And because excess adipose tissue can produce extra estrogen, obese women more likely to develop endometrial cancer, Dr. Brawley said. People who take estrogen supplements without progesterone also have a higher risk of developing cancer. To control that risk, he said, when doctors prescribe estrogen to control hot flashes, they should also prescribe progesterone.
Dr. Ginger Gardner, a gynecological oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, says diabetes and high blood pressure are also risk factors. And, as with many other forms of cancer, family history may play a role, she adds. Women whose family members have been diagnosed with uterine cancer should be especially vigilant about monitoring for symptoms.
What are the initial symptoms? to see for?
Unusual bleeding is the most common symptom of uterine cancer, especially for women who have gone through menopause, says Dr. Brawley. Gardner says if you have vaginal bleeding after not having a period for a year or more, even spotting or a light pink or brown color when you wipe, you should talk to your gynecologist.
For younger women, a change in bleeding patterns — including bleeding between periods and heavy bleeding in general — can be a symptom of uterine cancer, she adds.
Andrea Jackson, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the University of California, San Francisco, who specializes in caring for Black patients, says that patients often overlook such changes in bleeding patterns. An anecdote, she said, her Black patients, in particular, often don’t see it as cause for concern, in part because many have co-morbidities like fibroidscan also cause spotting.
Missing periods can also be a worrying sign, she says. If you’ve missed your period for any length of time and aren’t in menopause or are using hormonal birth control, you should talk to your gynecologist.
Other early symptoms of uterine cancer include pelvic pain or pressure. “Patients may experience bloating or a change in bowel habits, which can resemble constipation or diarrhea,” says Dr. Hinchcliff. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend seeing your doctor if symptoms persist for two weeks or longer.
