Actress Ignored Subtle Cancer Symptom for Years Before Onstage Emergency
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Alex Kingston, known for her roles on hit shows like “ER” and “Doctor Who,” revealed her battle with uterine cancer in a recent interview.
At the first sign that something was wrong, the actress began hemorrhaging on stage in 2024 and eventually continued with the show. It wasn’t until six weeks later that doctors diagnosed him with cancer.
“Your body is trying to warn you,” the star, 62, told The Independent. “It just depends on whether you can read the warning signs.”
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“I had assumed that what I was feeling was old age, and I just accepted it,” Kingston continued, noting that she had experienced swelling and pain for years.
Kingston dismissed the telltale signs of uterine cancer as typical of aging, a mistake that experts say can cost women their lives.
Alex Kingston, known for her roles on hit shows like “ER” and “Doctor Who,” revealed her battle with uterine cancer in a recent interview. (Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images)
Uterine cancer, sometimes called “uterine cancer,” is a general term that describes cancer that forms in the uterus. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it most often develops after menopause.
There are two forms: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. Endometrium is one of the most common reproductive cancers, while uterine sarcoma develops in the muscular wall of the uterus. Uterine sarcomas are very rare, states the cited source.
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About 3% of women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer at some point in their lives. Each year, about 65,000 women are diagnosed.
Symptoms to look out for
The symptoms of uterine cancer can resemble other conditions, so it could go unnoticed or even ignored, as in Kingston’s case.
About 65,000 women are diagnosed with uterine cancer annually, and 3% of women are affected during their lifetime. (iStock)
Symptoms may include the following, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
- Vaginal bleeding between periods before menopause.
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause
- Pain or cramps in the lower abdomen just below the stomach
- Thin, white or clear vaginal discharge for postmenopausal women
- Prolonged, heavy, or frequent vaginal bleeding after 40
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Risk factors
Researchers are not sure of the exact cause of uterine cancer. The condition occurs when cells in the uterus mutate and multiply uncontrollably, which can form a mass called a tumor, says the Cleveland Clinic.
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Many risk factors for uterine cancer are associated with hormonal imbalances, such as obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can increase estrogen exposure.
Other factors include age (most cases occur after age 50), diet (a high-fat diet may increase the risk of cancer), and family history of the disease. According to experts, people who have not been pregnant are also at higher risk.
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There are a variety of treatment approaches for uterine cancer. In Kingston’s case, she underwent radiation therapy and a hysterectomy. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and immunotherapy may also come into play during treatment.
Kingston ignored the swelling and pain for years before a diagnosis forced her to undergo life-saving surgery, she shared. (Alecsandra Raluca Dragoi/BAFTA via Getty Images)
During a hysterectomy, surgeons typically perform procedures to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Most people need this extra step to ensure that all of the cancer is removed, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Doctors may also perform a procedure to remove lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread.
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Early intervention
While uterine cancer can be fatal, early diagnosis means potentially faster treatment and better outcomes.
Those experiencing any symptoms should talk to a healthcare provider and undergo a pelvic exam, experts recommend.
Symptoms of uterine cancer include irregular bleeding and pelvic pain, but early diagnosis through medical evaluation can lead to better treatment outcomes. (iStock)
A provider may also use a combination of blood tests and imaging scans to confirm a diagnosis.
“Uterine cancer is really complicated because it’s very tricky,” Kingston told The Independent.
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“What I would say is that the body does know, and that was the body that told me, ‘Help! There’s something really wrong.'” “It is very important to seek advice and get a check-up.”
News Digital has reached out to Kingston’s representative for comment.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant at News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of topics including food and drink, travel and health.