UK cancer charity warns of increase in deaths from uterine cancer

Posted: 11/04/2012

BBC news has recently reported that 'womb cancer deaths are rising', as the charity Cancer Research UK releases statistics demonstrating an 18% increase in uterine cancer deaths over the last decade. The data shows that more cases of uterine cancer are being diagnosed and whilst women are surviving longer with the disease, the number of deaths is increasing. This worrying trend is to a large extent put down to rising levels of obesity, which is believed to be linked to the development of a number of cancers, including uterine cancer.

Uterine cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and typically occurs after menopause. Endometrial cancer is the most common kind of uterine cancer and although the exact cause of endometrial cancer is unknown, higher levels of estrogen are thought to be related. Abnormal bleeding is a common symptom and may be accompanied by pelvic pain and vaginal discharge. Given how unspecific these symptoms can be, it is vital that women attend their GP for advice should they have any concerns, particularly about post-menopausal bleeding, as with all cancers the earlier that tests are performed and a diagnosis can be made, the better the chances are of treating the cancer successfully.

A diagnosis delayed for any reason can have a catastrophic impact for the patient, as an aggressive cancer can metastasize quickly meaning that treatment options, such as surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, become limited. The five year survival rate for endometrial cancer which has not spread is 95% whilst the survival rate when the cancer has spread to distant organs is only 23%. These statistics demonstrate beyond doubt the importance of an early diagnosis and the correct treatment as time is very much of the essence. Sadly we see examples of delayed diagnoses in the oncology cases we deal with and the tragic consequences they have for the families involved. Patients presenting late with their symptoms and cancer being diagnosed late or missed altogether inevitably costs lives - the answer must be to educate the public as to the signs of cancer, tackle the reluctance to discuss such issues with the GP and improve GPs' abilities to spot and refer the right patients for further investigations.

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