What is Womb (uterine) Cancer?

Womb cancer is a type of gynaecological cancer, which can affect anyone who has a womb. It may also be called uterine cancer, as uterus is the medical term for a womb.  

The womb (or uterus) is where, during pregnancy, a baby will grow. The below image shows where the womb is, as part of the female reproductive system.  

The majority of womb cancers will start in the lining of the womb (the endometrium), so you may also hear it referred to as endometrial cancer.  

Healthy cells within the body divide in a controlled way in order to heal and recover. When the cells are no longer needed (eg if they are damaged), the body causes those cells to die. New healthy cells are then created, and so on. 

Cancers develop when the cells which make up areas of our body, divide and grow in an uncontrolled way and do not die when they are supposed to. This causes a tumour (lump) to develop within the specific area of the body which has been affected by the cancerous cells. The cancer can then spread to other areas of the body, which is when a secondary cancer (metastasis) occurs.   

Please note, there are benign tumours which are non-cancerous.