‘I want to encourage other women to live healthily so that fewer women go through what I went through’ – Kath’s story

Sugar,saturated fats and lack of activity causes obesity.

I think most of today’s problems are to do with the stress of our everyday lives, yes smoking and being overweight has their part to play but trying to juggle work, home life and the traumas that go along with it I feel have a major part in the increase of such diseases. I have always tried to not stress over much at all, but on meeting and marrying my late husband I was blessed with an ever increasing amount of stress. He had cardiomyopathy which then led to a new valve and pacemakers ect ect. I have now just this morning found a discharge from my vagina and will go to the doctors asap, once I know what is happening I will inform you all on here, let’s hope it’s nothing too bad x

You give your source for obesity data as HSCIC.
This is from their site:
” England: In 2014, 58 per cent of women and 65 per cent of men were overweight or obese. Obesity prevalence has increased from 15 per cent in 1993 to 26 per cent in 2014.”
An increase from 15% to 26% is roughly 70% which corresponds much better with the increase in cancer figures. (I realise men are included in the statistics).

It doesn’t seem significant – the rise in obesity and overweight combined over 20 yrs of 17%, compared with a rise of 54% of womb cancers. What exactly are classed as ‘womb’ cancers- ovarian? Cervical? Uterine? All of the above? The fact that women have got fatter, is a lovely tool to make us feel guilty about as we struggle with an obesogenic society and work more hours at home and work than our predecessors! What about stress as a cause? Or the changing patterns of how we have children, later than before, less pregnancies, more terminations, more of those chemical rather than procedural, more and different types of birth control, better abd earlier ways of diagnosing cancer…. Etc etc.

This comment is to cancer research and in no way relating to Kath. Weight loss is very challenging and I think she’s amazing. Xxx

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for your comment. As well as keeping active, there are other things you can do to help reduce the risk of cancer. These include not smoking, keeping a healthy weight, cutting down on alcohol, eating a healthy, balanced diet, and enjoying the sun safely.

Why not try walking short local journeys instead of driving, getting the whole family together for a kickabout in the park at weekends, or cooking healthy meals together?

Small changes that fit into your day to day life are usually easier to stick to long term, so take a look at our Ten Top Tips for keeping a healthy weight, which you may find useful.

Best wishes,
Cancer Research UK

Would be good to hear what else you did to have a healthier lifestyle apart from the running? Any tips that are easily adapted to busy family life, very much appreciated?!

I to have had a total abdominal hysterectomy,bilateral salphingo-oopherectomy for endometrial cancer. I was lucky in that I didn’t require any other treatment but in Scotland it is a 6 monthly visit for 2 years to the combined gynaecological/oncology clinic with an emphasis of self referral of “symptoms” so being aware of changes/pain that develop that become persistent. I admit to being overweight, ex-smoker, but I also ticked other boxes…..young when started to menstruate, dysmenorrhoea, failed IVF but obvious side effects of treatment………so what do you blame ?

Thank you for sharing your story. It is very disappointing that once again womb cancer is linked to obesity, there are women who are not obese, who are active with healthy lifestyles with this disease. The constant suggestion is that womb cancer sufferers are to blame which is incredibly sad and disappointing.

A timely reminder, that we must be more aware of the little things in life, that can impact on our health! Leading an active and healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be a difficult decision, merely a commonsense approach to ensuring that one’s health isn’t unduly compromised!

Well done!

From a former cancer patient, 14.5 years since diagnosis, an operation and chemotherapy – now 3 inches smaller around the waist and two stones lighter!