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The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.

What are the symptoms of vulval cancer?

Symptoms of vulvar cancer include lumps, itching, skin changes, bleeding, and pain, and women should consult their GP if they experience these.

Symptoms of vulvar cancer include: 

  • a lump on the vulva 
  • itching of the vulva that does not go away 
  • changes in the skin of the vulva, including colour changes or growths that look like a wart or ulcer 
  • bleeding that is not related to menstruation 
  • pain or tenderness in the vulvar area. 
  • Women should take such symptoms seriously and not assume that all itching is thrush. Talk to your GP if you are concerned.  

Screening 

Screening is the use of tests to detect a disease in people who have no symptoms.  

There is no specific vulvar cancer screening program. 

However, the cervical screening test is a swab test that looks for signs of HPV infection in your cervix, which may develop into cervical cancer. HPV infection is also a cause of vulvar cancer.  

If you have a positive cervical screening test result, you might see a gynaecologist, who will look for signs of other types of gynaecological cancers, not just cervical cancer. 

All women who have ever had sex should have a cervical screening test every 5 years from the ages of 25 to 74 years. The cervical screening test replaced the Pap smear. 

Cancer Australia

Cancer Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected by cancer, and their families and carers. Cancer Australia aims to reduce the impact of cancer, address disparities and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer by leading and coordinating national, evidence-based interventions across the continuum of care.

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