Womb cancer is the most common type of reproductive cancer in women, accounting for 3% of all cancers diagnosed. More than 8,000 womb cancers are diagnosed in UK each year.
Statistics
Womb cancer aka cancer of the uterus is the most common type of reproductive cancer and the fourth most common cancer found in women, behind breast, lung and bowel cancer.
Every year, more than 8,000 womb cancer cases are diagnosed, and this means almost 3% of all cancer types found in women. In 2014, there were 2,166 deaths reported due to womb cancer.
According to the British Medical Journal, women with a higher waist-to-hip ratio are more likely to develop womb cancer.
Signs & symptoms of womb cancer
The most frequent symptom of womb cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina. Such bleeding may start as very light and it might be combined with a watery discharge.
Most women diagnosed with womb cancer have already been through menopause therefore such a bleeding is obviously abnormal. In case of women who haven’t yet been through menopause, their periods might be heavier or they might experience bleeding between periods.
Other symptoms include: pain in the lower abdomen, during sex of in the back area, loss of appetite, nausea, and tiredness.
If you experience any of these signs, visit your GP as soon as possible.
Causes and risk factors for womb cancer
The exact causes are not known yet, but there are some factors that can enhance a woman’s risk for developing this health condition. They include the following:
- Age
- Oestrogen
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Overweigh and obesity
- Not having children
- Diabetes
- Polycystic ovaries
- Endometrial hyperplasia
Treatment
Surgery is the main treatment option for womb cancer, but more methods can also be used such as radio therapy and chemotherapy. The perfect treatment option is chosen according to how advanced the cancer is. In most cases, it is recommended to get a hysterectomy – removal of the womb, the ovaries and the fallopian tubes.
Under some specific circumstances, another treatment option is the hormone replacement therapy, again depending on the stage that the cancer is in.
