Cancer Types: Womb

Another post for the ladies here! I promise to do more unisex ones as this series progresses!

The Womb:

The womb is part of the female reproductive system. It is a muscular bag shaped like a pear and its job is to protect a baby as it grows during pregnancy. It is also known as the uterus.

Please note that although the cervix forms part of the womb – womb cancer and cervical cancer are two different things.

Cancer of the Womb:

Womb cancer is the fourth most common cancer for women in the UK, especially those that are between the ages of sixty and seventy nine. Womb cancer has several different names: womb cancer, uterine cancer or endometrial cancer. This is because the womb is also known as the uterus and because the lining of the womb is called the endometrium. Cancer of the endometrium is the most common type of womb cancer.

Risk Factors for Womb Cancer:

Exact causes for womb cancer are not yet known. However, something’s do increase your risk of developing this kind of cancer:

* Overweight or obese women are more likely to develop womb cancer then women of a “normal” weight

* Your menstrual history can also increase your risk – for example if your menarche (first period) arrived at an     early age or you had a late menopause.

However, it’s not all bad news... research shows having a baby will lower your risk of womb cancer and having more than one child will decrease your risk even more.

Screening for Womb Cancer:

At the moment there isn’t a reliable way to test seemingly healthy people for womb cancer but research and clinical trials are ongoing.

If you have a family history of certain cancers then you will be encouraged to have regular checks for womb cancer.  If this applies to you then you may be familiar with the phrase HNPCC or Lynch Syndrome families. You may be offered vaginal ultrasound scans from your mid twenties onwards if your risk of womb cancer is considered high by your doctors.

Symptoms of Womb Cancer:

About nine out of ten womb cancer cases are diagnosed because the woman is suffering from post menopausal or irregular vaginal bleeding. Womb cancer symptoms to look out for include:

* Vaginal bleeding after the menopause

* Unusually heavy bleeding

* Bleeding between periods

* Pink and watery vaginal discharge

* Dark and foul smelling vaginal discharge

Less common symptoms include:

Abdominal pain or discomfort

Painful sex

An enlarged or swollen womb (your doctor will be the one to find this symptom)

Diagnosing Womb Cancer:

Firstly, you will need to visit your GP and let them know about your symptoms. They will ask you about your general health and they will examine you. They may also ask you about any family history of cancer. They may ask you for blood and urine samples. A pelvic examination may also be needed as well as a cervical smear. If your GP suspects womb cancer, they will refer you to a specialist ASAP.

The specialist will need to take a sample of your womb tissue and lining. This is called an endometrial biopsy. This will be tested for abnormal and cancerous cells.  Other tests may also be needed, for example an aspiration biopsy, hysteroscopy or D and C.

If womb cancer is detected then further tests will be needed to discover what stage the cancer is and if it has spread. This will mean your doctor has a clearer view of what is going on and can come up with the very best treatment plan for you. These could include blood tests, X-rays, scans or internal examinations. Biopsies may also be needed as well as CT and MRI scans.

Treating Womb Cancer:

Womb cancer can be broken down into four stages:

Stage One – The cancer is only found in the womb

Stage Two – The cancer has spread to the cervix

Stage Three – The cancer is more advanced but is still in the pelvis or nearby lymph nodes

Stage Four – The cancer has spread to one of more organs

The cancer will also be graded. Generally speaking, the lower the grade, the slower the cancer is growing and the less likely it is to spread.

Treatment options available include:

Surgery – this is usually the first and most important type of treatment. The amount of surgery needed will depend on the stage and grading of the cancer. Usually a total hysterectomy is advised as well as having both ovaries removed.

Radiotherapy - this may be an option if your doctor has worries about your general health and fitness. If they feel you are not well enough for an operation then radiotherapy may be used instead. If you decide against surgery then radiotherapy may be offered. Radiotherapy may also be offered after surgery if your doctor thinks you need it.

Hormone Therapy – this may be used to try and stop advanced cancer from growing so fast.

Chemotherapy – this may be used to control advanced womb cancer. It may also be used before and/or after surgery

I hope you have found this blog post useful ladies. If you do have any worries about womb cancer, please speak to your GP as soon as you can. You can read more about womb cancer at www.cancerresearchuk.org

xxx