Today is World GO Day- Gynaecological Cancer Awareness

World GO Day: Gynaecological Cancer Awareness in Ireland

World Gynecologic Oncology Day takes place every year on 20 September, raising awareness of the five main gynaecological cancers.

Today, World Gynecologic Oncology Day (#WorldGODay) is observed globally to raise awareness of the five gynaecological cancers that affect women every day (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology, 2024). It's a day to go purple, go for checkups, and - most importantly - go for knowledge.

I'm proud to share that I had the incredible opportunity to support the development of thisIsGo.ie - an Irish resource dedicated to this very cause.

What is thisIsGo.ie?

thisIsGo.ie is a free, easy-to-use Irish resource that helps women who have been diagnosed with a gynecological cancer. You create your profile and it has built in resources to help support, educate and de-code your journey as you go through treatment and support afterwords

It also has access for healthcare professional to create a profile to supply helpful education and resources.

It was developed with one clear goal: to make sure that women in Ireland have access to relevant helpful education and support during and after their diagnosis and treatment

The 5 Gynaecological Cancers: What Every Woman Should Know

Gynaecological cancer is a disease in which cells in a woman's reproductive organs grow out of control (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).

There are five main types: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Each is different — different location, different symptoms, different risks — which is exactly why awareness matters so much.

1. Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. Ireland has an active cervical screening programme, CervicalCheck, which plays a vital role in early detection (Health Service Executive, 2023). HPV vaccination is also a key preventive tool (Health Service Executive, 2023).

Signs to watch for:

• Irregular vaginal bleeding — between periods, after sex, or after menopause (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Unusual vaginal discharge (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Pelvic pain (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

2. Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is often called the "silent cancer" because its symptoms can be vague and easy to dismiss — yet early detection makes a significant difference in outcomes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).

Signs to watch for:

• Bloating or a feeling of increased abdominal size (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)

• Pelvic or abdominal pain or pressure (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Needing to urinate more urgently or frequently (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Feeling full quickly or difficulty eating (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Unexplained back pain (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

3. Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer

Uterine cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding — which means it often presents early enough to treat effectively.

Signs to watch for:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, particularly after menopause (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)

• Unusual vaginal discharge (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Pelvic pain or pressure (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

> Any post-menopausal bleeding should always be reported to your GP promptly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).

4. Vaginal Cancer

Vaginal cancer is less common but no less important to know about (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).

Signs to watch for:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• A lump or growth felt in or around the vagina (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Pain during urination or changes in bowel habits (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

5. Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar cancer forms in the external female genitalia and can sometimes be mistaken for a skin condition, which is why awareness is so important (Cancer Research UK, 2023).

Signs to watch for:

• Persistent itching, burning, or soreness (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Changes in skin colour or texture in the vulval area (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• A lump, wart-like growth, or open sore (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

• Unusual bleeding unrelated to periods (Cancer Research UK, 2023)

When Should You Act?

If you notice any symptom that is new, unusual for you, or persists, see your GP (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023).

You know your body best. Trust yourself.

Early diagnosis genuinely changes outcomes. Don't wait, don't wonder — #GoForCheckup (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology, 2024).

A Final Word

Supporting thisIsGo.ie has been such a meaningful parts of my work as a Pelvic Health physiotherapist. Women's health is at the core of what I do, and having the chance to contribute to a resource that help support women is so worthwhile.

Today, on #WorldGODay, wear your purple, share this post, and visit thisIsGo.ie.

Go for knowledge. Go for checkups. Go for yourself.

References

Cancer Research UK (2023) Signs and symptoms of gynaecological cancers. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org (Accessed: 17 September 2026).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023) Gynecologic cancers. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic (Accessed: 17 September 2026).

European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (2024) World Gynecologic Oncology Day (#WorldGODay). Available at: https://www.esgo.org (Accessed: 17 September 2026).

Health Service Executive (2023) CervicalCheck: The National Cervical Screening Programme. Available at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/c/cervicalcheck (Accessed: 17 September 2026).