Endometrial Cancer: What You Need to Know

Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus.  The uterus is a female organ located in the pelvis.  This organ is hollow and pear-shaped, and is actually where a baby or fetus grows and develops when a woman is pregnant.  Endometrial cancer occurs when the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, sees abnormal changes.  These changes start in the top layer or surface cells of the lining and progress from there.  Currently, endometrial cancer is the most common female reproductive organ cancer.

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Although endometrial cancer is considered common, it is usually detected early when it can be treated most effectively.  The frequency of detection is due to endometrial cancer’s obvious symptom of vaginal bleeding.  Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a red flag for any woman, and will get them to the doctor rather quickly.  Treatment for endometrial cancer is surgical removal of the uterus.  If the cancer is found early, this surgery is often curative. Further treatments include radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy if needed.

Most cases of endometrial cancer occur in women over the age of 55.  In some ways, this is helpful in that a woman of that age is very aware of her body especially what is normal and what is not when it comes to vaginal bleeding or pain.  The main symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding, as mentioned.  This includes bleeding between periods or after menopause when it should not be happening.  Some women do not experience any symptoms at all, but here are some signs to look for:

Symptoms:

• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
• Bleeding between periods
• Heavy menstruation or irregular menstruation
• Abnormal, watery, or blood-tinged discharge from your vagina
• Pain during intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Anemia
• Fatigue

Causes:

The exact cause is unknown, but research has shown that there is some type of genetic mutation which occurs within endometrial cells that cause this cancer of the uterus lining.  This mutation makes healthy cells abnormal, and cancerous.  As with any cancer, these abnormal cells grow and multiply crowding out and overwhelming healthy cells. When these abnormal cells accumulate they form a tumor, which can eventually invade other parts of the body and spread into what is known as metastatic cancer.

Who is at risk?

There are certain things that increase the risk of endometrial cancer, and for those who fall into high risk categories should be most aware of the symptoms to be looking for.  So what increases your risk of this cancer?

1.      Changes in the balance of female hormones in the body: hormone fluctuations can cause changes in your endometrium – this usually stems from some underlying illness like an ovarian tumor.

2.      Starting your period at a very young age, or beginning menopause at a later age

3.      Never having been pregnant

4.      Increased age

5.      Obesity

6.      Breast cancer hormone therapy (tamoxifen)

7.      Inherited colon cancer

Some preventative measures women can take are maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.  They should also be aware of the risks involved with taking hormone replacement therapies or and therapies which alter the normal balance of female hormones in the body.