Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGeneticsHealth Risk FactorsLifestyle Risk FactorsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Genetics
Health Risk Factors
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Frequently Asked Questions
Endometrial canceraffects the lining of the uterus, theendometrium, and is the most common form of uterine cancer. This type of cancer occurs when the cells in the endometrium begin to mutate, multiply, and build up too rapidly, forming a mass or tumor. Endometrial cancer can spread to other parts of your body as well, but it’s typically diagnosed in the early stages. Although the direct causes of endometrial cancer are unknown, researchers have identified a genetic link and a number of risk factors for the disease, primarily related to excess exposure to estrogen.
A gene mutation or genetic disorder may increase your risk of endometrial cancer. With that in mind, some other cancers can be “red flags” for endometrial cancer risk, as they have the potential of having the same genetic underpinnings.
One genetic disorder that contributes to a high risk of endometrial cancer ishereditarynonpolyposis colorectalcancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch syndrome. This condition increases your risk of certain cancers, especially colon cancer, endometrial cancer (your likelihood of developing it is 40 percent to 60 percent), and ovarian cancer.You’re also more likely to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer at a younger age.
The gene mutation associated with HNPCC is passed from parents to children. If anyone in your family has HNPCC or if you’ve been diagnosed with it, talk to your healthcare provider about cancer screenings you should undertake.Being aware of your elevated risk and being proactive about testing can lead to early detection and successfultreatmentin the event that you develop cancer.
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Other genetic factors that may increase the risk of endometrial cancer include:
While risk factors may increase your chances of developing endometrial cancer, they do not mean you will get it or, if you do, that they necessarily caused the cancer. The American Cancer Society notes that many women with one or more risk factors never develop endometrial cancer, while some women who end up with this cancer have no known risk factors at all.
Endometrial cancer is more common in women beyond the age of menopause, so your risk increases as you get older (the mean age of diagnosis is 62).
Estrogen Exposure
While we cannot yet pinpoint exactly what causes endometrial cancer, studies suggest that higher levels of estrogen and longer exposure to estrogen over many years may be associated with endometrial cancer development.
Estrogen is a naturally occurring hormone made in the ovaries, along with the hormone progesterone. These hormone levels fluctuate during your menstrual cycle. During and after menopause, the body stops producing these hormones, which is what causes symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, andvaginal dryness.
Excess estrogen exposure can occur in these situations:
Certain Illnesses
If you have or have had any of these conditions, your risk of developing endometrial cancer is higher:
Pelvic radiation therapy, used to kill some types of cancer, can cause damage to the DNA of other cells, which may increase the risk of developing a secondary cancer, including endometrial cancer.
There are some lifestyle risk factors that can contribute to your risk of developing endometrial cancer as well, including:
Mental and emotional stress often is seen as a risk factor for physical illness, but this may not be so with endometrial cancer—at least according to one study. It found, in fact, that stress appeared to lower the risk of endometrial cancer somewhat. The researchers hypothesize stress changes how the body makes estrogen and how the uterus responds to it.
Some things known to help prevent endometrial cancer include:
Type 1 endometrial cancer, the most common type, grows slowly and stays within the uterus. Type 2 endometrial cancer progresses more quickly and can metastasize (spread) to distant body parts.
Rarely. It usually is diagnosed early and is highly treatable. In fact, 90% of people who have type 1 endometrial cancer arefree of cancerfive or more years after being treated.
How Endometrial Cancer Is Diagnosed
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Meyer LA, Broaddus RR, Lu KH.Endometrial cancer and Lynch syndrome: clinical and pathologic considerations. Cancer Control. 2009;16(1):14-22. doi:10.1177/107327480901600103BRCA1 Mutation Linked to Higher Risk of Specific Type of Uterine Cancer. Breastcancer.org.Cowden syndrome - Genetics Home Reference - NIH. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer Society.Mallozzi M, Leone C, Manurita F, Bellati F, Caserta D.Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Endometrial Cancer: An Overview of Recent Laboratory Evidence and Epidemiological Studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(3) doi:10.3390/ijerph14030334Hu R, Hilakivi-clarke L, Clarke R.Molecular mechanisms of tamoxifen-associated endometrial cancer (Review). Oncol Lett. 2015;9(4):1495-1501. doi:10.3892/ol.2015.2962Ding DC, Chen W, Wang JH, Lin SZ.Association between polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(39):e12608. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012608Gong TT, Wang YL, Ma XX.Age at menarche and endometrial cancer risk: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sci Rep. 2015;5:14051. doi:10.1038/srep14051Shaw E, Farris M, Mcneil J, Friedenreich C.Obesity and Endometrial Cancer. Recent Results Cancer Res. 2016;208:107-136. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-42542-9_7Pocobelli G, Doherty JA, Voigt LF, et al.Pregnancy history and risk of endometrial cancer. Epidemiology. 2011;22(5):638-45. doi:10.1097/EDE.0b013e3182263018John EM, Koo J, Horn-ross PL.Lifetime physical activity and risk of endometrial cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010;19(5):1276-83. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-09-1316Zhao J, Lyu C, Gao J, et al.Dietary fat intake and endometrial cancer risk: A dose response meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(27):e4121. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004121Nielsen NR, Strandberg-Larsen K, Grønbaek M, et al.Self-reported stress and risk of endometrial cancer: a prospective cohort study.Psychosom Med. 2007;69(4):383-389. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e31804301d3National Cancer Institute.Endometrial cancer prevention (PDQ)—Patient version.Winder AA, Kularatna M, MacCormick AD.Does bariatric surgery affect the incidence of endometrial cancer development? A systematic review.Obes Surg. 2018;28(5):1433-1440. doi:10.1007/s11695-018-3151-xAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial cancer.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors.Chen L-M, Berek JS.Endometrial Carcinoma: Epidemiology and Risk Factors. UpToDate.Genetics Home Reference.Cowden Syndrome. National Institutes of Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Mayo Clinic Staff.Endometrial Cancer. Mayo Clinic.MedlinePlus.Endometrial Cancer. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Meyer LA, Broaddus RR, Lu KH.Endometrial cancer and Lynch syndrome: clinical and pathologic considerations. Cancer Control. 2009;16(1):14-22. doi:10.1177/107327480901600103BRCA1 Mutation Linked to Higher Risk of Specific Type of Uterine Cancer. Breastcancer.org.Cowden syndrome - Genetics Home Reference - NIH. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer Society.Mallozzi M, Leone C, Manurita F, Bellati F, Caserta D.Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Endometrial Cancer: An Overview of Recent Laboratory Evidence and Epidemiological Studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(3) doi:10.3390/ijerph14030334Hu R, Hilakivi-clarke L, Clarke R.Molecular mechanisms of tamoxifen-associated endometrial cancer (Review). Oncol Lett. 2015;9(4):1495-1501. doi:10.3892/ol.2015.2962Ding DC, Chen W, Wang JH, Lin SZ.Association between polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(39):e12608. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012608Gong TT, Wang YL, Ma XX.Age at menarche and endometrial cancer risk: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sci Rep. 2015;5:14051. doi:10.1038/srep14051Shaw E, Farris M, Mcneil J, Friedenreich C.Obesity and Endometrial Cancer. Recent Results Cancer Res. 2016;208:107-136. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-42542-9_7Pocobelli G, Doherty JA, Voigt LF, et al.Pregnancy history and risk of endometrial cancer. Epidemiology. 2011;22(5):638-45. doi:10.1097/EDE.0b013e3182263018John EM, Koo J, Horn-ross PL.Lifetime physical activity and risk of endometrial cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010;19(5):1276-83. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-09-1316Zhao J, Lyu C, Gao J, et al.Dietary fat intake and endometrial cancer risk: A dose response meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(27):e4121. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004121Nielsen NR, Strandberg-Larsen K, Grønbaek M, et al.Self-reported stress and risk of endometrial cancer: a prospective cohort study.Psychosom Med. 2007;69(4):383-389. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e31804301d3National Cancer Institute.Endometrial cancer prevention (PDQ)—Patient version.Winder AA, Kularatna M, MacCormick AD.Does bariatric surgery affect the incidence of endometrial cancer development? A systematic review.Obes Surg. 2018;28(5):1433-1440. doi:10.1007/s11695-018-3151-xAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial cancer.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors.Chen L-M, Berek JS.Endometrial Carcinoma: Epidemiology and Risk Factors. UpToDate.Genetics Home Reference.Cowden Syndrome. National Institutes of Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Mayo Clinic Staff.Endometrial Cancer. Mayo Clinic.MedlinePlus.Endometrial Cancer. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Meyer LA, Broaddus RR, Lu KH.Endometrial cancer and Lynch syndrome: clinical and pathologic considerations. Cancer Control. 2009;16(1):14-22. doi:10.1177/107327480901600103BRCA1 Mutation Linked to Higher Risk of Specific Type of Uterine Cancer. Breastcancer.org.Cowden syndrome - Genetics Home Reference - NIH. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer Society.Mallozzi M, Leone C, Manurita F, Bellati F, Caserta D.Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Endometrial Cancer: An Overview of Recent Laboratory Evidence and Epidemiological Studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(3) doi:10.3390/ijerph14030334Hu R, Hilakivi-clarke L, Clarke R.Molecular mechanisms of tamoxifen-associated endometrial cancer (Review). Oncol Lett. 2015;9(4):1495-1501. doi:10.3892/ol.2015.2962Ding DC, Chen W, Wang JH, Lin SZ.Association between polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(39):e12608. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012608Gong TT, Wang YL, Ma XX.Age at menarche and endometrial cancer risk: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sci Rep. 2015;5:14051. doi:10.1038/srep14051Shaw E, Farris M, Mcneil J, Friedenreich C.Obesity and Endometrial Cancer. Recent Results Cancer Res. 2016;208:107-136. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-42542-9_7Pocobelli G, Doherty JA, Voigt LF, et al.Pregnancy history and risk of endometrial cancer. Epidemiology. 2011;22(5):638-45. doi:10.1097/EDE.0b013e3182263018John EM, Koo J, Horn-ross PL.Lifetime physical activity and risk of endometrial cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010;19(5):1276-83. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-09-1316Zhao J, Lyu C, Gao J, et al.Dietary fat intake and endometrial cancer risk: A dose response meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(27):e4121. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004121Nielsen NR, Strandberg-Larsen K, Grønbaek M, et al.Self-reported stress and risk of endometrial cancer: a prospective cohort study.Psychosom Med. 2007;69(4):383-389. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e31804301d3National Cancer Institute.Endometrial cancer prevention (PDQ)—Patient version.Winder AA, Kularatna M, MacCormick AD.Does bariatric surgery affect the incidence of endometrial cancer development? A systematic review.Obes Surg. 2018;28(5):1433-1440. doi:10.1007/s11695-018-3151-xAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial cancer.
Meyer LA, Broaddus RR, Lu KH.Endometrial cancer and Lynch syndrome: clinical and pathologic considerations. Cancer Control. 2009;16(1):14-22. doi:10.1177/107327480901600103
BRCA1 Mutation Linked to Higher Risk of Specific Type of Uterine Cancer. Breastcancer.org.
Cowden syndrome - Genetics Home Reference - NIH. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors. American Cancer Society.
Mallozzi M, Leone C, Manurita F, Bellati F, Caserta D.Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Endometrial Cancer: An Overview of Recent Laboratory Evidence and Epidemiological Studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(3) doi:10.3390/ijerph14030334
Hu R, Hilakivi-clarke L, Clarke R.Molecular mechanisms of tamoxifen-associated endometrial cancer (Review). Oncol Lett. 2015;9(4):1495-1501. doi:10.3892/ol.2015.2962
Ding DC, Chen W, Wang JH, Lin SZ.Association between polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer: A population-based cohort study in Taiwan. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(39):e12608. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012608
Gong TT, Wang YL, Ma XX.Age at menarche and endometrial cancer risk: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sci Rep. 2015;5:14051. doi:10.1038/srep14051
Shaw E, Farris M, Mcneil J, Friedenreich C.Obesity and Endometrial Cancer. Recent Results Cancer Res. 2016;208:107-136. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-42542-9_7
Pocobelli G, Doherty JA, Voigt LF, et al.Pregnancy history and risk of endometrial cancer. Epidemiology. 2011;22(5):638-45. doi:10.1097/EDE.0b013e3182263018
John EM, Koo J, Horn-ross PL.Lifetime physical activity and risk of endometrial cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010;19(5):1276-83. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-09-1316
Zhao J, Lyu C, Gao J, et al.Dietary fat intake and endometrial cancer risk: A dose response meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(27):e4121. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000004121
Nielsen NR, Strandberg-Larsen K, Grønbaek M, et al.Self-reported stress and risk of endometrial cancer: a prospective cohort study.Psychosom Med. 2007;69(4):383-389. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e31804301d3
National Cancer Institute.Endometrial cancer prevention (PDQ)—Patient version.
Winder AA, Kularatna M, MacCormick AD.Does bariatric surgery affect the incidence of endometrial cancer development? A systematic review.Obes Surg. 2018;28(5):1433-1440. doi:10.1007/s11695-018-3151-x
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial cancer.
American Cancer Society.Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors.Chen L-M, Berek JS.Endometrial Carcinoma: Epidemiology and Risk Factors. UpToDate.Genetics Home Reference.Cowden Syndrome. National Institutes of Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine.Mayo Clinic Staff.Endometrial Cancer. Mayo Clinic.MedlinePlus.Endometrial Cancer. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
American Cancer Society.Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors.
Chen L-M, Berek JS.Endometrial Carcinoma: Epidemiology and Risk Factors. UpToDate.
Genetics Home Reference.Cowden Syndrome. National Institutes of Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Mayo Clinic Staff.Endometrial Cancer. Mayo Clinic.
MedlinePlus.Endometrial Cancer. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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