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Endometrial Cancer Causes & Risk Factors |
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| The main cause of most endometrial cancer is an imbalance between the hormone estrogen compared to the body's progesterone level. Progesterone is responsible for the process of menstrual bleeding, which thins the lining of the uterus (endometrium) each month. When there is too much estrogen in the body, progesterone can't do its job and the the endometrium gets thicker. Over time, the endometrial cells can become cancerous. |
Related Health Info 
Endometrial Cancer Screening
Endometrial Cancer Prevention
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Risk Factors May Include
- Estrogen-only replacement therapy (taking estrogen in combination with the hormone progesterone does not appear to increase the risk of endometrial cancer)
- Taking tamoxifen to treat or prevent breast cancer. If you're taking or have taken tamoxifen, be sure to see your physician for an annual pelvic exam and report any unusual vaginal bleeding
- Infertility or never giving birth
- Starting menstruation early (usually before age 12) which exposes your endometrium to more estrogen over time
- Starting menopause after age 50
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- A high-fat diet
- The presence of ovarian tumors such as granulosa-theca cell tumors that make estrogen, or polycystic ovarian disease
- The gene for hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
- Personal history of ovarian or breast cancer, which share some of the same risk factors with endometrial cancer
Learn More About Endometrial Cancer
 Request a Consultation with a UCSD Gynecologic Oncology Specialist Using our Online Form
 Call our New Patient Office at (858) 822-6100, or toll-free (866) 773-2703
Gynecologic Cancer Unit
Moores UCSD Cancer Center
3855 Health Sciences Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093
(866) 773-2703 |