Several reports have been published in the past few months saying that the rate of uterine cancer has risen significantly over the past decade in the US. More importantly, the death rate in women diagnosed with this cancer has also increased.
As reported in the New York Times in June 2022, the incidence has risen roughly two percent annually between 2010 and 2020. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Oncology publication also highlights the trend that the trend is even steeper in Black, Asian and Hispanic women.
There are a few main subtypes of uterine cancer – endometrial, endometrioid and non-endometrioid. Currently, about nine out of ten uterine cancers begin in the endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus.Â
Endometrial cancer deaths in the United States have remained steady, but the death rate from aggressive non-endometrioid tumors rose by 2.7% each year. Black women had worse outcomes for both subtypes than others.
What is Uterine Cancer?
Uterine cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the uterus, a hollow, muscular organ in a woman’s pelvis that contains and nourishes the developing fetus (a baby). Uterine tumors are abnormal growths of cells within the uterus. These can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body. In contrast, malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues or spread to distant sites such as lymph nodes or other organs. Until now it was the fourth most common cancer among women. If the current trends of increase continue, it will probably overtake colorectal cancer as the third most common cancer among women by 2040. The American Cancer Society estimates that uterine cancer will affect about one in thirty-two women during their lifetime.What are the causes of uterine cancer?
Uterine cancers arise from cells which form in the tissue lining the uterus called the endometrium. It creates a thickened lining to provide nutrients to an embryo if pregnancy occurs. The endometrium also sheds each month as part of menstruation.What are the Risk Factors for Developing Uterine Cancer?
Uterine cancer is a leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers. The risk factors for developing uterine cancer are age, race, ethnicity, family history, use of hormone replacement therapy and reproductive history. There are ways to prevent uterine cancer by avoiding known risk factors like smoking or using hormone replacement therapy. The symptoms of uterine cancer are:- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Painful urination
- Painful sex
- Lower back pain
- Pelvic pain
- Vaginal bleeding
How Can I Reduce My Risk of Developing Uterine Cancer?
The risk of developing uterine cancer can be reduced by taking a few steps. These steps include avoiding high-risk pregnancies, getting regular pelvic exams, or by treatment with progesterone. Getting regular screenings and avoiding risky behaviors like smoking cigarettes or excessive use of alcohol or recreational drugs can also reduce the risk.Risk Factors for Developing Uterine Cancer
The risk factors for uterine cancer are not entirely understood. Still, experts believe that genetics, hormone levels, and environmental exposures may all play a role. Research has shown that uterine neoplasms are more common among women with a family history of uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or other gynecological cancers, were exposed to X-ray radiation from obstetric imaging studies, or have given birth to two or more children in close succession. The risk of developing uterine cancer increases with age for those who have not given birth. Some of the main risk factors for uterine cancer include:- Age or onset of menopause (mid to late forties)
- Cigarette smoking
- Exposure to diethylstilbestrol in utero during pregnancy
- Obesity (BMI greater than 30)
- Ovarian cancer
- Family history of uterine or ovarian cancerÂ
- Personal history of breast cancer
- Personal history of hormone therapy for cancer treatmentÂ
- Use of intrauterine device (IUD)
