Womb cancer at a glance
The uterus (womb) is a hollow pear shaped organ located between the bladder and rectum in a woman's pelvis. When a woman becomes pregnant, the foetus develops in the womb. Most cancers of the womb develop from cells lining its inner surface. This lining is called the endometrium. Womb cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
Click on the links below to find out more about womb cancer.
If you are a patient looking for information on bowel cancer, please visit our patient information website, CancerHelp UK.
Risks and causes
The following things affect a person's chances of developing womb cancer.
AgeThe risk of womb cancer increases with age. Most cancers occur in women after the menopause.
ObesityBeing overweight can increase the risk of womb cancer. This may be because surplus fat will produce more oestrogen.
DietIf you eat a high-fat diet, you may have a higher risk of developing womb cancer.
Tamoxifen therapyThere is an increased risk of womb cancer for women who are being treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer. However, the risk is very small. The proven benefits of taking tamoxifen far outweigh the risk of developing womb cancer.
Family historyA woman’s risk is increased if several close relatives have been diagnosed with bowel, stomach, ovarian or womb cancer. But most women with affected relatives will not get womb cancer, and most women with womb cancer do not have a family history of the disease.
Childbearing and menopauseWomen who have never been pregnant are more likely to develop womb cancer than women with children. Similarly, women who go through their menopause after the age of 52 may have an increased risk.
Personal history of breast or bowel (colorectal) cancerWomen who have had any of these cancers have a slightly increased risk of developing womb cancer than other women do.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)Using HRT to control the symptoms of the menopause could slightly increase the risk of womb cancer, especially if it is used long term. HRT that contains progesterone and oestrogen has a much lower risk of womb cancer than ‘oestrogen only’ HRT.
You can find out more about what 'cancer risk' means in the 'Understanding 'risk'' section of this website.
Signs and symptons
The symptoms of womb cancer include:
- bleeding from the vagina after the menopause
- vaginal bleeding that is unusually heavy or happens in between periods
- pain during intercourse
- vaginal discharge
- pain in the lower abdomen, back, or legs
- a change from the usual bowel habit
- weight loss or loss of appetite
- passing water more often than usual
While these signs and symptoms may indicate womb cancer, most will indicate problems other than cancer. However, women who notice any symptoms should see their doctor. Womb cancer is likely to be easier to treat if detected early.
Detection
Initially a doctor will:
- ask questions about any previous medical problems, including those of family members
- ask questions about current symptoms
- carry out a pelvic examination ('internal').
A specialist may then carry out further tests, such as:
Treatment
The main treatments for womb cancer are:
SurgeryMost women with womb cancer will have surgery to remove it. The aim is to remove all or as much of the cancer as is possible and to find out what type and stage the cancer is.
RadiotherapyRadiotherapy may be used after surgery to prevent the risk of the cancer reappearing. Some women have radiotherapy instead of an operation if they are not fit enough for surgery.
Hormone therapyHormones are substances that occur naturally in the body and control the growth and activity of cells. The aim of hormone therapy is to slow the growth of womb cancers. Doctors may use hormonal therapy for people who cannot have surgery, or if womb cancer is advanced, or reappears.
ChemotherapyDoctors may suggest chemotherapy to treat advanced womb cancer, or cancer that has come back after it was first treated. Chemotherapy may be a single drug or a combination of drugs.
