Womb cancer is most common in women who've been through menopause. It can affect anyone with a womb.
You cannot get womb cancer if you've had surgery to remove your womb (hysterectomy).
Having a high level of a hormone called oestrogen is one of the main things that can increase your chance of getting womb cancer.
You may have high levels of oestrogen if you:
- are overweight
- take some types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- have never given birth
- have polycystic ovary syndrome
- went through the menopause after the age of 55
You might also be more likely to get womb cancer if you have:
- diabetes
- a family history of bowel, ovarian or womb cancer
- inherited a rare gene that causes Lynch syndrome
- taken medicines like Tamoxifen (used to treat breast cancer)
- had radiotherapy on your pelvis
Find out more
You cannot always prevent womb cancer, but there are things you can do to lower your chance of getting it.
Do
make sure you're a healthy weight
stay active and do regular exercise
have a healthy diet and cut down on alcohol
talk to a GP about a type of contraception that may lower your chance of getting womb cancer
talk to a 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.
11 September 2023
