Getting diagnosed

Referral to a specialist for symptoms of womb cancer

Your GP should arrange for you to see a specialist if you have symptoms that could be due to womb cancer. This is called an urgent suspected cancer referral.

Seeing your GP

It can be hard for GPs to decide who may have cancer and who might have a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if the symptoms get better or respond to treatment, such as antibiotics.

Your GP might arrange for you to have some tests first. This will help them decide if you need to see a specialist. Sometimes, they may not wait for the results before referring you to a specialist. They will also use their knowledge, skills and clinical judgement.

UK referral guidelines

There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral. These vary slightly between the different UK nations. Your GP will use these guidelines as well as their own experience and judgement.

In England and Wales

Your doctor should arrange for you to see a specialist if you are:

over 55 and have postmenopausal bleeding. This means any unexplained vaginal bleeding that happens more than 1 year after your periods have stopped because of the menopause
under 55 and have unexplained vaginal bleeding that happens more than 1 year after your last period because of the menopause

You might be referred for an ultrasound scan if you are over 55 and have:

unexplained symptoms of vaginal discharge and have these symptoms for the first time or a high platelet count (shown in blood tests) or blood in your urine
blood in your urine, with one of these: low haemoglobin, high platelet level, or high blood sugar level (shown in blood tests)

In Scotland

You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if:

you are bleeding after the and are not taking hormone replacement therapy ()
you are bleeding after the menopause, are taking HRT and have certain for womb cancer – your doctor can explain more
you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, and you are taking , or you have taken tamoxifen in the past
you have had an ultrasound scan which shows that you might have womb cancer

Your GP should offer you a which includes looking at your with a if you have:

vaginal bleeding that is not normal – this includes bleeding after the , bleeding after sex or bleeding between periods
vaginal discharge with no obvious cause
pain in the area between your hip bones – also known as pelvic pain

You should have an urgent ultrasound scan if your doctor can feel a lump in your tummy or pelvis and there is no obvious cause.

In Northern Ireland

Your doctor should arrange for you to see a specialist if you are:

not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and have bleeding after finishing your periods following your menopause (postmenopausal bleeding)
on hormone replacement therapy with persistent or unexplained bleeding after stopping your HRT for at least 6 weeks
taking tamoxifen with postmenopausal bleeding
having persistent bleeding between periods, and a pelvic examination didn’t show anything abnormal

You may have an ultrasound scan if you have a swelling in your tummy that your doctor doesn't think is related to fibroids, your bowel or bladder.

If an urgent ultrasound is unavailable, an urgent referral should be made.

You will see a specialist as soon as possible. Ask your GP when this is likely to be.

Remember, these symptoms can be caused by other conditions and do not necessarily mean that you have womb cancer. But it is important to get them checked out.

Other symptoms

Your GP will consider any other symptoms you have, so do mention these. They might also take into account whether you have any risk factors that affect your chances of developing womb cancer.

Go to the risk and causes of womb cancer

If you're still worried

Sometimes you might feel that your GP is not concerned enough about your symptoms. If you think they should be more concerned, print this page and the symptoms page. Ask your GP to explain why they don’t think you need a referral.

Contact your GP again if your symptoms don't get better or you notice any new or unusual symptoms.

What should I do if I don’t get my appointment?

If your GP has referred you, ask them when you should get your appointment. Contact them again if you don’t get one. Or some hospitals have a referral service you could try contacting if you know which hospital you are going to. Explain that you are waiting for an urgent suspected cancer referral.

Go to more information about an urgent referral, what to expect and questions to ask

Waiting times

Your hospital is working towards waiting time targets. For example, a target to find out whether you have cancer or not. And there are targets to start treatment if you are diagnosed with cancer. These are slightly different depending on where you live in the UK.

Find out about other cancer waiting times.

Last reviewed: 28 Feb 2024

Next review due: 28 Feb 2027

Seeing your GP when you have symptoms of womb cancer

You should see your doctor if you notice a change that isn't normal for you. Or if you have any of the possible signs and symptoms of cancer.

Tests for womb cancer

You have a number of tests to check for womb cancer. The tests you might have include an ultrasound scan and a womb biopsy.

Symptoms of womb cancer

The most common symptom of womb cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina. This is especially in women who have stopped having periods (post menopausal women).

Screening for womb cancer

Screening means testing people for early stages of a disease. This is before they have any symptoms. There is no national screening programme for womb cancer in the UK.

Womb cancer main page

The womb is the pear shaped muscular bag that holds a baby during pregnancy. Most womb cancers start in the lining of the womb. They are also called uterine or endometrial cancer.