Although symptoms may be caused by other medical conditions, they should be thoroughly investigated by a doctor. She may ask you a series of questions, examine you internally, or use a speculum to look for lumps or lesions. The following are symptoms of womb cancer that you should report to your doctor. These symptoms may be symptoms of a more serious condition.
The chances of survival from womb cancer depend on its stage at diagnosis and the type and stage of the cancer. Treatments for womb cancer vary, depending on its stage, type, and speed of growth. Your gynecologist will discuss your treatment options with you. However, the sooner you can get diagnosed, the better. Treatment options may also depend on your age and health. While the main treatment for womb cancer is hysterectomy, other methods of treatment may be recommended.
Symptoms of womb cancer include irregular or heavy vaginal bleeding, particularly after menopause. This type of bleeding usually takes some time to stop, but about one in ten women with irregular bleeding will end up with a womb cancer diagnosis. The good news is that, if it is detected early enough, womb cancer is curable. While you should never stop having a period just because you have a symptom. If you have abnormal bleeding, you should speak with your GP to rule out other causes.
A high level of insulin in your blood is a risk factor for womb cancer. High levels of insulin stimulate the growth of cells in the lining of the womb. A woman who is overweight or obese is more likely to develop womb cancer than someone who is sedentary or dies from obesity. Even a family history of bowel cancer increases the chances of developing womb cancer. It is also important to consider the risk factors of womb cancer in your family.
Age plays a huge role in the risk of womb cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, women aged forty and over are at increased risk for the disease. In Northern Ireland, 100% of women diagnosed with womb cancer were over the age of thirty. However, it is important to note that age is not the only risk factor for womb cancer. Women aged 70 and older have the highest incidence of womb cancer.
A new, low-cost blood test may be able to identify precancerous womb growths. This test may allow early detection of womb cancer and spare the life of the woman. Further studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of the new test in the general population and in specific populations at high risk for the disease. Diabetes and obesity are two other risk factors that increase the risk of developing womb cancer. The cost and invasiveness of current diagnostic procedures make this test unsuitable for many women.
Women can now be diagnosed with womb cancer by testing their vaginal and urine samples. A specialist using a narrow telescope called a hysteroscope performs the test on women, but it is not reliable, and 31% of women need to repeat the procedure due to technical difficulties. A biopsy also helps doctors identify the type of cells present and determine whether they are cancerous or not. Although women can opt for the latter, it is essential to seek a second opinion before making any major lifestyle changes.
