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Uterine Cancer Risk Factors

Uterine cancer, better known medically as endometrial cancer, starts as a cancer in the endometrium cells, then spreads to surrounding organs. These cells belong to a group called carcinomas. Certain risk factors for uterine cancer are age, race, and genetics---these risks cannot be changed. Other risks are lifestyle choices, which may decrease the risks if changed.

  1. Estrogen Therapy

    • The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in menopause has been linked to the development of uterine cancer. HRT is used to treat the symptoms of menopause, brought on by declining levels of estrogen, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Hormone replacement therapy is given as an estrogen-only supplement or as a combination of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Taking HRT supplements without progesterone can lead to an increased risk of uterine cancer. A combination form of HRT must be taken to lower the risk, as suggested by the American Cancer Society.

    Endometrial Hyperplasia

    • Endometrial hyperplasia results from an overgrowth of endometrial tissue, located within the uterus. This condition comes from hormonal irregularities that cause the endometrial tissue to build up consistently without shedding. There are different types of endometrial hyperplasia; the most common form called mild or simple hyperplasia has the lowest uterine cancer risk. According to statistics given by the American Cancer Society, atypical hyperplasia turns into uterine cancer about 8 percent of the time, and complex atypical hyperplasia, if not treated, can become cancerous in 29 percent of cases.

    Tamoxifen

    • Tamoxifen is a medication prescribed to prevent and treat breast cancer. This drug acts as anti-estrogen in the breast's tissue, but it also acts as estrogen in the uterus. This increase in estrogen can cause the endometrial lining to overgrow, which increases the risks of developing uterine cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, this risk is small, occurring in just one of 500 women.

    Number of Menstrual Cycles

    • The more menstrual periods a woman has in her lifetime will increase her risk of developing uterine cancer. Starting your menses before the age of 12 and beginning menopause too late increases this risk directly. The risk of uterine cancer will not rise if your period began early and you started menopause early, or if you began your period late and started menopause late.

    Obesity

    • The hormone estrogen in a woman's body is contained in majority within the ovaries, but fat tissue can convert other hormones into estrogen as well. The more fat tissue a woman has, the higher her estrogen will increase. Women who are overweight are twice as likely than women at a normal weight to develop uterine cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

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