1. Whom should we consult if a person is suffering from endometrial cancer?

You can consult a gynecologist or a surgical oncologist.

2. What are the risk factors for endometrial cancer?

Most of the known risk factors for endometrial cancer appear to be related to changes in the balance between estrogen and progesterone, the two main female hormones. Other risk factors are early menarche, late menopause, No children, Failure to ovulate and Obesity.

3. What causes uterine cancer?

The cause of uterine cancer is not known. The ovaries make most of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. If the uterus is exposed to too much estrogen over a long period of time, cancer cells may develop.

4. Why does obesity increase the risk for uterine cancer?

When you’re obese, you have more fatty tissue in your body. Fatty tissue creates more estrogen. And the more estrogen your uterus is exposed to, the greater your risk is of developing endometrial carcinoma.

5. What are the symptoms of endometrial cancer?

The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding that occurs around or after menopause. Other symptoms include, Abnormal vaginal discharge, Pelvic pain, Painful or difficult urination, Pain during intercourse, Unusual weight loss and Pelvic mass.

6. Can anything be done to prevent endometrial cancer?

Because we do not know what exactly causes endometrial cancer, most cases cannot be prevented. However, there are several steps a woman can take that may help to reduce her risk of developing the disease. These include maintain ideal weight, annual pelvic exams, Endometrial biopsy at menopause for women at high risk, use of combination oral contraceptives, controlling obesity and diabetes, taking a combination of estrogen and progesterone and obtaining proper treatment for any precancerous disorders of the endometrium, such as endometrial hyperplasia.

7. How is endometrial cancer treated?

The choice of treatment depends largely on the type of cancer, the stage of the disease, your age, your overall state of health, whether you plan to have children, and other personal considerations. There are four basic types of treatment for women with endometrial cancer - surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy.