7,000 women a year are diagnoised with womb cancer in the UK. The womb is an organ made of muscle and tissues which sits at the top of the vagina. Cancer of the womb can either originate in the lining of the womb, known as womb or uterus cancer, or it can originate in the muscles of the womb to form a soft tissue sarcoma. The cervix is the lower part of the womb, cancer which originates here is known as cervical cancer.

Things to look out for

Symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Abnormal bleeding from the vagina: bleeding between periods, heavier periods, vaginal bleeding following the menopause or abnormal discharge from the vagina.
• Swollen abdomen (tummy) and or back/legs.
• Weight loss and or loss of appetite.
• Difficulty passing stool (constipation).
• Vomiting (being sick).
• Fatigue and or a feeling of weakness.
• The need urinate more frequently.
• Pain and or tenderness to the lower tummy (abdomen) and or back/legs.

Smear tests or cervical screening are not used to diagnosed cancer of the womb, these tests are only used for the detection of changes to the cervix which can be caused by cervical cancer.

These symptoms may not be caused by cancer but due to the nature of cancer it is important you speak to your doctor/consultant if you experience some or any of these symptoms.