What is womb cancer?
The most common gynaecological cancer in the UK
Womb cancer, also known as endometrial or uterine cancer, is the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK, affecting nearly 10,000 women annually. Most diagnosed with womb cancer are over 50 years of age and have gone through the menopause, but womb cancer can affect younger women too.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptom of womb cancer is vaginal bleeding after the menopause (post-menopausal bleeding).
Other symptoms include:
Periods becoming heavier than normal
Bleeding in between periods or after sex
Tummy (abdominal) pain
Abnormal vaginal discharge (pink or watery)
Blood in the urine (haematuria)
Unexplained weight loss
There are many other conditions that are not cancer which may cause the symptoms above. However, early detection saves lives and if you experience any of these do not hesitate to seek medical advice.
The Womb
The womb is a hollow pear-shaped organ in the female reproductive system that sits in the pelvis.
It is where a baby develops during pregnancy and the lining of the womb is shed during a period. The womb connects to the neck of the womb (cervix) and vagina at the lower part and to the ovaries and fallopian tubes at the upper part.
The womb has 3 layers
- An outer layer called the serosa that covers and protects the womb
- A middle layer of muscle called the myometrium
- An inner layer called the endometrium or lining of the womb
Womb cancer often begins in the lining of the womb when cells begin to grow in an uncontrolled way and form a cancerous tumour, known as endometrial (womb) cancer.
Download and share the signs and symptoms of womb cancer
