Women achieving healthy body weight reduce risk of endometrial cancer

If any woman thought that losing weight past the age of 50 would be of no benefit, they need to reconsider that thought.  A recent study published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that in order to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, losing at least 5 percent of body weight resulted in a 29 percent reduction of the disease.

This large study looked at 36,794 American women between the ages of 50 and 79 reviewing data including an average of more than 10 years follow-up.  The women who lost weight, regardless of their age or how much they lost benefitted their chances of not developing endometrial cancer.  The study also found that obese women who lost 5 percent or more of their body weight had a 56 percent reduction in their risk.  However, women who had a weight gain of at least 10 pounds during the length of the study had a 26 percent increased risk of the cancer.

Researchers from the study stated that women should not feel that past a certain age, it is too late to try to lose some weight and get in better shape.  Even a moderate weight loss has a positive effect on reducing the risk of many cancers besides endometrial cancer. 

It needs to be pointed out that the study does not prove cause and effect between weight loss and endometrial cancer.

What is endometrial cancer?

Endometrial or also sometimes called uterine cancer is the fourth most common cancer for women in the United States. Other types of cancer can form in the uterus, including uterine sarcoma which is much less common than endometrial cancer.  It was estimated for 2016 that 60,050 women would be diagnosed with this cancer and 10,470 deaths would occur.  Endometrial cancer is on the rise mainly due to a rise in obesity which is considered to be a risk factor for it.

Endometrial cancer begins in the uterus which is the hollow, pear-shaped pelvic organ in women where a baby develops during pregnancy.  The cancer begins in the layer of cells that form the lining or endometrium of the uterus. It is often diagnosed at an early stage as it usually produces abnormal vaginal bleeding which most women will go to a doctor for.  If endometrial cancer is found and diagnosed early, removing the uterus surgically often cures the cancer. 

How women can reduce weight after age 50

By the time a woman has her 50th birthday many have already gone through or are going through menopause.  During this phase of a woman’s life, her metabolism and muscle mass decrease along with hormonal changes.   All of this can contribute to weight gain that can be more difficult to take off.

Here are a few suggestions on how a woman can beat back weight gain after age 50 reducing her risk of not only endometrial cancer but also other conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension:

·      Eat breakfast within an hour of waking. It helps to control the hunger hormone of ghrelin and sets up for better success throughout the day.

·      Do not skip meals.  Every three to four hours it is important to eat to control ghrelin and to maintain better blood sugar levels.

·      Have a combination of healthy carbohydrates (skip refined and processed carbs) and proteins at every meal and snack. Doing so gives a woman an optimal blend of nutritional elements to fight cravings, control hunger, gain energy and create a feeling of fullness.  Protein increases your metabolism while carbs lower ghrelin, helping with brain function and reducing cravings.  For example, for lunch have a salad with chicken or fish with a carb such as beans, lentils or brown rice.  Snack on an apple and a piece of turkey, low-fat cheese or a hard-boiled egg.

·      Keep hydrated.  Calorie-free water is essential for keeping up energy, aiding metabolism, burning fat and participating in chemical reactions. 

·      Make exercise regular and consistent.  Incorporate an assortment of physical activity to work out all muscle areas of the body.  This should include exercises for cardiovascular health (jogging, brisk walking bicycling, or swimming) strength and endurance training (lifting weights) and flexibility (yoga, Pilates or stretching).

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