Actress Alex Kingston, known for her roles in "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Doctor Who," has bravely shared her journey with womb cancer, revealing she underwent a hysterectomy last year after a devastating diagnosis. Her personal experience, which included haemorrhaging on stage, highlights a critical issue: womb cancer cases have doubled in the UK over the last two decades, yet public awareness remains alarmingly low.

Experts warn that too many women are unaware of the tell-tale signs of the disease. A significant one in five women in the UK has never heard of womb cancer, and over a third mistakenly believe it can be detected through smear tests, leading to delayed diagnoses that can have severe consequences. Cath Kennedy, a clinical specialist at Peaches Womb Cancer trust, emphasizes that early detection is lifesaving, citing a dramatic discrepancy in survival rates: over 90 percent of women diagnosed early live for at least five years post-diagnosis, compared to a grim 15 percent for those diagnosed at stage three or later.

Kingston, 62, is now using her platform to raise awareness, urging women to pay close attention to their bodies and not dismiss unusual changes as mere hormonal fluctuations or signs of aging. "Your body does try to warn you. It just depends on whether you can read the warning signs," she told The Independent, reflecting on how she initially attributed her symptoms of bloating and achiness to being in her sixties. She knew something was seriously wrong, even if she didn't suspect cancer at first.

Commonly known as endometrial or uterine cancer, womb cancer typically originates in the lining of the uterus. In rarer instances, it can develop in the muscle of the womb, a form known as uterine sarcoma, which is more challenging to treat. The most prevalent symptom is abnormal bleeding, particularly in post-menopausal women who no longer experience periods. Other crucial signs include unusually heavy bleeding between periods, abnormal vaginal discharge (which may appear pink or brown), and any bleeding after menopause. Dr. Sangeeta Khinder, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at London Gynaecology, stresses the importance of investigating any bleeding between periods or if periods become prolonged or heavier, even if symptoms like heavy bleeding are also common in conditions like endometriosis and fibroids. It is vital to get new symptoms checked, regardless of a clear smear test result, as smear tests detect cervical cancer, not womb cancer.

Womb cancer affects approximately 9,700 women annually in the UK. Often dubbed a silent killer, its late diagnosis contributes to the low five-year survival rate of just 15 percent for those at advanced stages. Kingston's own diagnosis in 2024 followed years of subtle symptoms; it wasn't until she noticed blood in her urine and experienced a dramatic hemorrhage on stage that she sought urgent medical attention. She admitted she never considered cancer, attributing her symptoms to a bad UTI or fibroids.

While both womb cancer and fibroids involve an overgrowth of cells in and around the womb, often linked to high oestrogen levels, fibroids are generally harmless and do not require treatment unless causing symptoms. Womb cancer, however, can be life-threatening, with risks escalating the longer it remains undetected. The risk of womb cancer increases with age, with most diagnoses occurring in post-menopausal women. Other significant risk factors include obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Dr. Khinder highlights that the peak incidence is in women in their 50s and 60s post-menopause, making awareness for this group crucial.

Following her diagnosis, Kingston underwent a hysterectomy to remove her womb and prevent cancer recurrence. In younger women, this procedure would trigger menopause. She also received radiotherapy to eliminate cancer cells and reduce recurrence risk, a therapy known for its gruelling side effects such as vaginal bleeding, nausea, bladder inflammation, incontinence, and fatigue. Despite these challenges, Kingston noted a profound sense of relief post-operation: "the minute I had the operation, I suddenly felt like myself again," enabling her to pursue her dream of competing on "Strictly Come Dancing."

Gynaecological cancers, encompassing ovarian, cervical, womb, vaginal, and vulval cancers, collectively claim the lives of 21 women daily in the UK, totaling 8,000 deaths annually. These cancers originate in a woman's reproductive system and can affect women of any age, though they are more prevalent in women over 50 and those who have gone through menopause. Cervical cancer, distinct from womb cancer, typically affects women aged 30-35 and is located in the cervix. It is also referred to as a silent killer due to symptoms often being overlooked. In the UK, women aged 25 to 49 are invited for cervical screening checks every three years, a vital preventative measure, though uptake has declined from its 2011 high of 75.7 percent.