Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : March 10, 2016 12:43 PM IST
Endometrial cancer, where there is abnormal cell growths in the inner lining of the uterus is more common in the US as compared to India. That doesn t mean you can be ignorant of this condition and not give a thought to your health, precisely the uterus, from where this cancer originates. Find out whether you should worry about bleeding after menopause.
Studies conclude that in India, the estimated incidence rate is higher in cities like Bangalore and Delhi and lower in Mumbai. Also, if treated early, either with surgery or combination treatment, there is a promising survival rate. For women, aged less that 50 years, non-tobacco users and without a family history of the cancer have a better five-year survival rate that the ones over 50 and have the other markers [1]. The real cause that leads to endometrial cancer is unknown. However, experts believe that exposure to high levels of estrogen is one reason that leads to this cancer.
There are certain risk factors that make a woman prone to endometrial cancer. Here goes the list:
1. Early periods: Early puberty signals a lot of health risks in children. However, girls who get their first menses before the age of 12 are at an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer later in life [2]. Here are five causes of early puberty and what to do about it.
2. Delayed motherhood: Whether you want a child or not is a very personal decision. But for women who don t have any fertility issues and can conceive naturally, deciding not to bear children can damage their health. As nulliparity or not giving birth to a child at all, increases a woman s risk of endometrial cancer by threefold [2].
3. Late menopause: While there are various health risks one can suffer during post menopause but if you are over 50 and still go through menstruation, it could be a matter of concern, as hitting menopause after 50 also increases a woman s risk of endometrial cancer [2]. You should know about the symptoms of onset of menopause.
4. Obesity: Obese women are at an increased risk of many lifestyle induced ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. and endometrial cancer is also a big threat to them. Fat tissues stimulate estrogen production in the endometrial lining, making one prone to the risk of the cancer [2]. Here are 16 reasons why obesity is ugly.
5. Hormone replacement therapy: There could be medical reasons that can make one go for an HRT, but this therapy increases one s risk of endometrial cancer too if it is an estrogen-only therapy. The inclusion of progesterone hormone in HRT, on the other hand, decreases the risk of endometrial cancer drastically [2]. Women who are menopausal, on HRT when to suffer from vaginal bleeding should take the symptom seriously as it could indicate the onset of the cancer.
References
[1] 1: Balasubramaniam G, Sushama S, Rasika B, Mahantshetty U. Hospital-based study of endometrial cancer survival in Mumbai, India. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2013;14(2):977-80. PubMed PMID: 23621271.
[2] Elit, L. (2000). Endometrial cancer. Prevention, detection, management, and follow up. Canadian Family Physician, 46(4), 887-892.
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