Cancer of the vulva (also called vulval cancer or vulvar cancer) is one of the rarer cancers with just over 1,000 cases diagnosed in the UK each year. Around 80% of vulval cancers are diagnosed in women over 60, but the non-invasive precancerous condition vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) which is the stage before a cancer has developed, tends to be diagnosed earlier i.e. 30s - 50s.

The term vulva refers to the external sex genital organs of a woman.

Signs and symptoms of cancer of the vulva can include:

• a lasting itch
• pain or soreness
• thickened, raised, red, white or dark patches on the skin of the vulva
• an open sore or growth visible on the skin
• burning pain when you pass urine
• vaginal discharge or bleeding
• a mole on the vulva that changes shape or colour
• a lump or swelling in the vulva

All these symptoms can be caused by other more common conditions, such as infection, but if you have any of these symptoms, you should see your GP.  It is unlikely that your symptoms are caused by a serious problem but it is important to be checked out.

The HPV vaccine is arguably the greatest protection now available. It is routinely offered to girls aged between 12 and 13, and it also protects against cervical cancer. Because not all vulval cancers are caused by HPV, the vaccine will not prevent all cases, but it should help to prevent VIN and many other vulval cancers.