Uterine Cancer

“Most uterine cancers are found in women who are going through or who have gone through menopause—the time of life when your menstrual periods stop”.1

Umbrella

What may the Uterine Cancer Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cancer of the Uterus
  • Endometrial Cancer
  • Sarcoma of the Uterus
  • Uterine Cancer
  • Uterus Cancer
  • Womb Cancer

Uterus

What is the uterus?

DotS the definition of uterus may vary. The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) definition is:

“The uterus is the pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis (between the hip bones). The uterus, also called the womb, is where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant”.2

Uterine Cancer

What is uterine cancer?

DotS the definition of uterine cancer may vary. In Uterine Cancer: Types of Uterine Cancer the International Gynecologic Cancer Society’s (IGCS) definition is:

“Uterine cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the uterus, also known as the womb.

There are two primary types of uterine cancer:

  • Endometrial cancer, which is the most common form of uterine cancer. Endometrial cancer begins in the inner lining of the womb, known as the endometrium
  • Uterine sarcoma forms in the muscles and supporting tissues of the uterus. It is rare in comparison to other uterine cancers”.3

Uterine Cancer

Signs and Symptoms

What may be signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer?

In Uterine Cancer: Signs and Symptoms the IGCS explain:

“These are the most common signs and symptoms of uterine/endometrial cancer. If you experience any of these signs, always talk to your doctor, especially if you have the risk factors.

  • Vaginal bleeding after menopause
  • Bleeding between periods
  • An abnormal watery or blood-tinged vaginal discharge
  • Pelvic pain or pressure”.4

Uterine Cancer

Cause

What causes the most common type of uterine cancer, endometrial cancer?

In Womb Cancer: Risks and Cause of Womb Cancer the (United Kingdom) Cancer Research UK elaborate on:

“Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest risks of womb cancer in the UK. There are some other risk factors that can increase your risk of developing womb cancer”.5

Risk Factors

What are risk factors for uterine cancer?

In Uterine Cancer: Uterine Cancer Risk Factors – Conditions That Can Increase Risk Factors the CDC explain:

“There is no way to know for sure if you will get uterine cancer. Some women get it without being at high risk. However, several factors may increase the chance that you will get uterine cancer, including if you:

  • Are older than 50
  • Have obesity
  • Take estrogen by itself (without progesterone) for hormone replacement during menopause
  • Have had trouble getting pregnant, or have had fewer than five periods in a year before starting menopause
  • Take tamoxifen, a drug used to prevent and treat certain types of breast cancer
  • Have close family members who have had uterine, colon, or ovarian cancer.
  • Have a genetic mutation (change) that raises your risk, including BRCA1 or BRCA2, or one associated with Lynch syndrome.

If one or more of these things is true for you, it does not mean you will get uterine cancer. But you should speak with your doctor to see if he or she recommends more frequent exams”.6

Age

Is there an association between age and uterine cancer?

In Uterine Cancer: Fast Facts the IGCS note:

  • “Uterine cancer most frequently occurs in women over the age of 45, though it can affect younger women”.7

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and uterine cancer?

In Uterine Cancer: Uterine Cancer Basics – Types the CDC note:

Menopause“All women are at risk for uterine cancer as long as they have a uterus, and the risk increases with age. Most uterine cancers are found in women who are going through or who have gone through menopause—the time of life when your menstrual periods stop”.8

In Womb (Uterus) Cancer: Causes – Who Is More Likely To Get Womb Cancer the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

“Womb cancer is most common in women who’ve been through menopause. It can affect anyone with a womb.

You cannot get womb cancer if you’ve had surgery to remove your womb (hysterectomy)”.9

The American Cancer Society (ACS) note:

“The American Cancer Society recommends that at the time of menopause, all women should be told about the risks and symptoms of endometrial cancer. They should report any unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting to a health care provider”.10

High-Income Countries

Is there an association between high-income countries and uterine cancer?

In Uterine Cancer Awareness: June Is Uterine Cancer Awareness Month the IGCS elaborate on:

“Uterine cancer (also referred to as womb cancer, including endometrial cancer) is the 6th most common cancer in women worldwide and the most common gynecologic cancer diagnosed in North America, Europe, and Australia (high-income countries).

Incidence and mortality are on the rise, increasing more rapidly among black, Asian and Hispanic women in the United States, who also tend to be diagnosed at more advanced stages of disease when compared to white women”.11
Uterine Cancer

Pap Test

Does the Pap test screen for uterine cancer?

No. According to the CDC:

“There are no screening tests for uterine cancer in women who do not have any signs or symptoms. The Pap test does not screen for uterine cancer”.12

Does the Pap test screen for endometrial cancer?

No. The ACS note:

“There are no screening tests or exams to find endometrial cancer early in women who are at average risk and have no symptoms”.13

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have uterine cancer?

If you think you have uterine cancer, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Always seek medical advice if you have bleeding from your vagina after menopause”.14

In Womb (Uterus) Cancer: Overview – Get Your Symptoms Checked the NHS note:

“It’s important to get any symptoms of womb cancer checked as soon as possible. Finding it earlier makes it easier to treat”.15

Cancer Australia explain:

“If you have been told you have ‘cancer of the uterus’, ‘cancer of the womb’ or ‘uterine cancer’, and you are not sure if it is endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma, check with your doctor”.16

The CDC also note:

“If your doctor says that you have uterine cancer, ask to be referred to a gynecologic oncologist—a doctor who has been trained to treat gynecologic cancers, including uterine cancer. This doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan”.17

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Uterine Cancer?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Uterine Cancer?

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Links

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New or Updated

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  4. About Endometrial Cancer: What Is Endometrial Cancer?
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  9. Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Increase Cancer Risk? Does HRT Increase the Risk of Endometrial (Womb) Cancer?
  10. ECANA [Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African-Americans]
  11. Endometrial Cancer
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  16. Endometrial Cancer Prevention (PDQ)–Patient Version
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  19. Endometrial Cancer: About Endometrial Cancer
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  22. Endometrial Cancer: Symptoms
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  25. Foundationforwomenscancer.org [Foundation for Women’s Cancer, United States]
  26. Gynaecological Cancers
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  28. Gynecologic Cancers
  29. Gynecological Cancer At the Menopause
  30. How Cancer and Cancer Treatment Can Affect Sexuality
  31. Hysterectomy
  32. Hysterectomy
  33. Hysterectomy.org
  34. International Gynecologic Cancer Advocacy Network (IGCAN)
  35. International Gynecological Society
  36. Lynch Syndrome
  37. Lynch Syndrome [+ Video: What Is Lynch Syndrome?]
  38. Lynchsyndrome.com.au [Lynch Syndrome Australia]
  39. Mayo Clinic Minute: Know Options for Uterine Fibroids [+ Video]
  40. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Spotting, Perimenopause and Menopause
  41. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Understanding Endometrial Cancer
  42. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Why Are More People Dying of Uterine Cancer? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  44. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  45. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  46. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  47. New Treatment Options for Uterine Cancer
  48. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  49. Pap Smear: Still Needed After Hysterectomy?
  50. Postmenopausal Bleeding
  51. Premature and Early Menopause
  52. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
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  55. Sex and the Adult Female With Cancer
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  65. Uterine Cancer Awareness: June Is Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
  66. Uterine Cancer [+ Video: 4 Risk Factors of Uterine Cancer]
  67. Uterine Cancer: Reducing Risk for Uterine Cancer
  68. Uterine Cancer: Screening for Uterine Cancer
  69. Uterine Cancer: Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
  70. Uterine Cancer: Treatment of Uterine Cancer
  71. Uterine Cancer: Uterine Cancer Basics
  72. Uterine Cancer: Uterine Cancer Risk Factors
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  76. Uterine Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version [+ Image]
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  81. Vaginal Dryness
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  85. Video Series-2023: Premature and Early Menopause
  86. Video Series-2024: Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  87. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: How Do I Deal With the Menopause After A Diagnosis of Gynaecological Cancer
  88. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Menopause and Abnormal Bleeding
  89. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
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  93. What Is A Hysterectomy?
  94. What Is An Endometrial Biopsy?
  95. Womb (Uterus) Cancer
  96. Womb Cancer
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  98. Womb Cancer
  99. Womb Cancer: Symptoms
  100. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Uterine Cancer: Uterine Cancer Basics – Types. 27 October 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/uterine-cancer/about/ Accessed: 01 June 2024
  2. Uterine Cancer: Uterine Cancer Basics – What It Is. 27 October 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/uterine-cancer/about/ Accessed: 01 June 2024
  3. Uterine Cancer: Types of Uterine Cancer. International Gynecologic Cancer Society https://igcs.org/uterine/#el-e695d19b Accessed: 01 June 2024
  4. Uterine Cancer: Signs and Symptoms. International Gynecologic Cancer Society https://igcs.org/uterine/#el-fe32cc10 Accessed: 01 June 2024
  5. Womb Cancer: Risks and Cause of Womb Cancer. Last Reviewed: 22 February 2024. Cancer Research UK https://about-cancer.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/womb-cancer/risks-causes Accessed: 01 June 2024
  6. Uterine Cancer: Uterine Cancer Risk Factors – Conditions That Can Increase Risk. 25 February 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/uterine-cancer/risk-factors/ Accessed: 01 June 2024
  7. Uterine Cancer: Fast Facts. International Gynecologic Cancer Society https://igcs.org/uterine/ Accessed: 01 June 2024
  8. Uterine Cancer: Uterine Cancer Basics – Types. 27 October 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/uterine-cancer/about/ Accessed: 01 June 2024
  9. Womb (Uterus) Cancer: Causes – Who Is More Likely To Get Womb Cancer. Page Last Reviewed: 21 October 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/womb-cancer/causes/ Accessed: 01 June 2024
  10. Cancer Facts for Women: Endometrial Cancer. Last Revised: 31 October 2023. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/healthy/findcancerearly/womenshealth/cancer-facts-for-women Accessed: 01 June 2024
  11. Uterine Cancer Awareness: June Is Uterine Cancer Awareness Month. International Gynecologic Cancer Society https://igcs.org/uterine-cancer-awareness/ Accessed: 01 June 2024
  12. Uterine Cancer: Screening for Uterine Cancer – What To Know. 14 December 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/uterine-cancer/screening/ Accessed: 01 June 2024
  13. Cancer Facts for Women: Endometrial Cancer – What You Can Do: Know Your Risk and the Signs. Last Revised: 31 October 2023. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/healthy/findcancerearly/womenshealth/cancer-facts-for-women Accessed: 01 June 2024
  14. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 01 June 2024
  15. Womb (Uterus) Cancer: Overview – Get Your Symptoms Checked. Page Last Reviewed: 21 October 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/womb-cancer/#when-to-see-a-gp Accessed: 01 June 2024
  16. Endometrial Cancer: What Is Endometrial Cancer? Cancer Australia https://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/gynaecological-cancers/endometrial-cancer Accessed: 01 June 2024
  17. Uterine Cancer: Treatment of Uterine Cancer – How Is Uterine Cancer Treated? 20 February 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/uterine-cancer/treatment/ Accessed: 01 June 2024
Topic Last Updated: 02 July 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 June 2024

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