Causes and Risk Factors for Endometrial Cancer

There are quite a few risk factors of endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is a cancer affecting the uterus. Research tells us the estrogen plays a large role in the development of endometrial cancer. In fact, most risk factors of endometrial cancer are estrogen related.

Risk factors for endometrial cancer include:

Starting your period at a young age.

Starting your period before the age of 12 exposes the uterus to more estrogen, thus increasing your risk factor.

Beginning menopause later in life.

Starting the 'change of life' later than most can increase your risk factor for uterine cancer. Again, this is connected to estrogen and your uterus being exposed to it for a longer period of time.

Infertility or having never given birth increases your endometrial cancer risk.

When a woman is pregnant, her body produces more progesterone than estrogen. So, during pregnancy, there is less exposure to estrogen.


Obesity

Being obese can increase your risk for endometrial cancer by 2 to 5 times, depending on how overweight the person is. Fat tissue has the ability to transform other hormones into estrogen, thus increasing the the factor.

Consumption of animal fat has a direct and indirect impact on endometrial cancer development.

A diet high in animal fat is not good for the body at all. It puts on extra pounds, which can lead to obesity, thus increasing the risk for many cancers. Many researchers believe that animal fats disturb estrogen metabolism, which increases the risk factor for endometrial cancer.

Family history of endometrial cancer

If endometrial cancer runs in the family, genetic testing or counseling may be a good isea. Usually when endometrial cancer runs in a family, there is a colon cancer called hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), an inherited type of cancer. About 50% of women with this disorder will develop endometrial cancer.

Previous radiation therpay to the pelvic area

Having radiation can cause damage to DNA, thus causing another tpe of cancer. If yo have had prior radiation treatment to the pelvic area, you may have an increased risk factor for endometrial cancer.

Use of ERT's, or Estrogen Replacement Therapy

ERTs were once presribed to combat the side effects of menopause, like hot flashes and osteoporosis. Studies have shown that the use of these ERT's may increase a womans risk factor for endometrial cancer by 5 times. Today, estrogen replace therapy are combined with progesterone are less risky. This hormone therapy is called hormone replacement therapy.

Use of Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen drug used to treat breast cancer. However, it acts like estrogen to the uterus. This can cause the lining of the uterus to grow, directly increasing the endometrial cancer risk factor.

A word about risk factors...

Keep in mind that having a risk factor for a disease does not mean that you will absolutely develop it. If you have an increased risk for endometrial cancer, talk to your doctor about it. Together, you may be able to develop a plan to lower the risk factor or at least be more careful for symptoms or a more in depth screening process.