Uterine cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Breast cancer comes first. It is followed by lung and colon cancers. Uterine cancer is more common after the fertile period, especially between the ages of 60 and 70. It is easy to diagnose early because it causes vaginal bleeding. Thanks to early diagnosis, the cancer can be treated before it spreads elsewhere. The uterus is surgically removed and the cancer is completely removed. However, you may not always be so lucky. There is a 10% chance that the cancer will spread elsewhere and cause death.

What are the Symptoms?

The first symptom is usually an abnormal vaginal bleeding. It usually develops in postmenopausal women. Very few women under 40 years of age. Other symptoms are as follows;

• Prolonged menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause
• Pink-white vaginal discharge
• Abdominal pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Weight loss

It is very rare for uterine cancer to progress without any symptoms.

Why Does It Happen?

Normal healthy cells grow and multiply to do their job. But sometimes the growth of these cells gets out of control and becomes excessive and abnormal. They continue to multiply even though no new cells are needed. These abnormal cells spread to neighboring tissues and start to damage them. They can even travel to other parts of the body and continue to multiply abnormally there. In uterine cancer, cancer cells grow inside the uterus. Scientists believe that increased levels of estrogen play a role in the development of this cancer. It is also thought that changes in certain genes may be involved.

What are the Risk Factors?

The female reproductive system consists of two ovaries, two oviducts, a uterus and a vagina. The ovaries produce the two main female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones are in a certain balance. If this balance is disturbed in favor of estrogen, the uterus begins to thicken. This means that it prepares the ground for cancer formation. Conditions that increase estrogen levels are as follows;

• Ifmenstruation startedbefore the age of 12 and continued until the age of 50, the risk of developing uterine cancer is higher than women who menstruate for fewer years. This is because you are more exposed to estrogen.
• Not being pregnant. Although the exact cause is unknown, pregnancy has been found to be protective against uterine cancer. During pregnancy, more estrogen is produced, but so is progesterone. The increased level of progesterone balances the estrogen level.
• Irregular ovulation. In women who menstruate regularly, one egg is released from one ovary each month. This is regulated by the hormone estrogen. Irregular ovulation or the absence of ovulation also increases exposure to estrogen. They can be caused by things like obesity or ovarian cysts.
• Obesity. The ovaries are not the only source of estrogen. Fat tissue also converts some hormones into estrogen. Thus, the risk of uterine cancer increases with increasing estrogen levels.
• Diabetes. Since diabetes and obesity usually go together, the risk of uterine cancer also increases. However, some data show that the risk is high even in the absence of obesity.
• Hormone therapy. The risk increases if only estrogen is used during menopause. If progesterone is also given, the risk decreases, but other health problems may arise.
• Ovarian tumors. Ovarian tumors that produce estrogen also increase the risk by increasing estrogen levels.
• Age. The risk also increases with older age.
• History of breast or ovarian cancer.
• Race. Uterine cancer is more common in Caucasians, but death from cancer is higher in Blacks.

Having these risk factors does not mean that you will develop cancer. But remember to be vigilant in case of any symptoms. Some women who develop uterine cancer have no risk factors at all.

When to consult a doctor?

If you have vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain or pain during sexual intercourse in addition to menstrual bleeding, consult your doctor. Most of these symptoms are due to non-cancerous causes such as infection or fibroids. However, it is still necessary to prove that it is not cancer. If there is a risk of cancer, screening tests should be performed.

How is the diagnosis made?

First, your general health status is questioned and you are examined. Other tests are then ordered.

• Pap smear test. A sample from the cervix is taken to look for cancer cells. Since uterine cancer starts inside the uterus, it can rarely be detected here.
• Biopsy. A small piece of tissue is taken from inside the uterus to look for cancer cells in the laboratory. A biopsy usually does not require anesthesia.
• Curettage. If the biopsy does not yield enough tissue, the tissue scraped from the inside of the uterus is sent for examination by curettage. It usually requires anesthesia.
• Ultrasound. An instrument used through the abdomen and vagina that uses sound waves to examine the condition of the uterus.
• If cancer is detected, X-rays, computed tomography and blood tests are performed to examine the spread of the cancer.

What Can It Lead To?

Uterine cancer is treatable if detected early. It does not cause many problems. If the cancer is advanced, the pain can be severe. If vaginal bleeding is too heavy, anemia may develop.

How is the treatment done?

The treatment for uterine cancer is usually surgical removal. Most doctors only remove the uterus, but some also remove the ovaries and ducts. The lymph nodes are also removed during surgery. This operation is very serious. Because afterwards you will no longer be able to get pregnant. For some women, the decision can be very difficult. But this is the only way to treat the cancer. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy can also be used. Each of these will also have side effects. After treatment, regular check-ups are necessary.

What Can You Do to Prevent It?

Although it is not possible to prevent cancer in most cases, you can reduce the risk by paying attention to some factors.

• Take hormone therapy with progesterone. Since estrogen thickens the uterus, you may prefer a combination with progesterone instead of estrogen alone during menopause. However, this also has some side effects and you should discuss your situation with your doctor.
• Use birth control pills. Birth control pills reduce the risk of uterine cancer even up to 10 years after use.
• Watch your weight. Remember that excess fatty tissue increases estrogen levels. You also know that obesity can lead to other diseases.