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Endometrial Cancer

Risk Factors

  • Hormone Factors – A women’s hormone balance plays a part in the development of most endometrial cancers.
  • Estrogen Therapy – Doctors have found, however, that using estrogen alone (without progesterone) can lead to endometrial cancer in women who still have a uterus.
  • Number of Menstrual Cycles – Having more menstrual cycles during a woman’s lieftime raises her risk of endometrial cancer.
  • Obesity
  • Tamoxifen – Tamoxifen is a drug that is used to prevent & treat breast cancer.
  • Ovarian Tumors – A certain type of ovarian tumor, the granulosa-theca cell tumor increases risk.
  • Age – The risk increases as a woman gets older.
  • Diet & Exercise – A high-fat diet can increase the risk while exercise can protect against it.
  • Family History – An inherited tendency to develop colon cancer. This disorder is called hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC).
  • Breast or Ovarian Cancer – Increases risk.
  • Prior Pelvic Radiation Therapy – Used to treat some other cancers can damage the DNA of cells.
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia

Warning Signs & Symptoms

  • Vaginal bleeding – increasing in amount, occuring between periods, or occuring after menopause.
  • Unusual vaginal discharge
  • Irregular spotting
  • Pelvic pain

 

These signs and symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than endometrial cancer. For example, an infection can cause pain or bleeding. still, if you have any of these problems, you should see your health care professional right away — even if you have been getting regular Pap tests. If it is an infection, it will need to be treated. If it is cancer, ignoring symptoms may allow it to progress to a more advanced stage and lower chance for effective treatment.

Early Detection Saves Lives!

This information was provided by the American Cancer Society. © 2013 American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501[c][3] tax-exempt organization. www.cancer.org