Uterine Cancer is a type of pelvic cancer. Uterine cancer affects the structures and organs in the pelvis. The pelvic area is the lower portion of the trunk of a genetic female body. The pelvis contains the:
- Pelvic bones
- Bladder
- Rectum
- Reproductive organs
Uterine cancers can be either:
- Endometrial cancer (common) or
- Uterine sarcoma (rare)
Endometrial cancer is curable. Uterine sarcoma is more aggressive and it’s harder to treat.
Risk Factors
These factors may increase your chance of getting uterine cancer.
- Being over 50 years old
- Being obese
- Taking only estrogenAny of a group of steroid hormones which promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body. Such hormones are also used in oral contraceptives or menopausal hormone therapies.estrogen for hormone replacement during menopauseA normal natural event defined by a women’s final menstrual period and confirmed after 12 months of no menstrual bleeding with no other cause.menopause
- Having trouble getting pregnant
- Having less than five periods in a year before starting menopause
- Taking TamoxifenA synthetic drug used to treat breast cancer and infertility in women. It acts as an estrogen antagonist.Tamoxifen
- Having close family members who have had:
- Uterine cancer
- Colon cancer
- Ovarian cancer
Prevention
You can’t prevent uterine cancer, but you can lower your chance of getting it. This includes:
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding. Estrogen levels are lower during pregnancy. Estrogen levels are also lower when breast-feeding. The risk of endometrial cancer is also lower in women who’ve had children. Breastfeeding also decreases the risk of endometrial cancer.
- Combining estrogen and ProgestinA form of progesterone; the hormone that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy progestin. This is found in combined oral contraceptives.
- Losing weight
- Being physically active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Using combined hormone therapy instead of estrogen-only hormone therapy
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of uterine cancer include:
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic pressure
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Last Updated: August 08, 2023