A new national survey suggests many Canadian women remain unaware of the signs, risks and prevention strategies related to gynaecological cancers, despite the diseases impacting thousands each year.
The poll, conducted by Leger for GSK Canada, found nearly 60 per cent of women aged 40 and older are unsure whether gynaecological cancers, including ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers, present early warning signs. More than 80 per cent of respondents said they lacked awareness of endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, which is rising in prevalence across Canada.
In 2024, 8,600 Canadian women were diagnosed with endometrial cancer, and 1,600 died from it. Researchers expect it to become the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women within 15 years.
“Although these cancers are sometimes referred to as silent, many do present noticeable signs — signs that must not be ignored or dismissed,” said Michelle Horn, GSK Canada’s country medical director, in a statement.
The survey also found that conversations about gynaecological health are often missing during routine medical appointments. Nearly half of respondents said they did not discuss the issue at their most recent check-up, even though the vast majority said they trust their doctors and feel comfortable raising concerns.
Patient advocates say the lack of awareness leads to delays in diagnosis and treatment. “Female gynaecological cancers are overlooked and not well understood,” said Tania Vrionis, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada. “By encouraging open conversations and providing accessible resources, we can empower women and enhance early detection.”
The research highlights barriers to care, with respondents citing lack of symptom awareness, dismissing potential signs, and mistaking symptoms for other conditions as reasons for delaying medical attention.
When provided with information about symptoms and risks, nearly three-quarters of women surveyed said they would seek a gynaecological check-up.
Health experts say the findings underscore the importance of public awareness campaigns, education initiatives and proactive communication between doctors and patients.
The online survey of 1,510 women was conducted between April 10 and 17. The polling industry’s professional body says online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they do not randomly sample the population.