MORE than one-quarter of women in Scotland cannot name a single correct ­symptom of any of the five gynaecological cancers, according to new research.

Research charity The Eve Appeal found only 31 per cent of women surveyed said they felt confident that they were well informed about gynaecological health issues.

Its study found the language of gynaecological health was proving an additional barrier to Scottish women opening up about cancer concerns.

More than half (53 per cent) said they had a problem using the words vagina or vulva, while, 28 per cent have resorted to using code names to discuss gynaecological health, according to the poll, which is timed to coincide with Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month

Lack of basic anatomical knowledge was also an issue, with 57 per cent of women north of the Border unable to correctly identify the five areas that can be affected by gynaecological cancer - the womb, cervix, ovaries, vagina and vulva - on a simple diagram. More than one-quarter said they found it very hard to talk to their GPs about gynaecological health concerns.

Helena Morrissey, ­chairwoman of The Eve Appeal, said: "These cancers have some of the worst outcomes for women, with a 40 per cent mortality rate. Understanding the symptoms will save lives."