Uterine cancer causes

While the exact cause of uterine cancer remains unclear, we do know that the cells of many endometrial cancers have receptors on them for the hormone estrogen or progesterone or both. The way that these hormones interact with the cells of the uterine lining can fuel abnormal cell growth — new cells grow too quickly, and old cells don’t die off as they should — forming a cancerous tumor. Some of the risk factors that are strongly associated with endometrial cancer involve conditions that affect these hormones, such as a hormone imbalance or obesity.

Women with these risk factors are more likely to develop uterine cancer:

• Abnormal overgrowth of the uterine lining. This condition, also called endometrial hyperplasia, may cause heavy menstrual periods, bleeding between periods and bleeding after menopause. Hyperplasia is not cancer, but it can sometimes develop into cancer.
• Obesity. Excess fat cells can increase estrogen levels.
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Reproductive and menstrual history (if one of the following apply)
  • Never had children
  • First menstrual period before age 12
  • Menopause after age 55
• History of taking estrogen (without progesterone, too) for menopausal hormone therapy
• History of taking tamoxifen, a drug that’s prescribed to treat or prevent breast cancer
• Previous radiation therapy to the pelvis
• Family history of uterine cancer, such as having a mother, sister or daughter with the disease
• Family or personal history of Lynch Syndrome. This genetic condition, also called hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), increases the risk for multiple cancer types, including uterine and colorectal cancer.

Uterine cancer in black women

Statistics reveal differences between white women and black women with regard to uterine cancer. White women are slightly more likely to develop uterine cancer, however black women are more likely to have later-stage disease at the time of diagnosis, as well as more aggressive and harder to treat forms of the cancer. We call these differences cancer health disparities. The reasons for such disparities and complex and are the focus of research across the country, including here at Roswell Park. Learn more about Roswell Park’s efforts to understand and combat cancer health disparities.

For more information, or to request a consultation, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@roswellpark.org.