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 your 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. The CDC’s definition is:

“When cancer starts in the uterus, it is called uterine cancer”.3

Most Common Type

What is the most common type of uterine cancer?

In Gynecologic Cancers: Uterine Cancer – Basic Information About Uterine Cancer the CDC elaborate on:

“The most common type of uterine cancer is also called endometrial cancer because it forms in the lining of your uterus, called the endometrium”.4

Endometrial Cancer

What is endometrial cancer?

DotS the definition of endometrial cancer may vary. Cancer Australia’s definition is:

“Endometrial cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the endometrium grow in an uncontrolled way”.5

How common is endometrial cancer?

In Endometrial Cancer: What Is Endometrial Cancer? Cancer Australia also note:

“Endometrial cancer is the most common type of cancer of the uterus, and the most common gynaecological cancer diagnosed in Australian women”.6

Cancer of the Muscle of the Uterus

Is endometrial cancer different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus?

Yes. In Endometrial Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: General Information About Endometrial Cancer – Endometrial Cancer Is A Disease In Which Malignant (Cancer) Cells Form In the Tissues of the Endometrium [+ Image] the (United States) National Cancer Institute (NCI) note:

“Cancer of the endometrium is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus, which is called sarcoma of the uterus”.7

Uterine Sarcoma

What is uterine sarcoma?

DotS the definition of uterine sarcoma may vary. In Uterine Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: General Information About Uterine Sarcoma – Key Points [+ Images] the NCI’s definition is:

  • “Uterine sarcoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the muscles of the uterus or other tissues that support the uterus”.8

Endometrial Cancer Signs and Symptoms

What may be signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer?

In Endometrial Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: General Information About Endometrial Cancer the NCI explain:

“Signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer include unusual vaginal bleeding or pain in the pelvis.

These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by endometrial cancer or by other conditions. Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:

  • Vaginal bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation (periods)
  • Vaginal bleeding after menopause
  • Difficult or painful urination
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Pain in the pelvic area”.9

Cause

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

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

“We don’t know what causes most womb cancers. But there are some factors that can increase your risk of developing it”.10

Risk Factors

What are risk factors for uterine cancer?

In Gynecologic Cancers: Uterine Cancer – What Are the 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 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”.11

Age

Is there an association between age and uterine cancer?

According to the ACS:

“The risk of endometrial cancer increases with age”.12

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and uterine cancer?

In Gynecologic Cancers: Uterine Cancer – Basic Information About Uterine Cancer the CDC note:


“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”.13

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)”.14

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”.15

High-Income Countries

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

In Uterine Cancer Awareness the International Gynecologic Cancer Society elaborate on:

“Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer among women residing in high-income countries.

And unlike many other cancers, the incidence and death rates are rising.

The number of deaths from this disease has been increasing by almost 2 percent each year, with even sharper spikes among Asian, Hispanic, and Black women in the United States”.16

Uterine Cancer

Pap Test

Does the Pap test, screen for uterine cancer?

No. The CDC explain:

“The Pap test does not screen for uterine cancer”.17

Is the Pap test, a test 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”.18

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”.19

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”.20

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”.21

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 cancers like this. This doctor and his or her team will work with you to create a treatment plan”.22

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?

Your country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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  18. Endometrial Cancer: About Endometrial Cancer
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  38. Mayo Clinic Minute: Know Options for Uterine Fibroids [+ Video]
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Uterine Cancer – Basic Information About Uterine Cancer. Last Reviewed: 14 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/ Accessed: 16 February 2024
  2. Uterine Cancer – Basic Information About Uterine Cancer. Last Reviewed: 14 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/ Accessed: 16 February 2024
  3. Uterine Cancer – Basic Information About Uterine Cancer. Last Reviewed: 14 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/ Accessed: 16 February 2024
  4. Uterine Cancer – Basic Information About Uterine Cancer. Last Reviewed: 14 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/ Accessed: 16 February 2024
  5. Endometrial Cancer: What Is Endometrial Cancer? Cancer Australia https://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/gynaecological-cancers/endometrial-cancer Accessed: 16 February 2024
  6. Endometrial Cancer: What Is Endometrial Cancer? Cancer Australia https://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/gynaecological-cancers/endometrial-cancer Accessed: 16 February 2024
  7. Endometrial Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: General Information About Endometrial Cancer – Endometrial Cancer Is A Disease In Which Malignant (Cancer) Cells Form In the Tissues of the Endometrium. Updated: 13 November 2020. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/Patient Accessed: 16 February 2024
  8. Uterine Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: General Information About Uterine Sarcoma – Key Points. Updated: 07 October 2022. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/uterinesarcoma/Patient Accessed: 16 February 2024
  9. Endometrial Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version: General Information About Endometrial Cancer. Updated 13 November 2020. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/uterine/patient/endometrial-treatment-pdq Accessed: 16 February 2024
  10. Womb Cancer: Risks and Causes. Last Reviewed: 10 February 2022. Cancer Research UK https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/womb-cancer/about/womb-cancer-risks-and-causes Accessed: 16 February 2024
  11. Uterine Cancer – What Are the Risk Factors? Page Last Reviewed: 14 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/risk_factors.htm Accessed: 16 February 2024
  12. 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: 16 February 2024
  13. Uterine Cancer – Basic Information About Uterine Cancer. Page Last Reviewed: 14 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/ Accessed: 16 February 2024
  14. 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: 16 February 2024
  15. 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: 16 February 2024
  16. Uterine Cancer Awareness. International Gynecologic Cancer Society https://igcs.org/uterine-cancer-awareness/ Accessed: 16 February 2024
  17. Uterine Cancer – What Should I Know About Screening? Page Last Reviewed: 14 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/screening.htm Accessed: 16 February 2024
  18. 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: 16 February 2024
  19. 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: 16 February 2024
  20. 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: 16 February 2024
  21. Endometrial Cancer: What Is Endometrial Cancer? Cancer Australia https://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/gynaecological-cancers/endometrial-cancer Accessed: 16 February 2024
  22. Uterine Cancer – How Is Uterine Cancer Treated? Page Last Reviewed: 14 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/treatment.htm Accessed: 16 February 2024
Topic Last Updated: 16 February 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 16 February 2024

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