Uterine Cancer - Endometrial and Cervical Cancer

Uterine Cancer describes cancer of the uterus which is part of the reproductive system. Each year, more than 43,000 women are diagnosed with uterine cancer in the United States alone. Although most are over older women - 55 years and older - younger women are also at risk.

There are several types of Uterine Cancer, but two are most prevalent. The two most common types of Uterine Cancer are:

1. Endometrial Cancer which affects older women - 55 years and older - and mostly between the ages of 60s and 70s

   and

2. Cervical Cancer which affects younger women.

Endometrial Cancer occurs in the inside lining of the uterus. The wall of the uterus has two layers of tissue - the inner layer and the outer layer.

The inner layer or inner lining is called the endometrium. The endometrium grows thicker each month in women of child bearing age as it prepares for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, this thick, bloody lining flows out as the menstrual period.

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding. Because most women with Endometrial Cancer are post menopausal, vaginal bleeding in itself is abnormal. Therefore it is usually easy to identify, diagnose and treat. Once identified early enough, the cure rate is very high - even as high as 90 percent.

• In more advanced stages of the disease, there can be:
  • Pelvic pain
  • pain during sexual intercourse
  • fatigue
  • weight loss

Cervical Cancer usually affects younger women. Each year, more than 12,200 women are diagnosed with Cervical Cancer in the United States resulting in over 4,000 deaths.

Cervical Cancer is a very preventable cancer through regular screening and vaccination.

• Obesity. Obese women have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer.

• Taking estrogen alone. The inside lining of the uterus is very susceptible to estrogen. Therefore anything that increases estrogen content result in a higher risk.

  For example, if a woman is receiving hormone therapy for estrogen without the sufficient accompanying progesterone, she is prone to the disease.

• Reproductive and menstrual history. Women are at increased risk of uterine cancer if at least one of the following conditions apply:
  • Never gave birth
  • First menstrual period was before age 12
  • Was older than 55 before menopause

• HPV infection. HPV is a group of viruses that can infect the cervix.

• Smoking. Smoking cigarettes by women who are infected with HPV is a added risk of developing cervical cancer.

If caught early enough before it migrates and spreads, removing the uterus and surrounding organs and the fallopian tubes and the ovaries is usually sufficient.

The migration process is commonly called metastasis. At this stage, the cancer is harder to treat, hence the importance of early recognition of Cervical Cancer symptoms.

The following actions contribute to the prevention of the disease.

• Annual women exam. - Older women should have an annual medical examination that includes screening and pap smear.

  This is also recommended for younger women if they are in a high risk group.

• HPV Vaccines. HPV Vaccines given to younger females protect against the pavilona virus that causes cervical cancer.

• Consult a physician. If any symptoms are observed, consult a physician. Besides prevention, early detection is the best alternative for success against the disease.

More information regarding Uterine Cancer can be found here.

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