{"id":3563,"date":"2019-02-03T16:21:50","date_gmt":"2019-02-03T16:21:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=3563"},"modified":"2021-03-25T17:52:03","modified_gmt":"2021-03-25T17:52:03","slug":"15-causes-of-endometrial-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-causes-of-endometrial-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Causes of Endometrial Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Endometrial cancer is the official medical term used to describe cancer that manifests in the endometrium \u2014 a uterine lining that protects that inside of your uterus. The National Cancer Institute has stated that around six percent of all cancers in American women is endometrial cancer. It is also the most prominent form of uterine cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any symptoms that might be caused by endometrial cancer, it\u2019s imperative that you consult with your doctor immediately to get it diagnosed and treated early. Bear in mind that these symptoms may also be caused by other less severe conditions so there\u2019s no need to panic if you show any symptoms of endometrial cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people will be at greater risk for endometrial cancer depending on their lifestyle, age, genetics, and more. With such a wide array of risk factors, it\u2019s hard to keep track of all of them. There are many things that can cause endometrial cancer, but here are eight of the most common causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find that the majority of the cases of endometrial cancer manifest in women who are aged between 60 and 70 years old. If you are in this age range or have already completed the biological process of menopause<\/a>, you might have an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, if you meet the criteria and notice some symptoms of the disease, it could be an indicator that you do have endometrial cancer. If this is the case, it\u2019s important that you get an early diagnosis so that you can get the proper treatment and have a better chance of defeating the disease before it defeats you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you fit the criteria and show some symptoms associated with endometrial cancer, don\u2019t panic before getting a diagnosis as you might stress yourself out over nothing. The odds of having endometrial cancer are below 10% whereas the odds of having a heart attack from panicking are far higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Estrogen-only HRT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy. There are many reasons one might undergo this treatment. Many transitioning men use it to reach their preferred gender of female. The therapy contains high levels of estrogen<\/a>, but it doesn\u2019t contain the female hormone that is known as progesterone. It is due to this imbalance that HRT could increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This therapy might also be used to treat the symptoms that are caused by menopause. Those who undergo HRT and are undergoing menopause have two risk factors that are increasing the odds of endometrial cancer occurring, and as such, should report any symptoms that they notice immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the event that adverse effects are resulting from the treatment, doctors may be forced to postpone the HRT of the patient until the symptoms have subsided and any underlying conditions have been treated. Bear in mind that the odds of having to cease treatment are relatively low, so there\u2019s nothing to fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Late menopause<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Studies have shown that those who enter menopause at an age that is later than most will have a higher chance of developing endometrial cancer <\/a>either during or after the menopause has concluded. This is due to the fact that they have longer exposure to estrogen than most people. As we\u2019ve explained in the above section, excessive exposure to estrogen can cause endometrial cancer, which is why hormone replacement therapy and late menopause can both increase the odds of developing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any of the telltale symptoms of endometrial cancer and had a late menopause, you should get a checkup with your doctor immediately to verify what the cause of the symptoms are and whether or not it is, in fact, endometrial cancer. Again, even if you had late menopause and notice these symptoms, it is not a cause for panic as the adverse effects that you are experiencing may be caused by a non-severe condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Exposure to estrogen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the same way that late menopause is a potential cause of endometrial cancer, early menstrual initiation can also increase your odds of developing it. If you had your first period prior to the age of 12, you could have a higher chance of developing endometrial cancer seeing as your body has had longer exposure to estrogen throughout the course of your life. This is even truer if you had an early menstrual initiation but late menopause as the exposure to estrogen that your body has endured is far greater than that of the average female. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that we\u2019re talking about the actual start of your menstruation, not just any vaginal bleeds. It is easy to distinguish from the two seeing as vaginal bleeds <\/a>will be an isolated incident whereas your menstrual cycle will be consistent once it begins. If you are unsure as to when you began menstruating, you can ask your parents to jog your memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Hormonal changes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many things that might cause shifts in your hormonal levels. There are many diseases and conditions that lead to an imbalance in the levels of progesterone and estrogen in your body. These shifts could lead to excessive estrogen levels and as a result, overly thick uterine lining in your uterus<\/a>. This excessive thickness could lead to cell abnormality and even endometrial cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suspect that you\u2019ve recently undergone a shift in your hormonal levels and also notice some symptoms that have been associated with endometrial cancer, it\u2019s imperative that you get yourself checked up with your physicians so that you can nip any issues, including cancer, at the bud before it becomes harder to treat the issue. You\u2019ll find that most diseases will be easier to deal with if you get it diagnosed earlier on. This is especially true with cancer as treatments like chemotherapy are more effective when cancer is in its early stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Obesity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Obesity <\/a>is a risk factor for many diseases. From type 2 diabetes to heart disease, you\u2019re opened up to a whole myriad of adverse conditions when you\u2019re over the threshold of healthy weight. Those whoa re classified overweight or obese will be anywhere from twice as likely, to four times are likely to get endometrial cancer in comparison to women who are of average weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors suspect that this is due to the fact that fat also produces excessive levels of estrogen which could thicken your uterine lining and lead to endometrial cancer. If you are overweight or obese and notice any symptoms that are associated with endometrial cancer, it\u2019s imperative that you get yourself checked as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that some of the symptoms associated with endometrial cancer could also be caused by other diseases that result from obesity including type 2 diabetes. Due to the symptoms overlap, getting the opinion of your doctor is very important to get proper treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Diabetes and hypertension<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women who have hypertension or diabetes will have a higher chance of developing endometrial cancer throughout the course of their life. Historically, doctors thought that this was merely due to the fact that these two conditions are caused by obesity, a known risk factor for endometrial cancer due to the fact that fat tissue produces estrogen which can cause the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, a recent study which was published in the American Heart Association, as well as the American Cancer Society, found that the two conditions above can independently increase the odds of developing endometrial cancer even in lieu of obesity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue is that these conditions can cause similar symptoms to endometrial cancer making it hard to diagnose. Doctors may opt for a uterine biopsy <\/a>in such cases to confirm or debunk a diagnosis and get to the point of whether or not the patient is testing positive for cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Tamoxifen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tamoxifen <\/a>is a pharmaceutical drug that doctors use to treat and\/or prevent breast cancer. Breast tissue reacts to tamoxifen as if it is an anti-estrogen, but in the uterus, it has quite the opposite effect, acting as an estrogen. For those who have already undergone menopause, tamoxifen could lead to excessive growth in the uterine lining of the uterus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, in turn, increases the odds of the patient developing endometrial cancer. It\u2019s worth noting that the risk of developing endometrial cancer is extremely low, in fact, below a percent each year. Whoever decides to take tamoxifen needs to weigh the benefits of preventing breast cancer with the risk of developing endometrial cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to do your own research and consult with your doctor so that you can make an educated decision on whether or not you should be taking this drug. If you take tamoxifen and notice vaginal bleeds, be sure to notify your doctor immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Genetics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All forms of cancer are highly genetic and this is also true of uterine cancer. If you have a mother, a sister, or a daughter who suffers from the condition, then there is a greater chance that you might also develop it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is scary news for anyone with a family history of cancer, but it is also a useful tool \u2013 as it allows you to then further research the topic and get screened for signs of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, you should also remember that this is still not a sure thing. Two identical monozygotic twins with the exact same DNA will not necessarily both develop the same form of cancer. This is because genetics simply increases the likelihood and creates a \u2018predisposition\u2019. It is then lifestyle factors, and chance, that will ultimately determine whether that potential becomes a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In particular, there is a specific gene that is linked with Lynch syndrome \u2013 hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve already seen that hormonal changes can trigger the formation of cancerous tumors. The thing to remember here is that the body is a highly interdependent system \u2013 changes to one part of the system will invariably cause a ripple effect throughout the entire body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we know that hormones have a big impact on the uterus and the way it operates. This is why taking progesterone tablets \u2013 a form of exogenous hormone \u2013 will cause the cervical mucus to thicken to the point of preventing sperm from getting through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is that in some cases, medications can <\/em>trigger the development of cancer. This is not to say that you should avoid all medications. But if you have a family history of uterine cancer, you should definitely let your physician know before they prescribe you any kind of hormonal drug. And that also goes for seemingly unrelated hormones\/medications like SSRIs and steroids <\/a>\u2013 remember that there is a cascading effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Poor Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your diet will greatly influence your cancer risk and can help to prevent a genetic predisposition for cancer from coming to fruition, or <\/em>potentially trigger it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In particular, it is important to ensure that you eat a diet that is high in antioxidants \u2013 substances that prevent the damaging effects of free radicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cancer <\/a>is caused by small mutations in the cells, which then propagate when the cells split and spread. Cells are bombarded all the time by a flurry of \u2018free radicals\u2019 which can damage the cell walls. If these eventually get through, then they will risk harming the nucleus and the DNA \u2013 which then impacts every subsequent cell built from that blueprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevent this from happening by eating a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stress <\/a>actually increases your chances of developing a whole range of different conditions \u2013 including cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While stress cannot directly cause the formation of tumors, it does increase risk factors through a number of processes. For one, stress will increase your metabolism through your autonomic nervous system, and thereby cause your body to produce more waste products. At the same time, many of the normal processes that your body relies on to clean up those waste products will be suppressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are stressed, the body believes that you are in immediate physical danger. Therefore, it responds by increasing the heart rate and directing blood flow and energy to the brain and muscles. To do this, that blood is directed away <\/em>from less pressing concerns: such as digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is that things don\u2019t run as well as they should, and you are simply less capable of coping with the demands placed on your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. PCOS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

PCOS <\/a>is a polycystic ovarian syndrome \u2013 a condition that causes the formation of cysts on the ovaries. This, in turn, can cause a number of unwanted hormonal changes and fluctuations, that can increase your likelihood of developing cancer, as well as leading to numerous direct symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often PCOS is mistaken for metabolic syndrome or hypothyroidism \u2013 as the symptoms are actually similar. You might notice yourself feeling generally very tired, or you might find yourself gaining weight quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Never Giving Birth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Statistically, you are less likely to develop womb cancer if you have given birth. The likely reason for this is that it reduces the proliferation of cells in the ovaries and also has a rejuvenating<\/a> and restorative effect. Specifically, the increased levels of progesterone and lower levels of estrogen seen during pregnancy are protective of the lining of the womb and therefore able to reduce the likelihood of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this might seem like bad news for non-Mums out there, keep in mind that on balance Mothers have shorter life expectancies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Early Menstruation <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Early menstruation can also increase your chances of developing womb cancer. This is not a threat for the young women experiencing the early cycles, but rather has a cumulative effect throughout their lives. That\u2019s because menstruation is hard on the body, causing many hormonal changes and burning through a lot of energy<\/a>. Therefore, the more cycles that you go through, the more likely it is that they will eventually lead to womb cancer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, none of these things will be guaranteed to cause cancer or will be likely to put you at serious risk on its own. The issue is when you have many of these different factors acting together on top of a general genetic predisposition. This can create an imperfect storm that triggers the spread of damaged cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But remember, chance probably plays the largest role of all \u2013 so you should never blame yourself for the appearance of womb cancer.
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