By Gwendolyn Ng

ENDOMETRIAL cancer, or cancer of the womb, is on the rise among older Singaporean women. it is now the top gynaecological cancer in Singapore.

According to the latest report from the National Registry of Diseases Office, endometrial cancer has risen by almost 60 per cent from 1998 to 2008.

In the period 1998 to 2002, there were 904 cases of endometrial cancer. that number rose to 1,434 in the period 2004 to 2008.

The numbers were revealed at a media briefing held at National University Hospital (NUH) to raise awareness and to encourage women to seek early treatment for the cancer.

Speaking at the event, Dr Joseph Ng, a consultant with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, stressed that if one seeks early treatment, “this can be treated entirely and cured very effectively”.

It was such prompt action that endometrial-cancer survivors Wong Lee Pheng, 52, and Koh Siew Jeong, 55, took, which contributed to their fast recovery.

They were both present at the briefing.

Madam Wong, a co-owner of a recycling-technology company, experienced two days of severe vaginal bleeding.

“At first I was going to brush it aside, but my family thought I’d better see a doctor,” she recalled.

She was diagnosed with the disease in September last year.

In October, she underwent surgery.

Her recovery has been rapid: Last month, she even spent Christmas and new Year in Yunnan, China, and went on a two-day mountain trek.

The energetic woman said jokingly: “Now, I even have to remind the people around me that I (once) had cancer.”

Endometrial cancer is most common among women in their 50s. NUH sees about 60 women who suffer from endometrial cancer annually. More than 90 per cent are above the age of 40.

Though the actual cause of endometrial cancer is unknown, obese women face a higher risk of contracting it, while women who have not given birth, or who have had few births, would face increased risk.

Those with a family history of uterine, ovarian and related cancers are also at higher risk.

Symptoms of the cancer include abnormal menstrual bleeding, such as bleeding more than once a month, and spotting throughout the month.

Vaginal bleeding after menopause may also be a symptom of the cancer.

Read more: Pop a pill, save your life New findings on the birth control pill include the fact that it prevents endometriosis (womb) cancer, besides ovarian cancer.

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