World Gynaecologic Oncology Day - 20th September'2025

Table of Contents

• When is World Gynecologic Oncology Day?
• What are Gynecologic Cancers?
• Importance of Awareness for Gynecologic Cancers
• What are the Most Common Symptoms?
• How Can Gynecologic Cancers Be Prevented or Detected Early?
• What Treatment Options are Available for Gynecologic Cancer?
• How Can You Get Involved in Raising Awareness?
• Why Choose HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad, for Gynecological Cancer Treatment?
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

When is World Gynecologic Oncology Day Observed?

World Gynecologic Oncology Day (World GO Day) is observed on September 20 every year. It helps to raise awareness about various gynecological cancers, such as uterine, ovarian, vaginal, cervical, and vulvar cancers.

Screening, early detection, personalized treatment, and preventive measures are the critical aspects that are shed light on during World Gynecologic Oncology Day observance.

Healthcare professionals also play an important role in sharing knowledge about gynecological cancers and encouraging routine screenings. Various activities are planned on the World Gynecologic Oncology Day to improve community engagement and reduce stigma surrounding the disease.

Know more about other cancer awareness observances in September: Cancer Awareness Month September 2024: Significance, Symptoms & Treatments

What are Gynecologic Cancers?

Gynecologic cancers, or gynecological cancers, refer to the cancers that arise from various organs of the female reproductive system, such as the uterus, cervix, vagina, ovaries, and vulva.

Common symptoms of gynecologic cancers are pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or changes in bowel or urinary habits.

Several factors, such as family history, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, obesity, age, and hormonal alterations, increase the risk of gynecological cancers. Routine screening ensures early diagnosis and timely treatment.

Importance of Awareness for Gynecologic Cancers

Some of the advantages of raising awareness about gynecologic cancers during World GO Day include:

• Understanding Gynecologic Cancers: Becoming aware of gynecologic cancers allows women to understand the disease and encourages regular health checkups.
• Recognizing Early Warning Signs: Disease awareness helps women detect early warning signs. It ensures early diagnosis and treatment.
• Learning the Role of Screenings and Prevention: Gynecologic oncology awareness helps women learn about screening tests, such as HPV testing and Pap smears, which play a crucial role in early detection.
• Breaking Stigma and Encouraging Dialogue: Raising awareness about the gynecological cancers reduces taboos around cancer and encourages women to prioritize gynecological health.
• Advancing Research and Treatment Access: Increased awareness about gynecological cancers advocates for enhanced research, innovative treatments, and healthcare access to a large number of patients.
• Building Supportive Communities: Awareness helps in building social communities that help women and their family members cope with the disease.

What are the Most Common Symptoms of Gynecologic Cancers?

Some of the most common symptoms of gynecological cancers are:

• Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding: Bleeding after intercourse, between periods, or postmenopausal bleeding may suggest gynecological cancers.
• Pelvic Pain or Pressure: Persistent pressure, pain, or discomfort in the pelvis is also a sign of gynecological cancers.
• Bloating and Abdominal Changes: Abdominal swelling or frequent bloating may suggest gynecological cancers.
• Changes in Urination or Bowel Habits: Patients with gynecological cancers may also experience changes in their bowel or urination habits, such as difficulty urinating, diarrhea, or constipation.
• Unexplained Weight Loss or Fatigue: Advanced gynecological cancers may also cause loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, or persistent tiredness.
• Skin or Tissue Changes: Soreness, itching, burning sensation, or change in color in the vulvar region indicates vulvar cancer.

How Can Gynecologic Cancers Be Prevented or Detected Early?

Prevention or early detection of gynecological cancers can be achieved through:

• Regular Screenings: Opting for regular screening with tests, such as HPV testing and Pap smear tests, is important for early disease detection.
• HPV Vaccination: Getting HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical and other gynecological cancers.
• Awareness of Symptoms: Identifying early warning signs, such as pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or bloating, ensures early diagnosis and timely treatment.
• Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Several lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking, maintaining an optimal weight, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet, can reduce the risk of gynecological cancers.
• Genetic Counseling and Testing: Women with a family history of uterine or ovarian cancer may be provided with genetic counseling and testing for BRCA mutations.

What Treatment Options are Available for Gynecologic Cancer?

Gynecologic cancers are best managed with personalized care, which may or may not include more than one treatment approach. Different treatment options available for gynecological cancers include:

• Surgery: Gynecologic oncology surgery is generally considered the most important part for gynecological cancers. Surgery involves the removal of the malignant tissues or organs. It involves oophorectomy, hysterectomy, or lymph node removal. Advanced treatments for gynecological cancers include HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy), PIPAC (Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy), and cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer, with or without HIPEC, as treatments for peritoneal carcinomatosis that deliver chemotherapy directly to the abdominal cavity.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays that shrink the tumor by destroying malignant cells. Radiation therapy is generally used to treat uterine, cervical, or vaginal cancers.
• Chemotherapy: It involves delivering the drugs that stop or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be administered before or after surgery or may be combined with radiotherapy.
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy targets the vital processes in the malignant cells that assist their proliferation and spread; this way, targeted therapy controls cancer growth.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs enhance the immune system to fight against cancer cells.
• Palliative and Supportive Care: Apart from the curative therapy, palliative and supportive care is also provided to patients with advanced gynecological cancers. This approach focuses on controlling symptoms and improving the quality of life.

How Can You Get Involved in Raising Awareness?

There are several ways through which you can get involved in raising awareness. You may join the walks or seminars to improve your understanding. You may also share the information on the community platforms or social media.

You can also raise funds to support research and patient care programs. Encourage the women in your family and female friends to undergo regular screening for gynecological cancers.

You may also provide emotional support to the patients and survivors, thereby reducing the stigma and encouraging open discussions.

Why Choose HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad, for Gynecological Cancer Treatment?

HCG Aastha Cancer Centre is a dedicated, comprehensive cancer centre in Ahmedabad, offering comprehensive cancer care services. The hospital offers all major services, including screening, diagnostics, treatment, follow-up, psycho-oncology counseling, supportive care, and more.

The following are key reasons why you should choose HCG Aastha for gynecological cancer treatment:

• Experienced Specialists: As a leading cancer hospital in Ahmedabad, HCG Aastha has some of the best gynecologic oncologists and surgeons to improve the outcomes.
• Advanced Treatment Technology: The hospital has advanced, cutting-edge technologies, such as precision radiation therapy with TrueBeam, robotic surgery with da Vinci Xi, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
• Comprehensive Care Approach: Patients with gynecological cancers receive comprehensive care at the HCG Aastha. The care provided also includes nutritional support, counseling, and emotional support.
• Patient-Centered Care: The expert team at the center develops a treatment plan based on the type and stage of gynecological cancer.

Conclusion

Every year, 20 September is observed as World Gynecological Oncology Day. Gynecological cancers are the cancers that develop in the organs of the female reproductive system. These cancers involve vaginal, vulvar, ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers. Some of the common symptoms include pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss, and abnormal bleeding. You may participate in the World Gynecology Oncology Day by raising awareness, volunteering to raise funds, and providing emotional support to those affected by gynecological cancers.