Poor diet and obesity blamed as womb cancer cases hit record level

Published on Wednesday 21 July 2010 19:04

THE number of women diagnosed with womb cancer in the UK is at its highest level for more than 30 years, new figures have shown.

Rates per 100,000 women have shot up from 13 per 100,000 in 1975 to more than 19 per 100,000 more than 30 years later.

More than 7,530 women develop the disease every year in the UK, up from 4,813 in 1993.

Experts at Cancer Research UK, which released the figures, believe reasons behind the rise include more women being overweight or obese and women having fewer or no children.

Womb cancer is the fourth most common cancer among British women, killing 1,741 in 2008.

Over the past decade, the disease has become the second- fastest growing cancer in women after malignant melanoma skin cancer. Sara Hiom, the director of health information for Cancer Research UK, said: "These figures show that we're still seeing a year-on-year rise in the number of women diagnosed with womb cancer, and more needs to be done to tackle this.

"Women can reduce their risk of developing the disease by keeping a healthy weight, taking regular exercise and reducing the amount of alcohol they drink.

"All women should be aware of the symptoms of womb cancer, which include abnormal vaginal bleeding - especially for post-menopausal women - abdominal pain and pain during sex.

"Although these symptoms don't usually mean cancer, as they could be signs of other diseases such as fibroids or endometriosis, it's still vital to get them checked by a doctor.

"The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the more likely treatment will be successful."

Womb cancer tends to develop later in life, with women aged 60 to 79 most at risk.

Rates in this age group have nearly doubled since 1975 - from about 40 women in every 100,000 to more than 75 in every 100,000 in 2007.

In Scotland between 1985 and 2007, there was a 15 per cent increase in the disease rate.

Ciaran Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "There are currently two million people living with a cancer diagnosis, and this will double by 2030, so we need to be planning for the future.

"Cancer is no longer necessarily a death sentence, and NHS and social care services need to adapt to ensure appropriate that long- term care is in place for cancer survivors."

Jane Lyons, chief executive of The Eve Appeal charity, which raises funds for research, said: "Womb cancer is now the biggest gynaecological cancer, ahead of ovarian cancer," she said. "A gynaecological cancer is diagnosed in nearly 50 women a day in the UK, and 20 a day die from one of these cancers. Despite this, research funding and awareness of the signs and symptoms of these diseases among women are woefully low."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Our cancer plan - Better Cancer Care - recognises that lifestyle factors, like obesity, poor diet and not enough physical activity, can increase your risk of cancer. We are implementing a wide-ranging programme of action to encourage healthy lifestyle choices."