The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ located in the female pelvis. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing foetus before birth. The uterus has two layers: an outer muscular lining and an inner lining known as the endometrium, which thickens and sheds during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Uterine cancer or endometrial cancer, affects the inner lining of the uterus. A less common type of uterine cancer, which affects the outer muscular lining is called uterine sarcoma.
Uterine cancer is the 4th most common women’s cancer and most common female genital tract cancer in Singapore. While uterine cancer can affect women of any age, the majority of cases (70%) occurs in women above the age of 50.
If uterine cancer is discovered early and confined to the uterus, removing the womb often eliminates the cancer. The cure rate can be over 90% when the disease is detected at an early stage.
