A risk factor raises the chances of getting a health problem. A woman can get this health problem with or without the ones below. The chances of getting it are higher in people who have many.
This cancer is more common in women over 40 years of age. It is also more common in women with a family or genetic history of it.
It is often linked to changing hormones. Some health problems that can cause this are:
- Taking high doses of estrogen
- Longer years of menstruation
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Never giving birth
- Periods that are not normal
- Taking tamoxifen for breast cancer
Other risks may be:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Prior breast or ovarian cancer
- Radiation therapy to or near the pelvis
- Smoking
Abnormal Endometrial Cells
Too much estrogen can lead to an abnormal growth of cells. This is called endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN). EIN cells can grow into uterine cancer. It is treated with hormonal therapy or surgery. Tests may also be done to see if cancer has started.
References
Endometrial cancer. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Endometrial-Cancer. Updated February 2019. Accessed February 26, 2020.
Endometrial cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/endometrial-cancer . Updated October 21, 2019. Accessed February 26, 2020.
Endometrial cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/gynecologic-tumors/endometrial-cancer. Updated February 2019. Accessed February 26, 2020.
Renaud MC, Le T, et al. Epidemiology and investigations for suspected endometrial cancer. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2018 Sep;40(9):e703.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG
- Review Date: 11/2019
- Update Date: 01/26/2021