Gynaecological cancer

Generally, most cases of gynaecological cancers occur in women aged 50 years and over, typically in women who are post-menopausal. 75% of vulval cancer diagnoses, for example, occur in women aged 65 and over. However, incidence rates of certain cancers in younger women have risen. Cervical cancer is more common in younger women. More than half of the cervical cancer cases in the UK each year are diagnosed in women under the age of 45. (Cancer Research UK)

The good news about common cancers in young women, such as cervical cancer, is that rates have halved since the introduction of the NHS cervical cancer screening programme and there is now a nationwide HPV inoculation programme for girls aged 12-13. (Cancer Research UK)

You may be experiencing untoward physical symptoms, which will have led you to your GP in the first instance for preliminary diagnosis. These could include:

• unusual pelvic mass or growth
• post-menopausal bleeding
• unexpected bleeding
• ulcer or lump found on vulva

Through examination, your GP may choose to refer you to see a specialist consultant gynaecologist. Whether you are medically insured or you wish to self-fund, you can request to be referred privately to Spire Murrayfield and Shawfair Park Hospital in Edinburgh.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are all treatment options for gynaecological cancers, and your specialist consultant will identify the best approach to suit your individual clinical needs.

When your GP refers you to Spire Murrayfield Hospital you may in the first instance be seen by a consultant gynaecologist. If they decide that further investigation may be required, you may then be referred on to a consultant gynaecology oncology specialist or to our One Stop Gynaecology Clinic. Our One Stop Gynaecological Clinic is designed to diagnose the symptoms of gynaecological disease as soon as possible. The clinic is run by Dr Cameron Martin and Dr Graeme Walker, both consultant gynaecological oncology specialists. Together, they lead a multi-disciplinary team, which includes a specialist gynaecology care nurse, medical and clinical oncologists, specialist radiologists and pathologists.

The whole team are part of the South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN) and all patients that have a gynaecological cancer diagnosis will have their case and treatment pathway discussed and planned at a multi-disciplinary team meeting.

Your symptoms

If you experience untoward physical symptoms, contact your GP in the first instance for preliminary diagnosis. Typical symptoms could include:

• undiagnosed pelvic mass
• post-menopausal bleeding
• unexpected bleeding
• ulcer or lump found on vulva

Through examination your GP may choose to refer you to see a consultant gynaecologist. Whether you are medically insured or you wish to self-fund, you can request a private referral to the gynaecological clinic at Spire Murrayfield Hospital in Edinburgh.

Our clinic

Our gynaecology clinic is designed to provide rapid access to specialist consultants who aim to diagnose the symptoms of gynaecological cancer as quickly as possible. The clinic is run by Consultant Gynaecological Oncology specialist:

• Dr Cameron Martin

Dr Martin is part of a multi-disciplinary team, and join colleagues from nursing, oncology, pathology and counselling in providing this service. The whole team is part of the South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN) and all patients that have a gynaecological cancer diagnosis will have their case and treatment pathway discussed and planned at a multi-disciplinary team meeting.

Your patient journey

All patients who are referred to this clinic will benefit from fast diagnosis and speedy onward referral for further investigation, scans, test and treatment, should it be required.