students, I hear: “Are you talking about it with the students ?!”
Please treat me today as if I were your student, the more so because I have very little knowledge about vulvar cancer.
As majority. Your role is to inform – write as much as possible!
So what do we know about this cancer today?
The vulva (from the clitoris to the anal sphincter) is the labia: small and large. There is a vagina behind the vulva, and vaginal cancer is another disease. Behind the vagina is the cervix. These are the three cancers!
Today we’re talking about vulvar cancer.
Which is diagnosed by gynecologists and dermatologists, because it is skin cancer, which occurs mainly (until recently) in older women – long after menopause (the seventh and eighth decade of life). For several years, however, we have been observing it in young women – menstruating in their 40s; this is the most common group of HPV patients.
So the cause is the HPV virus?
There is undoubtedly a dependency, but there are a lot of hygiene habits that influence the formation of this tumor.
What kind? Please Exchange.
For example, liquids, gels for intimate hygiene, disposable sanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons. They are also condoms – colored, flavored, made of latex; there are also gels for moisturizing the vagina. Toilet paper – colored, perfumed, soaked in, for example, chamomile, which sensitizes and dries out!
How can intimate hygiene gel be harmful?
It has a high pH like soap. They contain various chemical compounds, including compounds for washing mechanical engines, which are perfectly foaming and are carcinogenic!
Listen?!
Yeah! My students proved it with their painstaking work.
Better to wash yourself with running water?
Get better. You can also use water with vinegar (3% acidified solution), we buy it at the grocery store. Pour about 2 liters of water into a bowl and gently add a little vinegar. This little vinegar or lemon juice will be beneficial to make the pH acidic – the mushrooms won’t thrive. In the past, this is how the hygiene of newborns – girls and boys was taken care of, using 3% of the perineum and penis to clean. Boric acid. Not to mention the harmful effects of disposable diapers.
What about condoms?
They sensitize! They irritate! When I draw attention to patients with ailments, allergies in the intimate surroundings, I advise first of all to observe and eliminate the chemistry around me.
But it’s impossible not to use pads!
For several years I have been observing the harmful effects of disposable pads and sanitary napkins, especially those with a perforated foil surface – they irritate and dry the perineum area. The substances in the sanitary napkin react with the mucosa. I do not know why the Consumer Federation allows the packaging of sanitary pads, pads or tampons to contain no product composition ?! No pure pressed cotton wool or lignin will absorb the ink watering can without being saturated with the right chemicals!
And in TV commercials we are informed that it is possible!
These substances react with the mucosa! The mucosa defends itself, it becomes hyperemic and reddened. It is an invitation to infection, because every bacterium or fungus affects such a changed and defenseless mucosa. In this situation, women again reach for the so-called intimate hygiene gels, sanitary pads, pads, tampons, and the ailments worsen.
Is there a vicious circle?
The perineum, vagina, vulva, and cervix are covered with mucosa. These spots are just as sensitive to chemicals as the conjunctiva of the eyes. The mucosa by its nature should be moist, pink, and covered with a layer of mucus. Depriving it of this physiological cover exposes it to infections and drying out, which may lead to the development of cancer in the future. Sanitary towels dry on the outside, tampons on the inside. Do you know what I advise my patients?
Listen…
I advise you to put pieces of cotton on a disposable sanitary napkin (cut from a washed, used sheet, a towel or linen kitchen cloths) so that there is no direct contact of the mucosa with this killer sanitary napkin! It is worth using cotton pads (single or reusable) with a hypoallergenic certificate.
However, there are situations when a woman needs to be active during her menstrual period and a tampon helps her with this …
Of course, but this is supposed to be an incident, not a permanent habit, so not non-stop – day and night throughout your period! We haven’t talked about underwear, which also affects health – both its composition and cut.
I am asking for examples.
Even a thong in the heat! Wżynają in the bottom! When I examine a patient, I often see wounds – synthetics cut like razor blades! A tiny sanitary napkin is still glued to it. The commonality of wearing tight pants in hot weather also helps to get sick.
Cancer of the vulva, as I understand it, includes bad habits and a consequence of strong chemistry used by girls and then women over the years?
If a girl, then a woman, uses the fluid twice a day for years, she loses the physiological mucus of the vulva, and the mucus should moisturize and protect against infection! Plus, over the years: pads, tampons, condoms …
And at the age of 40, the diagnosis – vulvar cancer?
High probability. The crotch is made like an old heel.
Very vivid!
The vulva is supposed to be moist, like the conjunctiva, the inside of the cheek.
What are the symptoms of cancer of the labia? Pain?
A tumor has to develop to give pain, so there is no pain in the initial stage. Disturbing symptoms in the area of the vulva are: itching, stinging, burning, discomfort. This area is dry, milky white. There are small ulcers, which women refer to as “sores”. Sometimes it’s one morning and sometimes it’s several. It happens that women ignore these changes and only come when the morning becomes a stamp-sized “cauliflower”. They come because they cannot urinate freely – there is the opening of the urethra at the vulva.
So, is difficulty passing urine an early symptom?
This is a very advanced cancer! Before that, the disease provokes burning, itching, stinging for a long time.
This burning sensation, discomfort lasts non-stop?
No, it comes and goes.
Are there vaginal discharge?
More like dryness. Vaginal discharge (not physiological, but inflammatory!) Occurs in cervical cancer.
Vulva dryness – what are its disadvantages?
Dryness means irritation, burning, and low resistance to viruses and fungi. Younger and younger women are dry. Treatment of patients with dry vulva is both tedious and difficult.
Dlaczego?
What is needed is cooperation and consistency in the actions of the doctor-patient. It happens more than once that a patient listens, implements good changes and has positive effects (!), But … something will tempt her once and this one time she will try to wash with gel or use a new condom – we go back to the starting point immediately!
How is vulvar cancer diagnosed?
A swab is taken from the affected areas. It shows the presence of atypical (abnormal) cells, indicating the likelihood of cancer.
How to deal with vaginal dryness Use moisturizers?
Moisturizers paradoxically dry the mucosa and are an excellent sensitizer. I advise women to lubricate the perineum, e.g. to use ointments with vitamin A (Linovit A + E, Olvizone), preparations with hyaluronic acid. I recommend using a protective cream, eg Aquastop.
Is it a cream designed for newborns?
About which I found out from a patient (78 years old) who had big problems with dry vulva. Once during a visit, she confessed that she was “stealing” Aquastop from her tiny grandson (she stated that it “works wonderfully”). I checked it – excellent composition, no water, no preservatives, it is based on linseed oil, contains vit. A. I have been recommending it ever since. There are patients who grease themselves with… butter, rapeseed or coconut oil. It couldn’t be more natural. I am constantly learning about new protective measures from my patients, because women with a dry vulva are a challenge for the gynecologist.
How often do you recommend perineal lubrication?
As many times as you urinate. It is best to carry the ointment / cream in a purse, leave it at bedside, and also use it before intercourse.