Uterine Cancer: Unveiling the Unseen & Urgent Need

The Silent Epidemic: Why Are We Not Talking About Uterine Cancer Enough? 

Why does uterine (or endometrial/womb) cancer remain so under-prioritised, even though it is among the most common gynaecological cancers?3 Unlike cervical and ovarian cancer, it hasn't benefited from widespread public awareness, or coordinated efforts for prevention, diagnosis and care. Most national cancer plans still omit it, and it’s routinely absent from major non-communicable disease (NCD) and women’s health strategies. 

This oversight isn’t merely administrative; it’s rooted in societal stigma and historical neglect. Women, particularly those in underserved communities, find their voices lost to discomfort and silence. 

“The pervasive stigma surrounding gynaecological health often leads to reluctance to discuss symptoms and may result in delayed diagnosis. At AstraZeneca, we are committed to empowering communities to speak up and support earlier diagnosis initiatives. 

• Dr Neemali Denduluri, Vice President, OBU Medical Affairs, GU/GYN  

A Growing Burden: What Happens When We Keep Ignoring Uterine Cancer? 

The numbers reveal a stark reality: rising incidence is fuelled by aging populations, increasing rates of obesity and metabolic disorders, and changing reproductive patterns.3,4 The true costs, however, are much greater. 

Early detection means better outcomes:^5,6 

• Five-year survival is about 95% when uterine cancer is diagnosed early 
• This drops to less than 20% for advanced or recurrent cases  

Delays cost lives and strain healthcare systems and economies. Every missed conversation, every undetected symptom, amplifies adverse outcomes. 

Breaking Down Barriers: How Can We Achieve Equitable Care for All Women? 

Uterine cancer cannot be fought in isolation. A transformed future demands concrete action – from policymakers, health systems, advocacy groups and industry. 

Critical barriers remain:

Are we doing enough? Clearly, more must be done – together. 

Charting a New Course: What Steps Will Bring Uterine Cancer Out of the Shadows? 

We call upon governments and multilateral bodies to explicitly integrate uterine cancer into global and national NCD and women's health efforts. Our position paper outlines a clear roadmap for action: 

• Increase Political Prioritisation: Make gynaecological cancers a priority in health policy, confront stigma and inequity, and demand accountability in national cancer plans 
• Strengthen Early Detection Through Awareness, Prevention and Stigma Reduction: Elevate uterine cancer in health campaigns, focus on high-risk groups and foster open dialogue, supported by both governments and communities 
• Closing the Diagnostic and Care Gap: Bring education on uterine cancer to primary care providers, invest in diagnostic infrastructure, and promote Centres of Excellence. 
• Accelerating Access to Innovation: Ensure uterine cancer is visible in research agendas and innovation funding, integrate it into the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines, update treatment protocols nationally, and drive equitable access to new therapies. 

Read our full position paper: [insert link] 

A Shared Vision: What Future Can We Build – Together? 

“The burden of uterine cancer is immense, but not insurmountable. By working together, we can transform the future for all women. It's time to break the silence and bring uterine cancer firmly onto the global health agenda. We stand alongside our collaborators to ensure that every woman has access to care she deserves.”  

• David Brocklehurst, Vice President, Global Franchise Head, GYN/GU Cancers 

Uterine cancer affects us all — patients, families, clinicians, policymakers. We invite you to join this movement and help forge a future where every woman receives timely, high-quality, and equitable care. 

*Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group, Egyptian Gynecological Oncology Society, European Network of Gynaecological Cancer Advocacy Groups, International Gynecologic Cancer Society, HaBait Shel Bar (Israel Women’s Cancer Association), Peaches Womb Cancer Trust, Endometrial Cancer Action Network For African Americans, Society of Gynecologic Oncology and the Foundation for Women’s Cancer.

Addressing any public health problem requires partnering with global, regional and national leaders. Through collaborating with policymakers, we can increase awareness about the consequences of HF and drive change and innovation at multiple levels. This includes shifting earlier HF diagnosis to the community care setting, further alignment on unified global standards to follow the latest expert GDMT recommendations, initiating early treatment immediately following HF diagnosis, and developing integrated best-practice models of HF care.

Through joint efforts involving the entire community, we can make a profound difference and forge a future with improved HF outcomes for all. The complexities of HF require the entire CV community to transform HF management and care to reduce hospitalisations and improve outcomes. We remain steadfast in our commitment to transforming HF and achieving sustainable change for patients all over the world.

*Data refers to a US population
**Data refers to a UK population
***Data refers to a Swedish population

Veeva ID: Z4-76267
Date of preparation: August 2025