Influence of Estrogen on the NSCLC Microenvironment: A Comprehensive Picture and Clinical Implications
Uterine Cancer Rates Are Increasing: What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?
Uterine cancer is the most common type of gynecologic cancer. It's estimated that about 67,880 new cases will be diagnosed in 2024. Approximately 13,250 people will die from this disease in the U.S. In 2024, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Researchers recently reported that while death rates for the most common type of uterine cancer—endometrioid cancer—remained stable, deaths from rare and aggressive types of uterine cancer increased significantly each year from 2010 to 2017. The study also revealed a disproportionate increase in uterine cancer deaths among the Hispanic, Black and Asian communities.
Although uterine cancer can't be fully prevented, and there is no standard screening for it, an annual pelvic examination is recommended.
Kristina Butler, M.D., a Mayo Clinic gynecologic oncologist, explains what you need to know to stay vigilant and reduce your risk:
Understand uterine cancer types and how they developLike other cancers, uterine cancer can develop when mutations happen in the DNA cells of your uterus and endometrium, also called the endometrial lining. Sometimes, these mutations can turn normal, healthy cells into abnormal cells that grow and multiply uncontrollably and invade nearby tissues.
When this happens, two main types of cancer can develop:
Both types of uterine cancer also have more aggressive subtypes.
Changes in the balance of hormones also can be a risk factor for uterine cancer.
Estrogen and progesterone regulate changes in the endometrium that are part of the monthly menstrual cycle. When estrogen increases but progesterone does not, the risk of endometrial cancer can increase. This can occur with obesity because fat cells increase estrogen without progesterone, which functions to keep the uterus cancer-free.
Certain medications and conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome and obesity, or changes such as menopause, can also affect your estrogen levels.
"With age, menopause quiets the uterus, but that's when we notice the increased incidence of uterine cancer because abnormal mutations can happen," says Dr. Butler.
Watch for abnormal vaginal bleeding and other symptomsDr. Butler says abnormal vaginal bleeding can be a sign of uterine cancer. If you've gone through menopause and no longer have a monthly menstrual cycle, any amount of blood is considered abnormal. "If you have any bleeding after menopause, it's so important to get checked out quickly," she adds.
For younger people who haven't gone through menopause, abnormal bleeding can include bleeding between your menstrual cycles or after sex, and prolonged or heavy bleeding.
Though in many cases abnormal bleeding can be attributed to noncancerous conditions, it's best to talk to your health care professional if you notice changes in your cycle that are out of the ordinary for you.
Improve your lifestyle choicesYou can reduce some of the known risks of uterine cancer by improving your diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.
"We are seeing a rise in diagnoses of uterine cancer, and we think this is because there's also a rise in other conditions and diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity," says Dr. Butler.
Obesity increases your risk of uterine cancer because extra weight can affect your menstrual cycle.
"In younger obese people, menses may not occur regularly, which allows thickening, and cancer can develop," she says.
If you need support in reaching your health goals, be sure to talk to your health care professional about support and resources that might be available to you, and learn about how a healthy diet can help reduce cancer risk. Also, taking a birth control pill can lower the risk of uterine cancer by 50%.
Discuss your risk factors with a health care professional you trustAwareness of your risk factors for uterine cancer can help you and your health care professional stay ahead of this type of cancer. Although factors like age, family history and certain health conditions might not be in your control, they can help your health care professional decide if testing for uterine cancer is right for you.
If they apply to you, consider discussing these risk factors with your health care professional:
Though endometrial cancer isn't usually an inherited disease, familial conditions like Lynch syndrome can increase your risk of developing it. If you don't know your family history, consider talking to a genetic counselor to learn more about your personal risk.
Dr. Butler says it's also important to find a health care professional you trust who makes you feel heard.
"Finding someone you feel comfortable with is key because you have to have open communication," she says. "You should feel safe talking with them and having those intimate discussions."
If you are diagnosed with uterine cancer, Dr. Butler says you should try to seek care from National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers.
"We know that people have improved outcomes when they go to these centers, because they follow guidelines and provide the best evidence-based care for women," she says.
As cancer experts work to learn more about uterine cancer and better screening, Dr. Butler says the most important thing you can do is stay up to date on your annual screenings, listen to your body and advocate for yourself if something isn't normal.
When it comes to abnormal bleeding, her advice is straightforward: "Don't ignore it. It can be the first sign that something abnormal is happening and can help us detect uterine cancer early."
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'My Cancer Treatment Triggered A Minefield Of Menopause Symptoms At Just 26'
Angelina Hardy Taylor had barely come to terms with her breast cancer diagnosis before entering a new "minefield" of menopause symptoms caused by her treatment.
Surgery and chemotherapy saved the 29-year-old's life after her oncologist described her as a "ticking timebomb". But hormone injections given to protect her ovaries also triggered early menopause - something that affects thousands of women across the UK.
Angelina, who works as a senior customer advisor at Boots, is sharing her story in support of the high street chain's partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support which will train 1,400 pharmacy technicians to support patients in-store.
Angelina was diagnosed in November 2021 after finding a lump in her breast, and underwent surgery the following month.
Medics warned her that delaying her chemotherapy to undergo fertility treatment would be risky, as her cancer was aggressive.
READ MORE: King Charles's superfood he's started eating amid his cancer recovery journey
She was placed into medical menopause aged just 26 and will no longer be able to carry a child.
Angelina said: "There wasn't anyone to prepare me at all for what the medical menopause would be like.
"All I was told was I wouldn't have my period anymore, I wasn't told that I would be left with debilitating bone pain, joint pain, hot flushes, that my skin and hair would change.
"I didn't have guidance around what food I could eat/ vitamins I could take. It was an absolute minefield.
"I said to my doctor I want the strongest treatment no matter what because I do not want to die. And on the other hand I am still struggling with the menopause."
Angelina, of Mansfield in Nottingham, said she struggled to come to terms with the side effects of her treatment and "not feeling like a woman," while watching her friends welcome or plan for babies.
She added: "For me that was a huge moment. My choice was taken away from me. I will never know what it is like to carry a child/be a mother.
"It made me feel so womanless, my femininity was robbed from me and it wasn't a choice."
Angelina, who has had no evidence of active cancer for two years, felt alienated from the menopause community due to her age.
Her dad also recently died of bladder cancer and she has lost friends to other forms of the disease.
"It feels like I shouldn't acknowledge it as it makes me feel like I'm complaining about it – when in fact I'm in the menopause as a result of lifesaving treatment," she said.
"You are put in this survivor's guilt category immediately. You lose people on the way and I'm still losing people I have met along the journey."
When she sought help, Angelina said her GP only offered her a sympathetic look and said there was nothing they could really do for her.
She added: "This is a typical response we are met with. There is a need for practical advice."
Analysis by Macmillan estimates that around 60,000 women diagnosed with cancer under the age of 50 are struggling with hormone-related side effects including early menopause.
It can occur as a result of several cancer treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal treatments.
Boots and Macmillan have already trained more than 2,500 information pharmacists and 600 beauty advisors in stores across the UK. They will now train 1,400 pharmacy technicians in the coming months.
Dr Hannah Tharmalingam, a consultant oncologist and national clinical advisor at Macmillan, said the initiative would allow more cancer patients to easily access support.
She added: "Menopause induced by cancer treatment is a different experience to a naturally occurring menopause and can require additional support.
"Firstly, it is usually accelerated, making the physical and emotional toll higher. A medically-induced menopause can also result in infertility as well as a higher risk of medical conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, which are commonly associated with much older women.
"At Macmillan, we encourage all women going through cancer treatment who may experience early menopause due to their treatment, to speak to their oncologist or GP about how to manage their menopause symptoms – both in terms of their physical and mental health."
Claire Nevinson, Boots superintendent pharmacist, said: "Early menopause caused by cancer treatment is an issue that can be overlooked, leaving women in this situation feeling isolated and unsure of where to turn to for help.
"Through our partnership with Macmillan we aim to close this gap and ensure that those going through this challenging experience can access advice, emotional support, and signposting through our pharmacies, right on the high street."
Jenny Powell, 56, Undergoes A Hysterectomy Performed By A Robot After Suffering With Menopause As She Shares Update From Hospital
Jenny Powell revealed she has undergone a hysterectomy performed by a robot as she shared an update from her hospital bed on Thursday.
The presenter, 56, who has spoken out about her severe menopause symptoms in the past, said she had suffered for 'so long.'
Speaking ahead of her surgery in a clip on her Instagram Story, she explained: 'I've suffered for so long with all sorts of symptoms and tried all sorts, but yeah it's time, so hence the hysterectomy.
'Because I'm menopausal of course things are different it's not like this is been brought on early.
'But I'm just wondering if they'll be any connection between it and my emotions. So it will be interesting. I'm just about to put my fancy gown on so come back later.'
Jenny Powell revealed she has undergone a hysterectomy performed by a robot as she shared an update from her hospital bed on Thursday
The presenter, 56, who has spoken out about her severe menopause symptoms in the past, said she had suffered for 'so long'
Sharing another update, she continued: 'My operation for my hysterectomy is going to be performed by a robot. Always expect the unexpected. I have an amazing surgeon doctor.'
After her procedure, Jenny showed off her scars and sipped on a chocolate protein powder to aid her recovery.
The high-tech remote-controlled machines were deployed by NHS Trusts to clear the backlog of women who missed out on vital operations during the Covid pandemic.
While the devices cost just under £2 million each, they slash the time it takes to perform the delicate surgery, and as they also work with pinpoint accuracy it means patients recover faster.
Called Hominis, this surgical system is operated by a human controller who maneuvers the robotic arms while watching the procedure happening on a screen in real time.
The robot features shoulder, elbow and wrist joints to provide human human level dexterity and 360-degree articulation.
An additional arm guides a laparoscopic video camera through a small, separate incision, to help visualize the internal procedure.
Hominis enters through the vagina to perform the hysterectomy and then wraps its arms around the uterus to perform the operation.
Speaking ahead of her surgery in a clip on her Instagram Story, she explained: 'I've suffered for so long with all sorts of symptoms and tried all sorts, but yeah it's time'
After her procedure, Jenny showed off her neat scars and sipped on a chocolate protein powder to aid her recovery
The high-tech remote-controlled machines were deployed by NHS Trusts to clear the backlog of women who missed out on vital operations during the Covid pandemic
Jenny previously revealed she was forced into hospital after severe menopause symptoms left her struggling to 'get out of bed every day'.
The presenter said she was forced to undergo an iron infusion after suffering from anaemia due to severe blood loss.
She told Closer magazine: 'The menopause affected me mentally and I didn't feel like me. My periods were awful, I'd have to change about five times a day and I lost that much blood that I became anaemic. I was really tired and depressed.
'I'd struggle to get out of bed and I couldn't wait to go back to bed at night.'
Jenny spoke candidly about her experience with perimenopause - the time before a woman's periods stop - and said she didn't address her symptoms straight away and her condition became worse because she'd left it so long.
It meant she ended up needing treatment in hospital, adding: 'I left it too long to get it sorted, so in the end I had to have iron infusions in hospital.'
What is a hysterectomy?A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a woman's uterus.
There are three kinds:
The operation is most commonly performed on women between the ages of 40 and 49.
More than 20 million American women have had a hysterectomy, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As women approach menopause, the odds that they will develop one of several serious uterine health conditions increases. Doctors may recommend a hysterectomy as a treatment for:
In some cases, doctors may suggest a hysterectomy as a preventative measure if a woman has significant warning or early signs of developing one or more of these conditions.
When necessary, surgeons may also remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes, if these have also been damaged or are at serious risk of damage.
The removal of reproductive organs sends a woman's body into menopause, no matter how old she is.
This comes with unpleasant side effects like hot flashes, and many women have to start hormone therapy, taking oestrogen to balance out their own hormones.
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