UP to 18,000 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer in Britain every year and, of these, 7,500 will die.

But the survival rate could be much higher if women sought help instead of ignoring symptoms, according to East Lancashire nurse Beverley Walker.

The gynaecological clinical nurse specialist is leading the campaign locally for the first-ever Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, taking place throughout September.

Public knowledge of gynaecological cancers is woefully low and there also remains a strong embarrassment factor associated with all matters ‘down below’.

According to a recent survey, a quarter of women would put off going to their GP with a symptom in case they might not be able to see a female doctor; and one in five would be too embarrassed to even book an appointment.

But Sister Walker, based at the new multi-million pound women’s unit at Burnley General Hospital, said if gynaecological cancers are caught early they can often be cured.

“Often the symptoms can be something that most women explain away, such as irregular bleeding, but this is often the only sign of womb cancer.

"If caught early enough many gynaecological cancers can be treated very successfully.

"All it takes is a quick trip to the GP or family planning clinic.

“Anything you notice that is different, even if you think it’s nothing, it’s worth asking the experts.”

There were 112 cases of gynaecological cancers in East Lancashire between 2006-2008, including, cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar.

Throughout September events are taking place to raise awareness.

Sister Walker will be visiting supermarkets and handing out leaflets.

For the first time she will also be attending schools and colleges to speak to teenage girls about the subject.

Sister Walker also encouraged more East Lancashire women to take up regular cervical screening tests, which are available to all 25-64-year-olds every three years. She revealed there are still many women who ignore the calls for smear tests.

“In the older generation of women it’s the fear of being told that something is wrong, I come across women who haven’t had one for 20 years.

"And in younger women it’s the embarrassment factor.

“Nothing gynae is free from some embarrassment but it’s worth being checked out.

"If we can catch pre-cancerous cells at smear tests it can prevent a cancer from developing at all.”

As part of the campaign a new drop-in support group has been launched for existing gynae patients called Gyn and Tonic.

Patient Kathy Nutter, of Hapton, sits on the committee and has helped to set the group up.

The 31-year-old primary school teacher is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer for the second time.

She said: “The group has been a great help to me. It’s just somewhere to have a brew and a natter.

"But you’re not under any pressure to talk about what’s wrong with you.

"I’ve been through cervical cancer so I can help people who are new.

"Even if they just want a chat or some advice without actually attend the sessions, they can just email us instead.”

The group meets the second Tuesday of every month at Howard Street Community Centre, Burnley.

Sister Walker added: “Gyn and Tonic is a play on words in every sense. It’s an obvious gin and tonic reference but the support group is also a tonic in that it is an escape from it all away from the hospital.“ Celebrities have supported the awareness month by signing up to The Kiss Of Life campaign, run by national gynaecology charity, The Eve Appeal.

Jo Brand, Dannii Minogue and Lorraine Kelly have donned their favourite red lipstick and sent a ‘kiss’ to encourage women to get involved.

"It aims to collect 7,500 ‘kisses’ — one for every woman lost to gynaecological cancer each year in Britain.

n The next Gyn and Tonic meeting is on September 13 at 7pm. For more information contact 01282 803 123 or email gynandtonic@gmail.com.