Nearly half of British women cannot identify the vagina Nearly half of British women cannot identify the vagina, according to new statistics from a cancer charity that reveals alarmingly […]

Nearly half of British women cannot identify the vagina, according to new statistics from a cancer charity that reveals alarmingly poor knowledge among women of their gynaecological anatomy.

“How can we expect women to know what to look out for in terms of unexpected changes in their vagina or vulva or to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a gynaecological cancer, if they’re not body aware?” Tracie Miles, Gynaecological Cancer Information Nurse The i newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

When shown a medical drawing of the female reproductive system, less than one third could correctly label six different parts – 44 per cent could not identify the vagina and 60 per cent the vulva. Nearly half could not locate the cervix.

One in seven women were unable to name a single gynaecological cancer – womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal – despite more than 21,000 new cases in the UK every year.

The over 65s had the least knowledge – less than one in four could correctly label the female anatomy, which the charity said is a concern as this age group is the most at risk of gynaecological cancer.

Only 30 per cent of 1,000 women across the UK surveyed by The Eve Appeal, the leading gynaecological cancer charity, could correctly label the female anatomy. By contrast, when asked to label the male anatomy seven out of 10 women could correctly identify the foreskin, penis and testes.

Better knowledge ‘will help save lives’

The Eve Appeal has revealed the figures today to coincide with the start of Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month. The charity is calling on women to get to know their bodies better, suggesting better knowledge will help save lives.

Tracie Miles, The Eve Appeal’s Specialist Gynaecological Cancer Information Nurse, said: “The lack of basic knowledge about the female body or conversations around how the female anatomy works, is extremely worrying – how can we expect women to know what to look out for in terms of unexpected changes in their vagina or vulva or to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a gynaecological cancer, if they’re not body aware?

“It is a proven fact that early diagnosis of women’s cancers can save lives, therefore it really is never too early to start educating young girls about their bodies by having frank, honest conversations with them, rather than hiding behind embarrassment or taboo”.

“[Women] need to be able to talk openly about periods, irregular bleeding and any changes that they notice to their bodies.” Athena Lamnisos, CEO, The Eve Appeal

Half a million women worldwide will die this year from gynaecological cancers – just 28,000 fewer than breast cancer. In the UK, this equates to 21 women every day.

Gynaecological cancer remains an under-funded and under-profiled cause, despite being the second biggest cancer killer of women in the UK.

Athena Lamnisos, CEO of The Eve Appeal said body knowledge is “absolutely vital”.

She said: “We’re imploring women to understand and be aware of what to listen out for. They need to know what’s normal for them. They need to be able to talk openly about periods, irregular bleeding and any changes that they notice to their bodies.”