Professor Esther Moss
University of Leicester
Awarded: £49,944
The challenge
Uterine sarcomas are a rare and aggressive type of womb cancer, making up around 3% of all womb cancer cases. Unlike the more common endometrial cancers, which are often caught early and treated successfully, uterine sarcomas are frequently diagnosed at a late stage and have poor long-term outcomes.
One of the biggest challenges is that the symptoms of uterine sarcoma are very similar to those of endometrial cancer and benign fibroids (non-cancerous growths in the womb), which can lead to misdiagnosis or delays in referral.
How will this project tackle this challenge?
This project will analyse the healthcare journeys of patients diagnosed with uterine sarcoma, focusing on how they move through the system, from their first GP appointment to diagnosis and treatment. Using existing data from across England, the researchers will study information from 234 uterine sarcoma patients, which will be compared with information from endometrial cancer patients, and women from the general population.
The data includes details about GP visits, symptoms, treatments, and patient backgrounds (such as age, ethnicity, and other health conditions). By comparing these groups, the team aim to identify patterns that could lead to delayed diagnoses, and examine whether current NHS referral criteria for suspected womb cancer could be adjusted to detect sarcomas earlier. The project will also involve people who have been affected by sarcoma to help interpret the findings and ensure the research remains focused on patients’ needs.
What this means for people affected by sarcoma
This research will highlight if and where delays in diagnosis happen and why, helping to pinpoint ways to improve early diagnosis of uterine sarcomas. Understanding these issues could lead to practical changes, such as updated referral guidelines, improved GP awareness, or new training for medical staff, to make sure patients are diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
