Researchers and medical bodies explore ways to secure funds for womb cancer research

Mar 24 2015

A national group of researchers, medical bodies and charities, led by The University of Manchester is looking for help in setting the top priorities for fighting womb cancer, with a survey launched today (23 March 2015).

The Womb Cancer Alliance, a consortium of 12 leading organisations, is surveying women at risk, patients, family members and healthcare workers to find the best ways to direct research funds into the fourth most common cancer affecting British women.

Womb (or uterine) cancer is rising in incidence and more women than ever before are now dying from the disease, despite improvements in overall survival. The reasons behind this are not fully understood, but may include:
•An ageing population
•Fewer hysterectomies
•Breast cancer survivors treated with tamoxifen
•The obesity epidemic

Women are at increased risk if they experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, that is, bleeding after the menopause or between periods. Women with these symptoms should see their GP without delay.

Dr Emma Crosbie from The University of Manchester's Institute of Cancer Sciences is one of the members of the Alliance. She said: "Womb cancer is a growing research priority and understanding the causes is just one part of what we need to address.

"We want the views of the people most affected by this disease to help us find the right way forward in preventing, treating and curing this cancer."

The survey will address these questions by using the responses to create a top ten list of priorities. This will enable funds to be found to provide answers and solutions.

Daloni Carlisle, aged 51, was diagnosed with womb cancer in February 2014. She is a mother of two and is now recovering after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She said: "When I was diagnosed with womb cancer a year ago, I had never heard of it. I know I'm not alone. I'm in contact with a wide group of women affected by womb cancer through social media and we all say the same.

"It's not just that we hadn't heard of it. We didn't know the tell-tale signs, we didn't know the risk factors and we certainly weren't aware of just how common it is. Not a single woman I know is involved in a clinical trial.

"This initiative from the Womb Cancer Alliance to set out the research priorities is a great first step to addressing a huge knowledge gap."

Dr Crosbie added: "The more responses we get to this survey, the stronger our mandate will be to secure funds for research. This could make a real difference in saving lives for a few minutes of someone's time."

Source: The Womb Cancer Alliance