These symptoms could be easily dismissed for something else, but they could indicate something serious.
An emergency doctor has warned of four symptoms that could indicate a potentially deadly cancer that kills 2,500 women in the UK every year. According to the expert, you should see your GP if you spot any of these signs.
Speaking on social media platform TikTok, Doctor Suraj Kukadia alerted his followers to the symptoms of endometrial cancer, which is also known as womb cancer. The disease is the fourth most common type of cancer among women in the UK, and the eighth most common cause of cancer death.
As with any disease, spotting the symptoms as soon as possible is vital and can boost your chances of a successful recovery. However, part of what makes this cancer difficult to spot is the fact its symptoms could be dismissed or mistaken for something else.
Dr Kukadia, who is better known as Dr Sooj, explained more. He said: “Here are four signs of endometrial or womb cancer.
“Number one, bleeding between your periods. Number two, a change in your period. For example, they may become heavier or last for a longer period of time.
“Number three, unusual discharge down below. And number four, bleeding after the menopause.” He added: “If you have any of these symptoms, please book an appointment with your GP.”
His advice is echoed by experts at Cancer Research UK, which state that “the most common symptom of womb cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina”. According to the charity’s website, this is “especially” common in post-menopausal women.
It also notes that bleeding that is unusually heavy or persistent between periods, and an abnormal vaginal discharge that “might be pink” could be warning signs of the disease. But it adds that these can be symptoms of other medical issues such as:
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia)
- Growths (polyps) in the womb lining
- Bleeding with no obvious underlying cause, also called dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
According to Cancer Research UK, other signs to look out for include:
- Low red blood cell level (anaemia)
- High platelet count (thrombocytosis)
- High blood sugar level
- Tummy (abdominal) pain
- A swollen tummy
- Bloating
- A change in bowel or bladder habits
- A new cough.
The charity says: “If you have any of these symptoms, you must get them checked by your GP. But remember, they can all be caused by other conditions. Most people with these symptoms don’t have womb cancer.”
There are a number of factors that can raise your risk of endometrial cancer. However, being overweight or obese is the biggest preventable risk factor for womb cancer, with this linked to a third of cases.
