Endometrial cancer is the most common form of cancer of the female reproductive organs in the U.S., with 67,880 new cases diagnosed each year. Over the past decades, rates have increased and endometrial cancer is one of the few cancers with an increasing mortality rate.
This is why it’s important to know what the causes of endometrial cancer are and how to lower your risk.
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Early Symptoms of Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins with the growth of cells in the uterus. Dr. Daniel Landau, MD , an oncologist, hematologist and contributor for The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com, explains that the first symptom of endometrial cancer is typically bleeding between menstrual cycles or while in menopause.
This bleeding, Dr. Landau says, can impact health by causing anemia and iron deficiency. “Additionally, it can cause pain and discomfort,” he adds.
Because these symptoms can be so disruptive, he says that endometrial cancer is typically caught early. However, if it isn’t caught early, the cancer can spread. “If this does occur, the treatments then become palliative rather than curative. Fortunately, most patients with endometrial cancer will live a long time after the diagnosis with a five-year survival rate of more than 80%,” Dr. Landau explains.
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What Causes Endometrial Cancer?
But what causes these symptoms to occur in the first place? Dr. Francisco Contreras, MD , the Director and President at Oasis of Hope Hospital, says that estrogen dominance is thought to be the main cause of endometrial cancer. “In normal circumstances, estrogen promotes the proliferation of the lining of the uterus during the menstrual cycle which is then neutralized by progesterone. If progesterone production is deficient, then the estrogen is ‘unopposed’ and proliferation of the endometrium leading to endometrial hyperplasia is dangerous and can lead to cancer,” he explains.
Dr. Contreras adds that the other cause of endometrial cancer is the exaggerated exposure to estrogen which can be endogenous (produced by our own bodies) or exogenous (ingested knowingly or unknowingly). For example, he says that hormone replacement therapy increases estrogen exposure, upping the risk.
While the causes of any cancer are complex, what’s clear is that excessive estrogen can cause endometrial cancer.
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How to Lower Your Risk
Both doctors say that there are ways to lower your risk of endometrial cancer. One is to maintain a healthy weight. “Fatty tissue produces estrogen. The more you have, the more estrogen levels will rise,” Dr. Contreras says. According to scientific research , more than half of endometrial cancers are due to obesity.
If you drink coffee, you already have a habit in place that may lower your risk of endometrial cancer. Scientific research shows that the components that coffee consists of have protective qualities. The best part? You’ll still benefit whether your coffee is caffeinated or decaffeinated.
Some data suggest that using a hormonal contraceptive with both estrogen and progesterone (such as the birth control pill or IUD) lowers the risk of endometrial cancer. The risk of endometrial cancer is reduced by an estimated 30% and the protective effect of hormonal birth control against endometrial cancer increases the longer someone is on it.
Last, be proactive about your health by talking to your doctor about any changes you may be experiencing that are unusual for you. It bears repeating that the first symptom of endometrial cancer is often bleeding between periods or while in menopause. If this is something you are experiencing, take it seriously and bring it up to your healthcare provider. Experiencing this symptom doesn’t automatically mean you have endometrial cancer, but cancer caught early has a better prognosis than cancer caught late.
If you have any questions about endometrial cancer including your individual risks, ask your healthcare provider. Together, you can find ways to lower your risk.
Next up, see what an oncologist eats for dinner with cancer prevention in mind.
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