British Women Ignorant Of Vagina

Half of young women are unable to properly label a vagina on a medical diagramme, while 65 percent admitted having a problem simply using the words "vagina" or "vulva", a British survey has revealed.

As Gynaecological cancer awareness month kicks off, research by the Eve Appeal, a cancer charity, unearths worrying information about young women's awareness of their own bodies and the potential warning signs of the five cancers that can affect the womb, ovaries, vulva, vagina, and cervix.

Only half of the 1,000 women surveyed, aged 26 to 35, were able to label the vagina accurately. But women aged between 66 and 75 scored far better; eight in 10 were able to able ovaries and nine in 10 could label the womb, the Independent reported.

Of the youngest women surveyed, one in five aged between 16 and 26 were unable to name a single correct symptom of any of the five gynaecological cancers, while nearly 40 percent of this age group said they used code words to discuss any issues, saying "lady parts" or "women's bits" instead of using the term vagina.

Feeling embarrassment around gynaecological issues have also been found to hinder women from seeking help with doctors.

Over one in 10 women aged 16 to 35 said they find it difficult to discuss gynaecological issues with their general physician (GP). Nearly a third said they had completely avoided visiting a doctor after having had faced embarrassed on some occasion.

Helena Morrissey, chairman of the Eve Appeal cancer charity, said: "At the Eve Appeal we know how important it is to promote straight talking about the signs and symptoms of gynaecological cancers to women of all ages, and this survey has highlighted just how far we still have to go to make this happen.

"These cancers have some of the worst outcomes for women, with a 40 percent mortality rate.

"Understanding the symptoms will save lives, which is why we are urging women this Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month to talk more openly about these life-saving issues."