Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina, although most people with abnormal bleeding don′t have cancer.

Bleeding may start as light bleeding accompanied by a watery discharge, which may get heavier over time. Most women diagnosed with uterine cancer have been through the menopause, so any vaginal bleeding will be unusual.

In women who haven′t been through the menopause, unusual vaginal bleeding may consist of:

• periods that are heavier than usual
• vaginal bleeding in between normal periods

Less common symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen (tummy) and pain during sex.

If uterine cancer reaches a more advanced stage, it may cause additional symptoms. These include:

• pain in the back, legs, or pelvis
• loss of appetite
• tiredness
• nausea

Only 1 in 10 cases of unusual vaginal bleeding after the menopause are caused by uterine cancer, so it′s unlikely your symptoms will be caused by this condition.

However, if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, it′s important to get the cause of your symptoms investigated. The bleeding may be the result of a number of other potentially serious health conditions, such as:

• endometriosis – where tissue that behaves like the lining of the womb is found on the outside of the womb
• fibroids – non-cancerous growths that can develop inside the uterus
• polyps in the womb lining