Womb cancer deaths rising

Posted 04/04/2012

Cancer Research UK reports that there has been an 18% increase in the past 10 years in the number of women dying from cancer of the womb. Data has shown that more cases are being diagnosed and women are living longer after diagnosis but that the total number of deaths has increased. Cancer of the womb is the fourth most common cancer in women and is more common after the menopause.

From 1970 to 1996 the incidences of womb cancer stayed roughly the same at 13.7 cases out of every 100,000 women but it now stands at 19.6, a 43% increase. Survival rates have improved with 77% of women now living at least 5 years post treatment but the rate of death has increased. Mortality has increased from 3.1 to 3.7 in deaths from uterine cancer for every 100,000 women. In 2010 1,937 women died from the cancer. There is an argument that rising levels of obesity were behind the increase.

Professor Jonathan Ledermann, a gynaecological cancer expert, said that “it is hugely troubling that more women are dying from womb cancer but we shouldn’t let this cloud the fact that the chances of surviving the disease are still better than ever.””This is due to better organisation of care for women’s cancers and more widespread use of one stop clinics for post menopausal bleeding as well as advances in the use of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy through clinical trials”.

A spokesman from the World Cancer Research Fund said “Womb cancer is one of several types of cancer where there is strong evidence that obesity increases risk. Others include breast, bowel, oesophageal, pancreatic and kidney. As levels of obesity rise we can expect the number of cancer cases to increase also. Taking steps to avoid becoming obese, such as eating a healthy diet and being active each day, is one of the most important things we can do to reduce our risk of cancer”.

Julie Crossley, a clinical negligence lawyer at Ashtons Legal comments, “It is worrying given the advances in treatment and early detection that deaths from cancer are increasing”. It is clearly important that we are aware of the signs and attend GPs early but also that we take steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”