Cancer Research UK main site

Scared I have Vulval Cancer

JayE2019
Offline

Hi, I'm completely new to using a forum so apologies if I come across a bit rambley!

Just short of 12 months ago I started with a itch of the vulva which has continued until now. Thursh and any form of infection have been ruled out, and I have been prescribed a number of different strength steroids which haven't made a difference. I was referred to gynae who at the time said something was irritating it, but there was nothing to worry about. I was prescribed Estriol cream however this unfortunately made no difference either. I've tried antihistemines, and also trying to understand if it's a product (soap, washing tablets etc) but anything I try doesn't seem to working. What started as a small itch is now a constant itch that I find myself having to use vagisil lidocane cream every day just so I can sit and work without being really uncomfortable, and get some relief. In recent weeks the left of my vulva has started to swell. I went back to my GP and they have re-referred me in. I am due a biposy in the coming weeks and I'm scared and yet willing it to come around quickly in equal measure. With this having gone on for so long and with everything I've tried not working, I feel like everything else else has been ruled out and it could only possibly be vulval cancer / VIN or abnormal cells. After months of trelling myself it will be something other than cancer, I've got to the point where, having ruled out a lot of the usual things which lead to vulval itching, I'm convineced it must be that or certainly something similar. I have a toddler, and every time I look at her I feel sick at the thought that I could be/get really poorly and never get the chance to see her grow up. She is my absolute world and I am terrified at the thought of not being with her as she grows up. My husband has been incredibly supportive, but I'm worried that he's worrying about me at the same time as well. I understand it is a very rare type of cancer, and I'm 34 so relatively young for something like this, but my head is in a spin and I'm feeling really frightened. I guess I was hoping someone out there could assure me I'm not alone or share some warmth whilst I feel like this, particularly during an already tough time with lockdown etc. Any words of support would be greatly welcomed and thanks for taking the time to read this.

  • Offline in reply to BlueSkies21

    Hello! So my sample for yeast infection came back negative, so that confirms that I may have caught a yeast infection whilst already trying to soothe the itching with cool wipes and a cold wet flannel! I am now starting to think I have dermatitis/excema. Only because I purchased a seaweed shampoo bar end of Dec but didn't start using it until a few weeks later, however I cannot remember if I was itching before I started using that or now. However I'm now getting dry excema patches behind my ear, back of my kneck and on my bikini line. The other areas look dry but my vulva doesn't, but unless I completely shave the hairs off it's hard to tell! The sudocrem antiseptic cream does kind of make the skin look a bit flaky but that could be from me scratching. My itching is literally only the labia majora, mainly at the top part above my clitoris area. Nothing inside the lips/vulval. I have just purchased a Balance active intimate soothing daily moisturiser, to see if that helps. I'm now going to make sure I wash my hair over the bath and see if that improves any of my dry skin issues.

    JayE2019 I think you mentioned they were checking for lack of eustrogen, I'm considering this as a possibility too as I swear I am growing a lady tash! I am dark haired anyway but it seems embarrassingly more prominent, could be me looking in the mirror too much during lockdown but I'm now wearing make up again daily! and my monthly cycles are getting slightly longer and less symptomatic (no painful breasts anymore and hardly swollen before my period) so that's a second thing to think about for me. Discharge is nornal and changed throughout the cycle as it should. My smears have been normal and I've not been with anyone else sexually, I'm running out of ideas. 

    It's hard work figuring this out isn't it! Have you found anything that helps the itching at night? That's when it's really bad however with the warmer weather it's starting during the day too now! I've got a chemist full of things even got some vagisil medicated cream and vagisil oatmeal wipes. Good job I can hide it all away in the wardrobe! 

    What was the biopsy like? Painful? I have a feeling one day it will be my turn if nothing else works. 

     

  • Offline in reply to Ajc86

    So today I broke down. I am fed up with this already and it's been 3/4 months. I'm also wondering if I now have PCOS. Had all sorts of possibilities going around in my head. I waited 58 days for my least period and now I'm on day 36 and no sign of my next one. Not sure if the two are linked as nothing on the internet saying about the two being linked. I'm 34 and now also worried about my fertility even tho my husband isn't keen on having another child still. My hormones are all over the place, swear I am growing a lady tash too which is backing up my suspicions of PCOS. I'm not overweight; but that doesn't stop me from having it so I read. Not sleeping because of the itching; I'm now on antibiotics for a staph aureus infection although I visibly have no signs of it other than redness. It's an emotional hormonal day today I have just well and truly had enough of it today :(

  • Offline in reply to Ajc86

    This exact thing happened to me I was given fluczanole which cured the itch however i was on a two week window to be seen by gynacologist. It was follicilitis and the lump has now gone after using fuicidin cream.  Not everything is bad news hope this helps. 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.