Endometrial cancer, which is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the uterus, most commonly affects postmenopausal women. The average age of diagnosis is 60 and women younger than 45 are rarely diagnosed.
Certainly, all cancers are complicated and one’s health is impacted by myriad factors, but what is known about endometrial cancer is that hormone imbalance increases the risk . Because of this, it’s helpful to know about the role hormones play in endometrial cancer and how to bring more balance to your body if your hormones are out of sync.
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The Role Hormones Play in Endometrial Cancer
Dr. Francisco Contreras, MD , the Director and President at Oasis of Hope Hospital, explains that it’s believed that the primary cause of endometrial cancer is the dominance of estrogen in the body. There are many different reasons why this can happen. Sometimes it happens because the body is making too much estrogen . For example, individuals who have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at an increased risk of endometrial cancer because they have abnormal hormone levels (most commonly high estrogen and low progesterone).
Obesity also increases the amount of estrogen in the body, which in turn increases the risk of endometrial cancer. Dr. Contreras explains that this is because fatty tissue produces estrogen. According to scientific research , more than half of endometrial cancers are due to obesity.
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Experiencing high levels of stress can also cause estrogen dominance. This is because stress causes the body to secrete more of the hormone cortisol, which decreases the amount of progesterone in the body.
These are all reasons why there can be an excessive amount of estrogen in the body, but how does that lead to endometrial cancer? Cancer researchers and doctors are still not clear exactly why, but what is known is that while estrogen plays an important role in the body, it is also a carcinogen and can cause tumors to grow. Too much estrogen doesn’t just increase the risk of endometrial cancer; it can cause breast cancer and ovarian cancer too.
How To Balance Your Hormones and Lower Your Risk of Endometrial Cancer
Since it’s known that hormone imbalance increases the risk of endometrial cancer, it makes sense that hormone balance lowers the risk. “Hormonal balance seems to be one of the keys in protecting oneself from endometrial cancer, says Dr. Daniel Landau, MD , an oncologist, hematologist and contributor for The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com.
Both oncologists say that there are several ways to do this. One is doing your best to maintain a healthy weight since excessive body fat increases the amount of estrogen in the body. Drinking too much alcohol can raise estrogen levels and lower the body’s ability to metabolize estrogen, so while you are prioritizing healthy habits, it can be helpful to think about your alcohol consumption.
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Dr. Contreras recommends exercising four hours a week and eating a healthy diet to reduce the production of too much estrogen in the body. He also recommends eating organically grown vegetables and fruit that have no pesticides because he says pesticides are extremely chemically similar to estrogen .
Taking estrogen-based medication also increases the amount of estrogen in the body. “In years past, much more estrogen was prescribed as a way of diminishing hot flashes. This is no longer a standard practice. Birth control pills or IUDs are more commonly progesterone-based rather than estrogen-based. Or if they have estrogen, it is balanced with progesterone as well,” Dr. Landau explains.
If you are taking estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy or birth control that contains estrogen but not progesterone, it’s worth talking to your doctor about how this may increase your risk of endometrial cancer.
Last, since stress can increase cortisol in the body (which can then cause a hormonal imbalance), it’s important to have effective ways of managing stress in place. This can include exercise (including yoga), meditation and deep breathing exercises, spending time with friends or family or spending time doing a hobby that gives you joy.
If you have any questions or concerns about your risk of endometrial cancer—especially if there is a history of it in your family—talk to your healthcare provider. They will be happy to talk to you more about any potential risks and ways to ensure your hormones are balanced.
Next up, learn more about what "hormone imbalance" means and the signs to look out for.
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