Anyone with a womb can get womb cancer. It usually happens after menopause, in women over age 50.
It’s not clear what causes womb cancer. But there are some things that can increase your chance of getting it.
Having a high level of a hormone called oestrogen can increase the risk of womb cancer.
You may have high levels of oestrogen if you:
- are overweight
- take some types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
You may also have a higher chance of getting womb cancer if you have:
- never given birth
- diabetes
- gone through menopause after age 55
- a family history of bowel, ovarian or womb cancer
- Lynch syndrome - a genetic condition that increases your chances of getting some cancers
- taken medicines like Tamoxifen (used to treat breast cancer)
- had radiotherapy on your pelvis
How to reduce your risk of womb cancer
You cannot always prevent womb cancer. But there are things you can do to lower your chance of getting it.
Do
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make sure you're a healthy weight
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stay active and do regular exercise
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have a healthy diet and cut down on alcohol
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talk to your GP about contraception that may lower your chance of getting womb cancer
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talk to your GP about which HRT is best for you, if you are thinking about taking HRT
It's important to get any symptoms of womb cancer checked by a GP.
Lynch syndrome and endometrial cancer
Lynch syndrome is an inherited genetic condition. It is caused by a change in one of your genes and can be passed from parent to child.
If you have Lynch syndrome you may have a higher risk of endometrial cancer, a type of womb cancer.
Your genetic counsellor or healthcare team will help you plan how to reduce your cancer risk if you have Lynch syndrome.