The common womb cancer symptom most women ignore
Womb cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women in the UK – but many women don’t know the symptoms.
Over 9,700 women, and people with genealogical organs, are diagnosed in the UK each year with this kind of cancer, and 90% of these people, if diagnosed early, will survive.
When found at a late stage, it goes down to a 15% survival rate for five or more years.
Currently, one in five patients with womb cancer are still not found until the disease is advanced.
Now, womb cancer charities want to address the awareness gap us Brits have, as a new survey has found that over a third of people have never heard of womb cancer, or unsure if they have.
Only 43% of people surveyed were aware that vaginal bleeding after the menopause can be a symptom of womb cancer.
Health charities The Eve Appeal and Peaches Womb Cancer Trust, are
launching a new campaign called ‘Spot Check’.
The campaign aims to educate people on the signs and symptoms associated with womb cancer and to help people with gynae organs know when to seek medical advice.
The charity say 90% of womb cancer cases are identified due to the presence of abnormal vaginal bleeding – so it’s a vital symptom to be aware of.
‘Despite womb cancer being the most common of the gynaecological cancers in the UK, our survey reveals that one in four women in the UK have never heard of or are unsure if they have heard of womb cancer,’ she Professor Emma Crosbie, President of Peaches Womb Cancer Trust, said.
‘A worryingly high number of people are not familiar with the most common “red flag” symptoms.’
The ‘Spot Check’ campaign aims to encourage everyone to be aware of the red flag symptoms of womb cancer and visit a GP if they experience:
- Any vaginal bleeding after the menopause (including spotting)
- Bleeding after sex
- ‘Blood-stained’ vaginal discharge which can be pink, red, or brown
- Bleeding between periods (before menopause)
- Periods that are heavier than normal (before the menopause)
As part of the campaign, posters will appear in women’s public toilets in 24 locations across the UK for four weeks.
Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of The Eve Appeal, said: ‘We want everyone to feel educated and empowered when it comes to their health, and that means
knowing more about the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK, womb cancer.
‘It’s so important to ignite the conversation around what is normal for you and what to do if something doesn’t feel right.
‘If you have any abnormal bleeding, don’t be embarrassed to visit your GP and push for answers to rule out womb cancer. If you have any worries or concerns, our Ask Eve service run by our Gynae Cancer Nurse specialists is here to answer any questions you may have, no matter how big or small.’
For information, you can get in touch on [email protected] or call 0808 802 0019. To find out more about the ‘Spot Check’ campaign, visit http://www.spotcheckcampaign.co.uk.
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