Symptoms

Main symptoms of womb cancer

Main symptoms of womb cancer can include:

• bleeding or spotting from the vagina after the menopause
• heavy periods that are unusual for you
• vaginal bleeding between your periods
• a change to your vaginal discharge

Other symptoms of womb cancer can include:

• a lump or swelling in your tummy or between your hip bones (pelvis)
• pain in your lower back or between your hip bones (pelvis)
• pain during sex
• changes to how often you pee and poo (this can be either more, or less, than usual)

What happens at the GP appointment

You will be asked some questions about your health, family medical history, medical conditions and your symptoms.

Tell the GP if you or your family have any history of cancer or Lynch syndrome (a genetic condition that increases cancer risk).

You may be asked to be examined, you can ask for a female doctor or nurse.

You'll be asked to undress from the waist down, behind a screen. You'll be given a sheet to put over you.

Then the GP may:

• feel inside your vagina with 2 fingers while pressing on your tummy (they will be wearing gloves)
• feel inside your bottom
• gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina to check your cervix, like they do during cervical screening

The GP may ask to check inside your vagina like they do during a cervical screening.

They may also ask to check your tummy area and inside your bottom to feel for any lumps or changes in size or shape.

Before starting these checks, they should explain what will happen during them and answer any questions you have.

Referral to a specialist

The GP may refer you for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital if they think you have a condition that needs to be investigated.

You may get an urgent referral for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital if the GP thinks you have symptoms which could be cancer. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.