Uterine Cancer Awareness

Know the Signs and Symptoms

Abnormal bleeding
This is the most common symptom, especially bleeding after menopause. For premenopausal women, it may present as periods that are heavier or longer than usual and/or bleeding between periods. Other symptoms may include spotting, blood clots, and unusually colored blood or discharge.

Pain or pressure
Pain or pressure in the pelvis, lower abdomen, back, or legs

Pain during urination or bowel movements
Pain, difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement, or blood in urine or stool

Unexplained weight loss
Loosing weight without changing diet or exercise habits

Abnormal Pap results
While the Pap test is not used to screen for uterine cancer, sometimes the test will show signs of abnormal cells in the lining of the uterus. For this reason, following an abnormal Pap test, a sample of endometrial tissue must be removed and examined for cancer cells.

Other symptoms
Feeling a mass or tumor in your pelvis, fluid buildup in the abdomen or legs, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, or a foul-smelling vaginal discharge Painful intercourse or sexual relations.

See a doctor right away if experiencing any of these symptoms, especially those who have gone through menopause or are at increased risk.

The most common risk factor for endometrial cancer (the most common type of uterine cancer) is obesity. Fat tissue in the body increases estrogen levels, which can cause the lining of the uterus to grow too much. This extra growth increases the risk of tumors. Stimulating the lining of the uterus and potentially leading to abnormal cell growth that can develop into cancer.

Committing to a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious meals, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Know the Risk Factors

• Obesity: Anyone with a uterus who is overweight or obese has a higher risk of uterine cancer.
• Age: Uterine cancer is more common in women over 50 years old. However, it is becoming more common in younger women.
• Diabetes: Women with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk.
• Menstrual history: Starting periods before age 12 or going through menopause after age 55 increases the risk.
• Hormone therapy: Taking estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause increases the risk of uterine cancer.
• Tamoxifen: This drug is used to treat breast cancer, but it can increase the risk of uterine cancer because it can behave like estrogen in the uterus, stimulating the lining of the uterus and potentially leading to abnormal cell growth that can develop into cancer.
• Endometrial hyperplasia: Endometrial overgrowth can increase the risk.
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): PCOS can cause higher levels of estrogen, which can increase the risk.
• Family history: Having a close relative with uterine or ovarian cancer increases the risk.
• Lynch syndrome: This rare genetic condition can increase the risk of developing cancer, especially endometrial and colorectal cancer.

The Link Between Obesity, Estrogen, and Uterine Cancer

Obesity is one of the strongest risk factors for uterine cancer. But instead of approaching this as a public health issue, society often attaches shame and blame, making it harder for women to seek help.

🔹 How does obesity increase uterine cancer risk?
Fat cells produce estrogen. When the body has excess fat, it creates extra estrogen, leading to hormonal imbalances that can stimulate the growth of uterine lining cells—sometimes abnormally. Over time, this increases the likelihood of cancer.

🔹 Why aren’t we talking about this?
Because obesity itself carries stigma—many people, including healthcare providers, dismiss women’s concerns about weight-related health risks as a matter of “personal responsibility” rather than a complex issue influenced by genetics, environment, and access to healthcare.

🔹 The real solution: Support, not shame.
Instead of blaming individuals, we must shift the conversation toward education, preventive care, and access to resources that help people make informed, sustainable health choices.

Jump into Support. How can you support those in your life to make informed, healthy lifestyle choices?

Understanding Your Body: Why Hormonal Health Matters

Knowledge is power. Women need to understand how their bodies function so they can recognize when something is wrong.

• Postmenopausal bleeding is never normal—if you notice any bleeding, even a small amount, consult your doctor promptly, as it could be a sign of uterine cancer.
• Your menstrual cycle is a vital sign. Just like blood pressure and heart rate, your period is an indicator of overall health. Heavy, irregular, or postmenopausal bleeding can be a red flag for uterine cancer.
• Hormones influence more than fertility. Estrogen and progesterone regulate not only menstruation but also metabolism, bone health, and mood. When these hormones are imbalanced—due to excess estrogen, PCOS, or obesity—it can increase the risk of uterine cancer.
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. It's most commonly used during perimenopause (the transition phase before menopause) and post menopause. It's essential to consult with a specialist who is experienced in menopause and hormone therapy before considering hormone replacement, and make sure you follow up with your healthcare provider regularly.

Education leads to early detection.

Many women dismiss changes in their cycles because they were never taught what’s normal versus abnormal. We need to talk about these issues openly, without shame. By empowering women with knowledge, we can increase early diagnoses, improve survival rates, and encourage self-advocacy in healthcare settings.

In 2013, The Cancer Genome Atlas identified four distinct molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer, the most common type of uterine cancer. This discovery revolutionized how we understand and treat the disease. Traditionally, endometrial cancers were classified based on how they look under a microscope, but this approach doesn’t fully capture the biological diversity and genetic makeup of each tumor.

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) published the FIGO Staging of Endometrial Cancer in June 2023 which includes the various histological types, tumor patterns, and molecular classification to better reflect the improved understanding of the complex nature of the several types of endometrial carcinoma and their underlying biologic behavior.

A More Accurate Prognosis
By analyzing tumors at the molecular level, doctors gain deeper insights into tumor behavior, prognosis, and treatment response—leading to more precise and effective care. For example, some proteins might indicate that the cancer is more aggressive, while others might suggest it’s less likely to spread.

Personalized Treatment Plans: Avoiding Over- and Undertreatment
Different molecular subtypes respond differently to therapy. Molecular classification helps doctors tailor treatment to each patient, preventing unnecessary chemotherapy (and its side effects) for those with low-risk tumors and ensuring high-risk patients get the care they need. This is precision medicine.

New Hope for Targeted Therapies
As research advances, identifying molecular subtypes opens doors to new targeted treatments, like immunotherapy. These innovations improve outcomes and reduce treatment side effects.

A Step Toward Better Care
By incorporating molecular classification into routine care, we can ensure that every patient gets the most appropriate, effective treatment. Advocacy for increased awareness and access to molecular testing is crucial to making this the standard worldwide.

Endometrial cancer care is evolving—let’s make sure all patients have access to the best possible diagnosis and treatment.

Encouraging Developments for Uterine Cancer Care and Advocacy

Prevention Strategies

• Studies on diet, exercise, and metabolic health are helping to create evidence-based guidelines for reducing uterine cancer risk.
• Research on obesity and estrogen regulation is leading to new prevention strategies, such as lifestyle interventions and medications that reduce excess estrogen exposure.

Detection and Diagnosis

• Improved genetic and biomarker testing methods mean earlier detection and better prevention strategies.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to analyze pathology slides and scans, improving accuracy in diagnosing and predicting cancer behavior.

Enhanced Treatment Options

• Advancements in immunotherapy and targeted treatments are improving options for those with various subtypes.
• Precision medicine tailors treatment based on an individual’s tumor biology, genetics, and immune response, making therapies more effective and less toxic.
• Studies show that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can be used for early and high-risk cases. MIS can increase the patient’s quality of life, resulting in less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and fewer complications.

Advocacy, Awareness, and Outreach Efforts

• Efforts to address racial disparities in diagnosis and treatment are gaining traction.
• More organizations are pushing for increased research funding for uterine cancer.
• Campaigns like Uterine Cancer Awareness Month are helping to organize and mobilize communities and individuals to act and raise public awareness.