Maintaining a healthy weight, combined with 38 minutes of exercise a day could lessen the threat of womb cancer, according to researchers at Imperial College London.

Scientific analysis on endometrial cancer and links with diet, physical activity and body weight showed that about 3,700 cases a year – almost half of those in the UK – could be avoided.

In the UK, only 56 per cent of women follow guidelines to be active for half an hour each day and only 39 per cent have a healthy weight.

A report from The World Cancer Research Fund also found that coffee may reduce the risk. However, there is not enough evidence yet to recommend drinking coffee to protect against cancer.