Overview
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding. The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors include being over 50, having one or more close relatives diagnosed with cancer of the uterus or ovarian cancer and carrying extra body weight.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of cancer of the uterus is unusual vaginal bleeding. This may include:
- bleeding or spotting after menopause
- heavier than usual periods or other changes in periods
- bleeding between periods
- constant bleeding (periods that continue without a break).
A less common symptom is a smelly, watery vaginal discharge. In rare cases, symptoms include abdominal (belly) pain, unexplained weight loss, difficulty urinating (weeing) or a change in bowel habit (pooing). Any of these symptoms can happen for other reasons, but it is best to see your doctor for a check-up.
What are the risk factors?
The exact cause of cancer of the uterus is unknown, but factors that can increase the risk include:
- age – cancer of the uterus is most common in women aged over 50 and in women who have stopped having periods (postmenopausal)
- body weight – carrying extra body weight (overweight or obese) is a major risk factor
- medical factors – having diabetes; having previous radiation therapy for cancer in the pelvic area; having endometrial hyperplasia
- family history – having an inherited change in a gene (mutation) linked with endometrial cancer (e.g. Lynch syndrome or Cowden syndrome), or having one or more close blood relatives diagnosed with cancer of the uterus or ovarian cancer
- reproductive history – not having children
- hormonal factors – starting periods before the age of 12; going through menopause after the age of 55; taking some types of oestrogen-only menopausal hormone therapy (MHT, previously called hormone replacement therapy or HRT); or taking tamoxifen, an anti-oestrogen drug used for breast cancer.
Many people who have risk factors don’t develop cancer of the uterus, and some people who get this cancer have no risk factors. If you are concerned about any risk factors, talk to your doctor. Maintaining a healthy body weight and being physically active are the best ways to reduce the risk of developing cancer of the uterus.
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