Risk Factors for Uterine Cancer
List of Risk Factors for Uterine Cancer
The list of risk factors mentioned for Uterine Cancer
in various sources
includes:
Risk factors discussion:
Uterine Cancer: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Currently, there has been little insight into the exact causes for
uterine cancer. However, 10-25 percent of malignancies occur in women who
received pelvic radiation five to 25 years earlier for benign bleeding. As
in other cancers of its type, risk factors for uterine cancer include
diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and improper estrogen levels.. (Source: excerpt from Uterine Cancer: NWHIC)
What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI (Excerpt)
Some
evidence suggests a link between a high-fat diet and certain
cancers, such as cancers of the colon, uterus, and prostate.
Being seriously overweight may be linked to breast cancer
among older women and to cancers of the prostate, pancreas,
uterus, colon, and ovary. On the other hand, some studies
suggest that foods containing fiber and certain nutrients
may help protect against some types of cancer. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI)
What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI (Excerpt)
Doctors may recommend
HRT, using either estrogen
alone or estrogen in combination with progesterone ,
to control symptoms (such as hot flashes and vaginal
dryness) that may occur during menopause. Studies have shown
that the use of estrogen alone increases the risk of cancer
of the uterus. Therefore, most doctors prescribe HRT that
includes progesterone along with low doses of estrogen.
Progesterone counteracts estrogen's harmful effect on the
uterus by preventing overgrowth of the lining of the uterus;
this overgrowth is associated with taking estrogen alone.
(Estrogen alone may be prescribed for women who have had a
hysterectomy ,
surgery to remove the uterus, and are, therefore, not at
risk for cancer of the uterus.) Other studies show an
increased risk of breast cancer among women who have used
estrogen for a long time; and some research suggests that
the risk might be higher among those who have used estrogen
and progesterone together. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI)
What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Uterus: NCI (Excerpt)
Studies have found the following risk factors:
-
Age. Cancer of the uterus occurs mostly in women
over age 50.
-
Endometrial hyperplasia. The risk of uterine
cancer is higher if a woman has endometrial
hyperplasia . This condition and its treatment are
described above.
-
Hormone
replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is used to
control the symptoms of menopause, to prevent osteoporosis
(thinning of the bones), and to reduce the risk of heart
disease or stroke.
Women who use estrogen
without progesterone
have an increased risk of uterine cancer. Long-term use and
large doses of estrogen seem to increase this risk. Women
who use a combination of estrogen and progesterone have a
lower risk of uterine cancer than women who use estrogen
alone. The progesterone protects the uterus.
Women should discuss the benefits and risks of HRT with
their doctor. Also, having regular checkups while taking HRT
may improve the chance that the doctor will find uterine
cancer at an early stage, if it does develop.
-
Obesity and related conditions. The body makes
some of its estrogen in fatty tissue. That's why obese women
are more likely than thin women to have higher levels of
estrogen in their bodies. High levels of estrogen may be the
reason that obese women have an increased risk of developing
uterine cancer. The risk of this disease is also higher in
women with diabetes or high blood pressure (conditions that
occur in many obese women).
-
Tamoxifen .
Women taking the drug tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast
cancer have an increased risk of uterine cancer. This risk
appears to be related to the estrogen-like effect of this
drug on the uterus. Doctors monitor women taking tamoxifen
for possible signs or symptoms of uterine cancer.
The benefits of tamoxifen to treat breast cancer outweigh
the risk of developing other cancers. Still, each woman is
different. Any woman considering taking tamoxifen should
discuss with the doctor her personal and family medical
history and her concerns.
-
Race. White women are more likely than
African-American women to get uterine cancer.
-
Colorectal
cancer. Women who have had an inherited form of
colorectal cancer have a higher risk of developing uterine
cancer than other women.
Other risk factors are related to how long a woman's body
is exposed to estrogen. Women who have no children, begin
menstruation at a very young age, or enter menopause late in
life are exposed to estrogen longer and have a higher
risk. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Uterus: NCI)
Risks factors for Uterine Cancer: medical news summaries:
The following medical news items
are relevant to risk factors for Uterine Cancer:
About risk factors:
Risk factors for Uterine Cancer are factors that do not seem
to be a direct cause of the disease,
but seem to be associated in some way.
Having a risk factor for Uterine Cancer
makes the chances
of getting a condition higher but does
not always lead to Uterine Cancer.
Also, the absence of any risk factors
or having a protective factor does not necessarily
guard you against getting Uterine Cancer.
For general information and a list of risk factors,
see the risk center.
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