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Reading 3 min.
in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
In a testimony relayed by Glamor UK magazine, a woman talks about a rare symptom on her private parts which pushed her to see her doctor. A good decision since she discovered she was suffering from vulvar cancer, which has since been treated. What are the signs to know? Dr Gérald Kierzek takes stock with us.
Paying attention to even the smallest changes in your body can sometimes save your life. In any case, this is the message transmitted by Louise, a 43-year-old Londoner now in the Glamor UK. This yoga teacher tells how a small roughness on her private parts made her wonder. It turned out to be vulvar cancer.
A spot appearing on the vulva
Louise is 27 years old, when she gradually begins to feel uncomfortable: “I was 27, my son was about nine months old and I noticed a spot on his vulva. I was uncomfortable in my jeans and I didn’t want to sleep with my husband because of that because I didn’t want him to see her, but at the same time I was telling myself: she’s just a task, it will disappear.
But when this stain persists and begins to darken, Louise adopts the right behavior: she consults her doctor. A biopsy is scheduled and the verdict is in: vulvar cancer.
Prompt treatment offers a good prognosis
Louise is then taken care of quickly: “I had surgery and they ended up removing my small lips inner left of the vagina. After removing that entire area, they still weren’t sure if they had removed all traces of the removed cancer.” The medical team then removed the lymph nodes in his groin and discovered that the cancer was ruled out. “The good news is that there was no cancer in that area. I was very lucky: I didn’t need chemotherapy nor of radiotherapy“.
The aftermath was not easy for the young woman: some complications such as an infection and a return of the cancer 15 years later, taken care of and operated on straight away. But Louise is resolutely positive today.
“You can still have sex. You can still feel – not the same, but that’s OK. I haven’t had a lot of harsh treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation, but this has made me helped me think: I’m going to get through this and everything will be fine again.”
Vulvar cancer: symptoms to know
Consulted on the subject, Dr. Gérald Kerzek, medical director of Doctissimo, recalls that vulvar cancer (the vulva is the part of the genitals of the female reproductive system that can be seen outside the body) is a malignant tumor that develops from female genital tissues.
It can be expressed by several signs:
- Of the itching persistent: they may be associated with red or white patches on the vulva;
- Pain and tenderness: burning, tingling or pain that persists;
- Abnormal bleeding: especially during sexual intercourse or urination.
- A wart-like massa growth on the vulva.
- A change in skin color : redness, thickening or ulcer…
In any case, the appearance of a new appearance or sensation should prompt you to make an appointment.
“Once again, it is better to consult for nothing with any samples taken (biopsy). Early diagnosis is essential for prognosis!”
Advice doubled by Louise herself in her testimony.
“You have nothing to lose by going to get it checked. Worst case scenario, it’s a waste of half an hour. Don’t be embarrassed, and even if you are, don’t let it stop you from going – this feeling is fleeting and your health is more important. Treat yourself to a vulvar investigation, then treat yourself to coffee and cake afterwards.
Slide: What sexuality during and after female cancer?