Uterine Cancer is a type of pelvic cancer. Uterine cancer affects the structures and organs in the pelvis. The pelvic area is the lower portion of the trunk of a genetic female body. The pelvis contains the:

• Pelvic bones
• Bladder
• Rectum
• Reproductive organs

Uterine cancers can be either:

• Endometrial cancer (common) or
• Uterine sarcoma (rare)

Endometrial cancer is curable. Uterine sarcoma is more aggressive and it’s harder to treat.

Risk Factors

These factors may increase your chance of getting uterine cancer.

• Being over 50 years old
• Being obese
• Taking only estrogen for hormone replacement during menopause
• Having trouble getting pregnant
• Having less than five periods in a year before starting menopause
• Taking Tamoxifen
• Having close family members who have had:
  • Uterine cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Ovarian cancer

Prevention

You can’t prevent uterine cancer, but you can lower your chance of getting it. This includes:

• Pregnancy and breast-feeding. Estrogen levels are lower during pregnancy. Estrogen levels are also lower when breast-feeding. The risk of endometrial cancer is also lower in women who’ve had children. Breastfeeding also decreases the risk of endometrial cancer.
• Combining estrogen and progestin. This is found in combined oral contraceptives.
• Losing weight
• Being physically active
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Using combined hormone therapy instead of estrogen-only hormone therapy

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of uterine cancer include:

• Vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding
• Pelvic pain
• Pelvic pressure