Uterine cancer is the term sometimes used to describe endometrial cancer, which is one of the most common cancers in American women, according to the Mayo Clinic. The uterus is the pelvic organ a fetus grows and develops in. This cancer begins in the lining of the uterus, also known as the endometrium. Its symptoms include pelvic pain, longer periods or bleeding in between periods. The exact cause of uterine cancer is not known, but many risk factors are clear.
Hormone Levels
The higher a woman's estrogen levels, the greater her risk for developing uterine cancer. As the American Cancer Society explains, hormone balance is a key aspect in most uterine cancers. Prior to menopause, the ovaries are the primary source for progesterone and estrogen, the main female hormones. After menopause, the balance is uneven, leaning toward larger amounts of estrogen; this increases a woman's risk of uterine cancer. Menstrual cycles are another cause for this hormonal imbalance.
Menstrual Cycles
The more menstrual cycles a woman has in her life, the greater her risk for developing uterine cancer; the more cycles she has, the more estrogen she is exposed to. Those with the highest risk are women who began their cycles before the age of 12 and experience a late menopause. The American Cancer Society explains that the risk is slightly lower in women who began their cycle prior to the age of 12, but who experience their change early in life.
Obesity
While ovaries are the primary source of estrogen, fat tissue can produce it as well. The more fat tissue one has, the greater her risk for developing this cancer. The Mayo Clinic states that obese women are three times more likely to suffer from uterine cancer, while overweight women--or women slightly overweight--face twice the risk.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy
In some cases, estrogen is given during menopause to help relieve its symptoms, including vaginal dryness and hot flashes. It is also given to women who have an earlier than normal menopause, such as those who lose their ovaries due to a hysterectomy. Giving estrogen alone increases a woman's risk, while combining the treatment with progesterone lowers it slightly.
Fewer Pregnancies
Women with fewer pregnancies, or those who have never been pregnant, may develop uterine cancer versus women with multiple pregnancies. The reason lies within the hormones once more--during pregnancy, greater amounts of progesterone are present.
