Endometrial cancer has been on the rise in Canada over the past 20 years. People who are older and living with obesity are more likely to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer. However, it can occur in younger people as well.
The good news is that endometrial cancer may be detected early if you notice the warning signs and seek medical attention right away!
It may also be prevented in many cases, since we know of conditions that may place some people at a higher risk.
The most common first sign of endometrial cancer is:
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
This is any vaginal bleeding after menopause in older people (post-menopausal bleeding),or abnormally heavy periods in younger people. It is also more common in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or polycystic ovary syndrome.
The most common first sign of endometrial cancer is:
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
This is any vaginal bleeding after menopause in older people (post-menopausal bleeding),or abnormally heavy periods in younger people. It is also more common in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or polycystic ovary syndrome.
Warning Signs and Causes of Endometrial Cancer
Do you have the warning signs for endometrial cancer? Don’t ignore them!
Do your periods feel like a flood?
Talk to your doctor about whether you need an endometrial biopsy
Bleeding after menopause is never normal.
Talk to your doctor about whether you need an endometrial biopsy
Warning Signs and Causes of Endometrial Cancer
Do you have the warning signs for endometrial cancer? Don’t ignore them!
Do your periods feel like a flood?
Talk to your doctor about whether you need an endometrial biopsy
Bleeding after menopause is never normal.
Talk to your doctor about whether you need an endometrial biopsy
Premenopausal Endometrial Cancer
Do your periods feel like a flood?
Premenopausal Endometrial Cancer
Do your periods feel like a flood?
Unpredictable or heavy periods may be a symptom of endometrial cancer, and 5-30% of endometrial cancers happen in people before menopause.
Causes
Cancer is not the cause of all abnormal bleeding, but it is important to rule out.
Causes of abnormal bleeding can include:
Pre-cancer or cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) or cervix (opening of the uterus)
Hormonal treatments such as Tamoxifen or birth control
Non-cancerous growths on the uterus or cervix, such as polyps or fibroids
Infection of the uterus or cervix
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Symptoms and warning signs
Talk to your health care provider if:
When detected early, most conditions causing abnormal uterine bleeding (including cancer) can be successfully treated.
Causes
Cancer is not the cause of all abnormal bleeding, but it is important to rule out.
Causes of abnormal bleeding can include:
Pre-cancer or cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) or cervix (opening of the uterus)
Hormonal treatments such as Tamoxifen or birth control
Non-cancerous growths on the uterus or cervix, such as polyps or fibroids
Infection of the uterus or cervix
Symptoms and warning signs
Talk to your health care provider if:
When detected early, most conditions causing abnormal uterine bleeding (including cancer) can be successfully treated.
Postmenopausal Endometrial Cancer
Have you experienced any vaginal bleeding after menopause? This is never normal.
Postmenopausal Endometrial Cancer
Have you experienced any vaginal bleeding after menopause? This is never normal.
If you have had 12 months without your period and then experience bleeding or spotting again, it could be the first symptom of endometrial cancer.
What is menopause?
Menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycles and is defined as 12 months without a period. The average age at which menopause occurs is 51.
What should I do about bleeding after menopause?
Any bleeding after menopause, no matter how little, is never normal.
Any vaginal bleeding after menopause means you need to see a physician so that they can examine you and collect a biopsy of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to rule out cancer.
The good news is that if your bleeding is caused by an early cancer, prompt diagnosis and treatment often results in cure. Seeing your doctor at the first sign of any postmenopausal bleeding makes a difference!
Causes
Cancer will be found in 10% of cases of bleeding after menopause, so it is very important to rule it out.
When detected early, most conditions causing bleeding after menopause (including cancer) can be successfully treated.
The causes of bleeding after menopause include:
• Pre-cancer or cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) or cervix (opening of the uterus).
• Hormonal treatments (Tamoxifen, hormone replacement therapy)
• Thinning of the uterine or vaginal lining which can become fragile and prone to bleeding (genitourinary syndrome of menopause)
• Noncancerous growths on the uterus or cervix, such as polyps
• Infection of the uterus or cervix
Next Steps
Your primary care provider or gynecologist will:
Next Steps
Your primary care provider or gynecologist will:
Prevention of Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is preventable in some people
Prevention of Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is preventable in some people
Which conditions might increase my risk of endometrial cancer?
Some conditions that may increase your risk include:
How does endometrial cancer develop?
There are 2 hormones that regulate the growth of the lining of the uterus (endometrium
Conditions that cause an imbalance of these hormones, with higher levels of estrogen and lower levels of progesterone, can increase the risk of endometrial cancer when lining growth is no longer controlled or regulated.
How to prevent endometrial cancer?
Based on your unique risk factors, your doctor may recommend:
If you have these risk factors and want to know more about how you may prevent endometrial cancer talk to your doctor about these concerns.
Treatment of Endometrial Cancer
Treatment of Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer is typically treated by removing the uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes, and often the ovaries as well.
This is called a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Your doctor may also recommend to remove some lymph nodes.
It is performed either by a minimally invasive approach (laparoscopic (“straight-stick”) or robotic surgery) or using an abdominal incision.
In some cases, patients require additional treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Other treatments can include hormone therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy alone, radiation therapy alone or clinical trials.
For more information, you can visit the following links:
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British Columbia:
Ontario:
Saskatchewan:
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Obesity Canada is the country’s leading obesity registered charity association for:
- Health professionals
- Policy makers
- Canadians living with obesity
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Partner
Obesity Canada is the country’s leading obesity registered charity association for:
- Health professionals
- Policy makers
- Canadians living with obesity
- Researchers, trainees and students