Why you should know about uterine cancer risk factors

No more periods sounds great because it is! Vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain and pain during sex should be problems of the past after menopause.

But suppose you do experience any of these problems. In that case, it’s time to call your doctor, especially if they are accompanied by problems urinating. These all could be signs of uterine cancer.

Uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, develops in the lining of the uterus or womb. According to the National Cancer Institute, this cancer, which affects just over 3% of women during their lifetimes, is the most common type of women’s reproductive organ cancer. In most cases, uterine cancer develops after menopause. Get to know your uterine cancer risk factors so you can take action.

Hormones out of whack

While doctors and researchers don’t understand everything about the cause of uterine cancer, they believe it’s connected to an increase in estrogen in the body. Before menopause, the female reproductive system produces the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which play critical roles in women’s development and growth. When they work together, progesterone balances out the estrogen.

After menopause, the ovaries don’t produce estrogen and progesterone. However, estrogen can still be made in other parts of the body—mainly in fat tissue. Without progesterone to balance the estrogen, the estrogen can stimulate the uterine lining, causing an overgrowth that may lead to cancer.

Risky business

While most uterine cancer is likely the result of hormone fluctuations and imbalance, other factors, including increasing age, a family history of uterine or colorectal cancer, and your personal health history, can all increase your risk. Other factors include:

• Obesity. Because fat tissue can produce estrogen, obesity is a major risk factor for uterine cancer. A body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9 indicates that you’re overweight and twice as likely (compared to women at a healthy weight) to get uterine cancer. You’re three times as likely to be diagnosed with uterine cancer if you’re obese and have a BMI of 30 or higher. Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce your risk.
• Estrogen therapy. Many women will treat menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, with hormone replacement therapy—primarily estrogen treatment. However, supplementing estrogen without also supplementing progesterone increases your risk of endometrial or uterine cancer. Women who use a combination of estrogen and progesterone therapy do not have an increased risk of uterine cancer. Still, they face an increased risk of blood clots and breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about using the lowest recommended hormone replacement therapy dose for the shortest length of time.
• Menstrual cycles. The number of menstrual cycles (periods) you have during your lifetime can impact your uterine cancer risk. Women who have more periods—starting before 12 or having later menopause—have a higher risk. The more periods you have, the higher your risk. Women who have never been pregnant are also at an increased risk.
• Diabetes. If you have Type 2 diabetes, you have double the risk for uterine cancer. This may be because diabetes often impacts people who are overweight or have obesity.

Get the answers you need

Uterine cancer typically causes symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, as well as pelvic pressure and pain—particularly after menopause. Vaginal bleeding after menopause is never “normal” once you stop having periods, so it’s important to immediately talk with your doctor about bleeding. If you have discharge or pelvic pressure and pain, talk to your doctor if symptoms last two weeks or more.

Unfortunately, there are no screenings for uterine cancer. If you have symptoms, your doctor may use a transvaginal ultrasound or perform an endometrial biopsy to get additional information, make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

Uterine cancer has a 96% five-year survival rate when it’s detected and treated while it’s contained in the uterus. Including cases after it’s spread, uterine cancer has an overall five-year survival rate of about 84%.

Even if you’re past menopause or you’ve had a hysterectomy, it’s still important to see your gynecologist for regular checkups—particularly if you’re experiencing symptoms of uterine cancer. Find a Touro OB/GYN who can help.