Basic Information About Gynecologic Cancers

Five main types of cancer affect a woman's reproductive organs: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. As a group, they are referred to as gynecologic cancer. (A sixth type of gynecologic cancer is the very rare fallopian tube cancer.)

In 2005 (the most recent year for which numbers are available)—

• 75,144 women were told that they had a gynecologic cancer.*
• 27,259 died from a gynecologic cancer.*

CDC is promoting awareness of gynecologic cancer through its national gynecologic cancer awareness campaign, Inside Knowledge, which is helping women get the facts about gynecologic cancer.

What Is Gynecologic Cancer?

Gynecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman's reproductive organs. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts. The five gynecologic cancers begin in different places within a woman's pelvis, which is the area below the stomach and in between the hip bones.

Each gynecologic cancer is unique, with different signs and symptoms, different risk factors (things that may increase your chance of getting a disease), and different prevention strategies. All women are at risk for gynecologic cancers, and risk increases with age. When gynecologic cancers are found early, treatment is most effective.

*Incidence counts cover approximately 96% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts.

Data source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2005 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.