Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This? | Season 4, #21: Professor Adeola Olaitan: Get bleeding checked: what every woman should know about womb cancer

Adeola Olaitan was appointed as Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist at the University College London Hospital, the gynaecological cancer centre for the North London Cancer Network, in January 2002. She discontinued NHS Clinical work in August 2022 but retained her UCL contract and she was awarded an honorary chair in January 2026.

She obtained her Medical Degree from the University College Hospital London where she was distinguished with a certificate of merit in surgery. As part of her training in obstetrics and gynaecology, Prof Olaitan worked in many of London's leading Hospitals. She underwent sub specialty training in gynaecological oncology at St Michael's Hospital, Bristol.

She is an accredited minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgeon and offers women the minimally invasive approach where appropriate. She is also accredited in colposcopy.

https://eveappeal.org.uk/

Womb cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer, and rates are rising. In this episode, Professor Joyce Harper speaks with consultant gynaecological oncologist Professor Adeola Olaitan about the symptoms every woman should know, why early diagnosis is so important, and what can be done to reduce the risk of developing womb cancer.

Adeola explains why bleeding postmenopause should never be ignored, discusses heavy bleeding during the perimenopause, and outlines the key risk factors for womb cancer, including obesity, PMOS, Lynch syndrome and tamoxifen use. She also explains why women who have a womb and take HRT need progesterone to protect the lining of the womb. Joyce and Adeola also discuss the importance of lifestyle factors such as healthy eating, exercise and weight management, not only for reducing cancer risk but for improving overall health and wellbeing.  

They also tackle the rise of misinformation on social media, including dangerous claims about alternative cancer treatments, and highlight the importance of seeking evidence-based information from trusted organisations such as The Eve Appeal. 

This episode contains an empowering message for all women: know the symptoms, trust the evidence, and never be afraid to ask for further investigation if something doesn't feel right. Most importantly, don't ignore unusual bleeding. Early diagnosis can save lives.

 Date of episode recording: 2026-09-01
 Language of episode: English
 Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper
 Guests: Professor Adeola Olaitan
 Producer: Joyce Harper

What is Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This? ?

Season 4 Joyce Harper is Professor of Reproductive Science at the Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, author, public speaker, scientist and host of the podcast Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Together with expert guests and people with lived experience, this podcast offers practical tools to help you build a life of good health and happiness. www.joyceharper.com Instagram, TikTok: @profjoyceharper Facebook: Global Women Connected

A4, #22: Dr Adeola Olaitan: Get bleeding checked: what every woman should know
about womb cancer
Adeola Olaitan was appointed a Consultant at the University College London Hospital
(UCLH) in 2002 and is currently clinical lead of the Gynaecological Cancer Centre. She
sees patients privately at The Harley Street Clinic, London and at The Portland Hospital,
London as a gynaecological oncologist and as a general gynaecologist.
She is a member of the British Gynaecological Cancer Society and the International
Gynaecological Cancer Society. Dr Olaitan is also Medical Expert for Eve Appeal Cancer
Charity and Jo's Trust Cervical Cancer Charity as well as being the Media Spokesperson
for NHS Cervical Screening Programme for which she has appeared on BBC London
News, Radio 4 Woman's Hour, ITV, Cosmopolitan magazine and Top Sante magazine.
She is presently an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University College London Hospital
and has written over 30 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.
Dr Olaitan is accredited in colposcopy of the cervix for patients with abnormal smear
results and has a particular interest in patients with cervical cancer, endometrial
(womb) cancer, ovarian cancer and vulval cancer. She is a specialist in minimally
invasive surgery and in maintaining quality of life in patients following cancer treatment.
https://eveappeal.org.uk/
Womb cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer, and rates are rising. In this
episode, Professor Joyce Harper speaks with consultant gynaecological oncologist Dr
Adeola Olaitan about the symptoms every woman should know, why early diagnosis is
so important, and what can be done to reduce the risk of developing womb cancer.
Adeola explains why bleeding postmenopause should never be ignored, discusses
heavy bleeding during the perimenopause, and outlines the key risk factors for womb
cancer, including obesity, PMOS, Lynch syndrome and tamoxifen use. She also
explains why women who have a womb and take HRT need progesterone to protect the
lining of the womb. Joyce and Adeola also discuss the importance of lifestyle factors
such as healthy eating, exercise and weight management, not only for reducing cancer
risk but for improving overall health and wellbeing.
They also tackle the rise of misinformation on social media, including dangerous claims
about alternative cancer treatments, and highlight the importance of seeking evidence
based information from trusted organisations such as The Eve Appeal.
This episode contains an empowering message for all women: know the symptoms,
trust the evidence, and never be afraid to ask for further investigation if something
doesn't feel right. Most importantly, don't ignore unusual bleeding. Early diagnosis can
save lives.