Thread by @FirstDoctor

3 things you should know about cancer of the womb

1️⃣ 1 in 90 women have a life-time risk of having it

2️⃣ It often manifests with vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause

3️⃣ You can take steps to prevent it.

A thread 🧵

{Retweet for awareness!}

What increased your risk of having cancer if the womb?

- Obesity
- Late menopause (after 52 years)
- High estrogen levels
- Nuliparous (not giving birth)
- Diabetes
- Drugs e.g. tamoxifen, tibolone
- Family history of womb cancer esp in your mother, sister or daughter.

Once a womb cancer is suspected, two common tests can be done to confirm it;

- Trans-vaginal #ultrasound scan: the walls of the uterus might be more than 4mm thick

- Womb tissue can be taken out (#biopsy) for histology: highly definitive if done using hysteroscopy

The treatment for womb cancer will depends on the stage (there are 4 stages, & the higher the stage, the worse the disease).

You could go for:
- surgery,
- chemotherapy,
- radiotherapy,
or a combination of the above.

Here's how to prevent womb cancer;

1. Avoid the avoidable risk factors mentioned above

2. Report to your doctor for prompt check-up of all vaginal bleeding after menopause

3. Doctors may prescribe pills like combined oral contraceptives to help reduce your risks if needs be

Remember, uterine cancer is now the most common gynecological cancer worldwide, & 4th most common female cancer after breast, colon & lung cancers.

Spread this message because prevention is the key.