SHARES
Endometrial cancer or uterine cancer, like its name suggests, is a type of cancer that begins in the uterus or womb. Latest research has shown that endometrial cancer has seen a steady increase in rapidly developing Asian countries, cementing it as one of the top 10 cancers among women.
Overview
The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ where fetal development occurs during pregnancy. It comprises on two main layers: the endometrium which is the inner lining, and the myometrium which is the muscle layer.
Endometrial cancer occurs when carcinoma cells form in the endometrium. Other types of cancers can also form in the uterus. For instance, uterine sarcomas begin in the muscle layer, but they are less common than endometrial cancer.
Symptoms
Endometrial cancer is often detected early due to abnormal vagina bleeding, which is the most common sign of issues arising in the uterus. This includes vaginal bleeding after menopause, irregular menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods. Abnormal vaginal discharge and pelvic pain are also other signs of endometrial cancer.
Causes and Risks
Factors associated with endometrial cancer include:
- Changes in hormonal balance. The ovaries produce two main hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Changes in the endometrium occur when these hormones fluctuate, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer. For instance, taking estrogen stimulation pills, particularly after menopause, can result in hormonal imbalance.
- Obesity/ Diabetes/ Hypertension. These weight-related factors increase the risk of endometrial cancer because the excess body fat can cause hormonal imbalance.
- Old age. Although endometrial cancer can occur in women of any age, there is a higher risk of older women developing it, particularly in those who have undergone menopause.
- Larger number of menstrual cycles. Having your menstruation at an early age and/or experiencing menopause at a later age increases the risk of endometrial cancer. This is because the endometrium has more exposure to estrogen fluctuation.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome have abnormal hormone levels, which raises the risk of endometrial cancer.
Prevention
Ways to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight. As with most chronic illnesses, your weight plays an important role in reducing the likelihood of diseases. One way to do so is to be physically active. That includes maintaining a good level of activity in your daily life (e.g. walking for at least 30-60 minutes a day).
- Consulting a doctor regarding hormone therapy. Hormone therapy can help to control menopause symptoms, but it is essential to consult your doctor about the risks of doing so. Besides endometrial cancer, hormone therapy may also increase the risk of breast cancer. However, studies have also shown that combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) of estrogen and progestin can actually reduce the likelihood of developing endometrial cancer. Therefore, consult your doctor and weight the benefits and risks of hormone therapy first.
- Treating endometrial conditions. Most endometrial cancers potentially stem from abnormalities present in your endometrium. Hence, if there are other problems affecting your endometrium, receive prompt treatment before they start developing into something more serious.
If you experience symptoms that worry you, consult your primary care physician or a doctor who specialises in cancers related to the female reproductive system, such as gynecologic oncologists. You can make an appointment with one on GetDoc today.
References
National Cancer Centre Singapore
by waiyee
Film junkie. Matcha drinker. Dog lady. Will write for food. View all articles by waiyee.
