The number of women diagnosed with womb cancer has risen by more than a quarter over the past five years in Nottinghamshire.
September is gynaecological cancer awareness month and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is urging local women to visit their doctor if they have concerning symptoms.
In the UK 18,000 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer every year, and 7,700 women will die from these cancers.
Around 180 women are treated in Nottinghamshire alone, and the number of cases has increased by 25% in the last five years.
It is said that 37% of cases are linked to lifestyle and other risk factors including being overweight.
David Nunns, clinical lead for cancer at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and a gynaecologist, said: ” We don’t know exactly what causes Endrometrial Cancer but almost three quarters of cases are in women aged between 40 and 74.”
“One problem is the lack of knowledge about symptoms, which means women may not get diagnosed early.”
The cure rates are high if this cancer is diagnosed and treated early with 78% of patients surviving beyond five years.
Mr Nunns also added: “It is a proven face that early diagnosis of women’s cancers can save lives, so it’s important we all start having honest conversations about the signs and symptoms of these diseases in order to break down the social taboos and any embarrassment that currently exist.”
Symptoms of Womb (uterus) cancer
- Womb Cancer usually affects women aged over 50 usually occurring after menopause.
- The most common symptom of womb cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina, although most people with abnormal bleeding don’t have cancer.
- Most women diagnosed will have been through the menopause, so any vaginal bleeding will be unusual.
- Less common symptoms include pain in the lower back, pain during sexual intercourse, loss of appetite, nausea and tiredness.
NHS Choices
Women experiencing any of the above symptoms are being urged to visit their GP as soon as possible.
