Uterine Cancer Causes
When wondering about uterine cancer causes, it is best to take information from medical experts and authorities. The staff of Mayo Clinic has a very simple answer to that question, saying simply, “Doctors don’t know what causes endometrial cancer. What’s known is that something occurs to create a genetic mutation within cells in the endometrium — the lining of the uterus.” And from there the disease progresses, converting once healthy cells into abnormal ones and causing them to die and accumulate at a rate that leads to tumor formation.
If the uterine cancer is not detected, it often spreads into nearby tissue and organs, causing further harm and danger.
Of course, while the experts are unclear about the precise uterine cancer causes, they do know of certain risk factors that might leave a woman predisposed to contracting the disease.
Risk Factors Cannot Be Ignored
Generally, it is most common for post-menopausal women to have uterine cancer, with only one in four women under the age of 45 being diagnosed with it. That means that post-menopausal women should be on the alert for symptoms. However, that alone is not the only known risk factor. The other primary risks include:
- Anything that might have changed hormonal balance during a woman’s life – This includes pregnancy, hormones after menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, and medications such as birth control.
- Use of an IUD.
- Menstruating earlier than age 12 – A woman who has many years of menstruation, usually beginning before the age of 12 and running to menopause, is at a greater risk for uterine cancer.
- Women with diabetes.
- Women who have never been pregnant are at increased risk.
- Women who have had ovarian or breast cancers or endometrial hyperplasia are at greater risk.
- Obesity is a contributing factor as it too alters hormonal levels.
- Treatment for breast cancer, including the use of radiation or the drug tamoxifen.
- Cancer in the family history.
Essentially, and according to the American Cancer Society, it is thought that hormonal imbalance serves as one of the key uterine cancer causes. Why it triggers the cancer to develop is yet unknown, but a great deal of research into genes and cancer in general is being done to uncover the most obvious uterine cancer causes.
Diagnosis
Interestingly enough, many women with uterine cancer are unaware of it since the symptoms do not emerge until the condition has advanced. Additionally, it is a disease that can be mistaken for other, less serious issues. For example, some patients are treated for a mass thought to be a benign tumor only to discover that it is uterine cancer during surgical treatment.
In some instances, the surgical treatments used caused worse conditions to emerge. For instance, patients getting hysterectomy or tumor removal with power morcellator devices, but who had uterine cancer, may end up in far worse condition with cancer spread to many other areas of the body.
Until scientists are clear on the uterine cancer causes, it is a difficult issue for physicians to diagnose. If you are someone who has several risk factors and even some symptoms of uterine cancer, do not hesitate to speak with your doctor. Because uterine cancer causes are so unknown, most physicians will immediately work to diagnose symptoms and begin the appropriate treatment.
Do not delay an exam if you are over 55, have unexplained vaginal bleeding or discharge, or know yourself to be at risk for uterine cancer. This is a serious condition, and though treatable is best dealt with as early as possible to ensure the best outcome.
Sources
MayoClinic. Endometrial Cancer causes. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometrial-cancer/basics/causes/con-20033696