IGCAN Directory
login/create account
DonateJune is Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
Home > Advocacy For Patients > About Gyn Cancers > UCAM
A Global Campaign Initiated by the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) in 2023.
Supported by the International Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Network (IGCAN) and Partners.
Leap into Action for Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
Let's leap into action and over the barriers surrounding gynecologic health.
Together, we can work to clear the obstacles standing in the way of early detection, better treatment for all, and open conversations.
2025 Campaign: Year Three
Learn more and access resources to build your awareness campaign..
Leap into action and raise awareness by participating in a social media challenge.
Pledge your support to ensure every woman has access to vital resources.
Explore timely, expert-led education for physicians on uterine cancer care.
Stigma and misconceptions surrounding uterine cancer can impact women around the world.
Together with patient advocacy organizations from the IGCAN, we collected statements from those personally affected by uterine cancer.
Nearly half of the women who took the survey said they experienced stigma, shaming or misunderstanding – from loved ones and doctors alike.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to all the incredible women who shared their experiences. With the incidence and mortality of endometrial cancer on the rise, we need to raise awareness and push back against the stigmas that stand in the way of earlier diagnosis.
The video files associated with this project (including versions formatted for social media) are available for download here.
This video project is a collaboration between IGCS, IGCAN & AstraZeneca.
Digital media funded by AstraZeneca.
Most Common Gynecologic Cancer on the Rise
Each year, more than 420,000 people will be diagnosed with uterine cancer worldwide. The number of cases is expected to increase 50% by 2044.
Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in North America, Europe, and Australia, making up nearly 50% of all gynecologic cancer cases in high-income countries. Incidence and mortality are also expected to rise in low- and middle-income areas due to increasing obesity rates, aging populations, and limited access to early detection and treatment.
Uterine cancer is one of the few cancers where both incidence and mortality rates are increasing. This may be attributed to risk factors increasing worldwide.
Obesity and obesity-related diseases are the strongest risk factor, coupled with aging populations. Women who have had excess body fat for 10 years or more are at higher risk due to the excess estrogen produced by fat cells, which can contribute to cancer cell growth in the uterus. Family history and reproductive history can also affect the risk of developing uterine cancer – learn more about risk factors.
Uterine cancer refers to cancer that starts in the uterus (womb).
There are two main types:
Endometrial Cancer
Most common type, making up 90% of cases.
Starts in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). It is often linked to hormonal changes, obesity, and age. Researchers are learning more about the different kinds of endometrial cancer and how they behave. By looking at the different cell types, patterns of growth, and genetic information, they can now classify these cancers more accurately.
Uterine Sarcoma
Rare – Develops in the muscle or other tissues of the uterus.
This type is more aggressive and harder to detect early.
Why Awareness and Advocacy is Needed
Misinformation and Ignorance
Many women don’t learn about their own bodies, hormonal health, or menstrual cycles beyond the basics. Uterine cancer symptoms— post menopausal bleeding, irregular menstrual bleeding, extreme fatigue, or pelvic pain—can be dismissed as signs of normal aging or menopause, or mistaken for other, less serious conditions.
Shame and Stigma
Talking publicly about gynecologic health can be embarrassing or considered taboo. Too often, those experiencing symptoms remain silent and are unsure when they need to seek out medical treatment or ask for a second opinion. That means serious conditions like cancer take longer to diagnose.
Inequities and Systemic Barriers
Worldwide disparities in care may be attributed to systemic barriers, including healthcare access, socioeconomic factors, and implicit bias in treatment recommendations. Advocacy for equitable access to early detection, molecular testing, and precision medicine is critical to closing these gaps.
Reducing Inequities in Uterine Cancer
A Global Call to Action
Uterine cancer affects women of all backgrounds, but inequities persist in detecting and treating the disease based on race, ethnicity, income, region, and access to care. The IGCS and advocacy partners throughout the International Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Network have made the commitment to awareness and advocacy.
Together, we are calling on organizations, individuals, and governments from across the globe to help us in our efforts and work towards solutions to:
- Raise public awareness
- Overcome barriers to diagnosis
- Improve access to treatment
- Support survivors
- Increase diversity in clinical research
Uterine Cancer Awareness Month is a Global Campaign Initiated by the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) in 2023.
Supported by the International Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Network (IGCAN) and Partners.
The 2025 IGCS-IGCAN Uterine Cancer Awareness Month Campaign is supported by:
