Record rise in womb cancer cases

New figures have shown that the number of women diagnosed with womb cancer is at its highest level for over three decades.

According to the statistics released by Cancer Research UK, currently more than 19 in every 100,000 women suffer the disease, compared with 13 in every 100,000 in 1975.

Factors such as obesity and women opting to have fewer or no children are thought to have caused the record increase in the number of womb cancer cases.

More than 7,530 women develop womb cancer every year in the country. It is the fourth most common form of cancer among British women, the report added.

Over the past 10 years, this form has emerged as the second fastest growing cancer in women after malignant melanoma - a type of skin cancer.

Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information, 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."

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