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Uterine cancer cases have increased by 50 percent in the last 20 years, but many women Don’t know the warning signs,
sometimes called disease endometrial or uterine cancerFound in the lining of the uterus – the muscular sac that holds the baby during pregnancy.
actress and strictly come dance star alex kingstonThe 62-year-old has revealed her battle with uterine cancer in an interview Independent,
Womb cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in the UK after breast, lung and bowel cancer, and according to the charity, The Eve Appeal, it affects 9,700 people a year.
But what causes uterine cancer, and what early signs should you be aware of?
What is uterine cancer?
“Womb cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the uterus (womb),” says Ms Sangeeta Khinder, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. London Gynaecology. “The most common type [of womb cancer] Endometrial cancer, which starts in the lining of the uterus.”
A less common, but more aggressive, type of uterine cancer is called uterine sarcoma.
“This type develops in the muscles of the uterus,” she says.
What are the causes of uterine cancer?
“Endometrial cancer develops when cells in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grow uncontrollably, often due to hormonal imbalance,” explains Ms Khinder. “High levels of estrogen, especially when unopposed by progesterone, can cause excessive thickening of the endometrium, increasing the risk of cancerous changes.
“Multiple factors contribute to this imbalance, including obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT).”
Gynecologists say conditions like diabetes and a family history of uterine or colorectal cancer can also increase the risk.
What are the early symptoms of uterine cancer?
According to The Eve Appeal, the main symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. This includes any unexpected bleeding, especially after menopause or between periods.
“If there is any bleeding between periods or the periods are prolonged or heavy, it needs to be taken seriously and investigated,” says Ms Khinder.
Abnormal vaginal discharge, especially during menopause, should also be reported to a doctor, says Ms. Khinder.
Vaginal discharge that is blood-tinged or appears pink or brown can also be a warning sign of cancer.
The Eve Appeal stresses that it is important to get any symptoms checked, whether you have had a clear cervical screening test or not. This is because cervical screening only helps prevent cervical cancer and not the other four gynecological cancers, including the uterus.
Who is most at risk for uterine cancer?
According to cancer research, most women suffering from womb cancer have undergone menopause and are between 75 to 79 years of age.
“The lifetime risk of getting endometrial cancer is 1 in 100 and the peak incidence occurs after menopause in the 50s and 60s, so it is important for women in menopause to be aware of the signs and symptoms,” says Ms Khinder. “Other risk factors such as high body mass index, diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) The risk of this type of cancer also increases.”
How is uterine cancer diagnosed?
If a patient reports symptoms of womb cancer to their GP, they will check the patient’s pelvic area for abnormalities, including between the hip bones and the lower abdomen. They will also ask more questions about the symptoms.
In some cases, patients will be referred to the hospital for more tests, such as transvaginal ultrasound and biopsy.
A less invasive test for diagnosing uterine cancer, called WID-Easy, has been approved for use in the UK.
Using techniques similar to those used in covid The testing procedure involves a simple swab being sent to a laboratory for DNA analysis. The test identifies DNA changes that could indicate womb cancer, providing an alternative to traditional methods such as transvaginal ultrasound or hysteroscopy. If testing suggests the presence of cancer, further confirmation via biopsy is required.
New test, by University College London (UCL) Spinout company Sola Diagnostics has been approved Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It is now available in private clinics to women over 45 with abnormal uterine bleeding, with availability on the NHS expected in the future.
How is uterine cancer treated?
The most common treatment for uterine cancer is hysterectomy, in which the uterus is surgically removed. “A simple hysterectomy, often performed as a key-hole procedure, is often the only treatment needed for early low-grade endometrial cancer,” explains Khinder. “Keyhole hysterectomy is associated with smaller incisions, a shorter hospital stay, and quicker recovery.”
After a hysterectomy, the cancer cells are further tested to determine whether they have spread beyond the inner half of the uterine wall.
“If this is a possibility, further treatment with radiotherapy may be offered to reduce the chance of the cancer cells coming back,” says Ms Khinder.
If you are concerned about womb cancer symptoms, tests or diagnosis, ask eve Available to help. You can contact the charity’s nurses by emailing nurse@eveappeal.org.uk or calling 0808 802 0019.