What are the risk factors for developing endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma?
The Cancernet section at NCI/NIH, http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/uterus/page4, lists the following conditions as risk factors for endometrial/uterine cancer (Note: risk factors mean that these conditions are more common in women with endometrial cancer than in the general population): • Post menopausal (age over 50) • Endometrial hyperplasia (see FAQ above) • Use of long term estrogen replacement therapy without adequate progesterone • Overweight women tend to produce more estrogen • Diabetes, high blood pressure • Other cancers (colon, rectal, breast) • Tamoxifen (breast cancer treatment) • Race (white women more likely than black women) These are just general risk factors, and ongoing research is trying to develop some of these theories, especially the role of excess estrogen in developing endometrial cancer. The risks and benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) are constantly being reviewed. There are also younger women who do not fit the categories above who develop
