Vulva cancer, signs, protection

Exactly where it is! We use so many euphemisms, from "down there" to "va-jay-jay," that it's no surprise many women aren't sure what the vulva is. Answer: the inner and outer labia, clitoris, and pubic mound, explains Dr.

2. How to tell if something is wrong. Vulvar cancer is relatively rare — about one in 387 women will get it in her lifetime, compared with one in eight for breast cancer. But survival rates are lower, around 75 percent, so it's important to catch it early, Dr. says. "Knowing your body is critical. "Some signs of potentially cancerous changes:

• Sores or wartlike bumps that don't heal after four days.
• Skin that is thicker or a different color than the skin around it (tiny yellow dots on the inner labia are an exception — those are most likely just sebaceous glands).
• Dark, irregularly shaped moles or spots.

3. How to protect yourself. Get a yearly pelvic exam, even if you're not due for a Pap, and ask your doctor about a human papillomavirus (HPV) test. It's estimated that 40 percent of vulvar cancers are related to HPV — the virus that causes most cases of cervical cancer.