Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer is a cancer of the uterus, the pelvic organ in women in which a foetus grows and develops. Uterine cancer is usually a slow growing form. It is one of the most common cancers in women in Western countries, representing 7% of all cancers diagnosed in 2017 (Corzo, Santillan, Westin & Ramirez, 2017). Uterine cancer is most commonly seen after the reproductive years, between the ages of 50 to 70 years, but incidences are increasing, and is becoming more frequent in younger women (Mayo Clinic, 2017; Osiecki, 2012, p402; (Corzo, Santillan, Westin & Ramirez, 2017).
There are three main types of uterine cancer (Cancer Council Australia, 2017; Osiecki, 2012, p402):
Endometrial cancers are often detected early due to symptoms which prompt women to quickly see their doctors. The symptoms include (Cancer Council Australia, 2017; Mayo Clinic, 2017; Osiecki, 2012, pp402-403):
There are three main types of uterine cancer (Cancer Council Australia, 2017; Osiecki, 2012, p402):
- Fibroids - a benign (non-spreading) growth in the uterus. Sometimes a few or many can be present at the same time.
- Endometrial cancer - a malignant (spreading) cancer which begins in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and accounts for 75% of all cases. There
- Uterine sarcoma - this is another malignant type of cancer which develops in the muscle tissue (myometrium), but is a much rarer form, comprising just 2-5% of all uterine cancers.
Endometrial cancers are often detected early due to symptoms which prompt women to quickly see their doctors. The symptoms include (Cancer Council Australia, 2017; Mayo Clinic, 2017; Osiecki, 2012, pp402-403):
- Abnormally heavy bleeding
- Watery of blood-tinged discharge from the vagina, which may have an offensive smell
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Vaginal bleeding between periods
- Lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramping.
- Age - the older you get, the higher the risk.
- Family history - of hormone-related conditions such as PCOS or ovarian or uterine tumours, or having high blood pressure or diabetes.
- Diabetes – women who have diabetes, even if not obese, have a greater risk.
- Having pelvic radiation treatment - radiation therapy of the pelvic region to treat ovarian or other cancers can damage cells to cause secondary uterine cancer.
- Diet - diets high in high Glycaemic Index (GI) load from sugar, refined and processed carbohydrates (grain products, alcohol etc). In addition, various nutrient deficiencies of vitamins and minerals, and essential fatty acids (like fish oil).
- Inflammation - chronic and persistent inflammation from many causes, including many listed here.
- Hormone imbalance - an imbalance between the female hormones of oestrogen and progesterone. Additionally, having other hormone-related conditions such as PCOS, irregular periods or no periods (from no ovulation), or ovarian cancer can increase risk.
- Hormone therapy - taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) such as Tamoxifen or other hormones after menopause which contain oestrogen but not progesterone can increase the risk of this cancer (and others like breast cancer).
- Duration of menstruation - the longer you have been menstruating, or starting menstruation at an early age (before 12 years).
- Environmental chemicals – in particular, xeno-oestrogen chemicals found in cleaning products, plastics, some foods, and other chemicals, can mimic the oestrogen hormone in the body to cause hormone imbalance.
- Increased weight and metabolic changes – being obese increases the risk, as the fat tissue stores can secrete more oestrogen hormones to cause a hormone imbalance.
- Pregnancy - never having been pregnant can increase your risk of uterine cancer.
- Sedentary lifestyle - a lack of exercise can contribute to uterine cancer risk. Research shows a 20% decrease in risk in women who engage in regular physical activities (Corzo, Santillan, Westin & Ramirez, 2017).