It’s important to be aware of the risk factors for uterine cancer, as it is impossible to predict if and when the disease will occur. Over 60,000 women are diagnosed with endometrial and uterine sarcoma every year, which are the two most common types of uterine cancer. Uterine cancer occurs when the mechanisms that regulate cell division and growth are disabled due to DNA mutations in uterine cells....CONTINUE READING
The majority of cancer cells in the uterus are found in the endometrium, which is the inner lining of the uterus, and this type of cancer is called endometrial cancer. Although the exact cause of uterine cancer is unknown, certain risk factors such as obesity and high blood sugar levels are strongly associated with the condition.
Different risk factors exist for uterine sarcoma and endometrial cancer, and having one or more risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get uterine cancer. Likewise, the absence of any common risk factors does not guarantee that you will not develop cancer. According to Mayo Clinic, here are four risk factors for uterine cancer:
1. Being overweight: Older, overweight women are at higher risk of developing endometrial cancer because fat tissues produce more estrogen, especially after menopause. Women with a higher BMI have a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer.
2. Use of unopposed estrogen: Taking estrogen-containing pills or supplements without progesterone, which balances estrogen, is referred to as unopposed estrogen usage. Patients with breast cancer who take tamoxifen, a non-hormonal drug, are an example of those who could increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
3. Use of the drug Tamoxifen: The risk of endometrial cancer is increased when tamoxifen is used after menopause, and the dosage and length of treatment may affect the extent of this risk. Patients taking tamoxifen should discuss the medication’s benefits and risks with their doctors.
4. Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol increases estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which raises the risk of endometrial cancer.
