Uterine cancer risk factors
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Risk Factors
Clinical data has suggested that the development of uterine cancer is related to several factors. Abnormal estrogen levels may be the most important indicator.
Hormone levels: Any change in the balance of estrogen and progesterone that leads to the production of more estrogen increases the risk for developing endometrial cancer.
- Estrogen therapy: Clinical data shows the use of estrogen without progesterone can lead to endometrial cancer.
- Birth control pills: Clinical observations suggest that the use of birth control pills can lower the risk of endometrial cancer.
- Total number of menstrual cycles: Medical studies show that more menstrual cycles during a woman’s lifetime raises her risk of endometrial cancer.
- Pregnancy: Studies show that a higher number of pregnancies may protect against endometrial cancer because of the the shift towards more progesterone during the pregnancy period.
- Obesity: Besides ovaries, estrogen can also be produced by fat tissue. So, women with more fat tissue in their bodies have higher risk of developing endometrial cancer. After menopause, estrogen produced by the fat tissue has a larger influence than it did before menopause.
- Tamoxifen: As a drug used to treat chest cancer, Tamoxifen effects the tissue in the chest and the tissue in the uterus very differently. It promotes the grow of the endometrium and increases the risk of endometrial cancer.
- Ovarian tumors: The granulosa-theca cell tumor, one type of ovarian tumor, can produce estrogen and increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome: This is a condition with abnormal hormone levels, such as higher estrogen levels and lower levels of progesterone. This can also increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
- A diet high in animal fat
Endometrial hyperplasia: Atypical hyperplasia is a precancerous lesion of endometrial cancer.
Prior pelvic radiation therapy: Radiation can increase the risk of endometrial cancer by damaging the DNA of cells.
Diabetes: Epidemiological data shows that endometrial cancer may be as much as four times more common in women with diabetes.
Family history: Clinical survey's show peeople with a family history of endometrial cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Age: The risk of endometrial cancer increases as women become older.