The prognosis of endometrial cancer is a general assessment of how long it will be alive. It depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient’s age, and general health. Fortunately, if detected early, endometrial cancer is curable with minimal side effects and is highly treatable. However, the cancer’s survival rate decreases significantly if it has spread to other parts of the body or is undiagnosed.
The risk of endometrial cancer is increased by hormone therapy. Women should discuss this with their doctor before beginning hormone therapy. Contraceptives and birth control pills may help reduce the risk, but there are also side effects. Birth control pills should be used to prevent pregnancy and childbirth. Using oral contraceptives for at least one year can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. However, oral contraceptives have side effects that need to be discussed with your doctor.
A biopsy may be necessary if your physician suspects that you have endometrial cancer. A biopsy requires the use of a thin scope to insert into the vagina and collect samples of endometrium for examination. This procedure is usually done in the doctor’s office without the need for anesthesia. A blood test will also confirm the presence of cancerous cells. During this procedure, a healthcare professional will insert a thin scope into the vagina and press it against your abdominal wall.
Depending on the stage of the cancer, the doctor may choose to perform surgery to remove the cancer. Treatment options may include chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which uses powerful drugs to kill the cancer cells. Hormone therapy provides women with the hormones they need to fight cancer. Targeted therapy uses medications to prevent cancer cells from multiplying. Treatment options are numerous and evolving as researchers discover new ways to treat endometrial cancer.
While pregnancy lowers the risk of endometrial cancer, infertility and irregular menstrual cycles can increase the risk. Some other risk factors include obesity, ovarian tumors that secrete estrogen, and a high BMI. As women age, their risk of endometrial cancer increases. The American Society of Clinical Oncology estimates that obesity contributes to 70 percent of all uterine cancers.
While there is no known cause for endometrial cancer, many women suffer from it. The disease is common in white women and among women aged 50 and older. Tamoxifen and other cancer-fighting drugs are frequently used to treat the disease. Tamoxifen is one such drug, which stimulates the endometrium. For women who are at high risk, tamoxifen may be an option.
Excessive estrogen is a known risk factor for endometrial cancer. Women should strive to maintain a healthy body weight. Increase physical activity and decrease calorie intake. If you are overweight, this risk is increased by two to four fold. Increasing physical activity, such as aerobic exercise, can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. These factors are often associated with metabolic syndrome. But no one knows for sure which causes endometrial cancer.
