In a previous article, we learned what uterine cancer is, but what is our risk for developing this disease? A woman's risk of developing uterine cancer is related to her lifetime exposure to the female hormone, estrogen. Anything that increases a woman's exposure to estrogen also increases her risk.
Things that can contribute to an elevated estrogen level are:
- A woman's period starting at an early age (before the age of 12).
- Late menopause (after the age of 52).
- Never having children.
- A history of not ovulating.
- Tamoxifen (a hormonal drug used to treat and reduce the risk of breast cancer).
- Estrogen replacement therapy (used to treat menopausal symptoms)
- Race. White women are more likely than African-American women to get uterine cancer.
- Colon cancer. Women who have had an inherited form of colon cancer have a higher risk of developing uterine cancer than other women.
As well as these, other factors can include diabetes, gallbladder disease, hypertension, and obesity.
Fortunately, the symptoms of uterine cancer usually appear during the early stages of the disease, when it is very treatable. Uterine cancer has the lowest death rate of any of the cancer.
Women with known risk factors that are completely aware of this and those who are concerned seriously about uterine cancer should ask their doctor about the symptoms to watch for and how often to have checkups. The doctor's advice will be based on the woman's age, medical history, and other factors that he or she will take to concern.
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