About this Cancer
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, around 8,600 Canadian women will be diagnosed with cancer in 2024. Of those diagnosed, around 17% will die from it (1,600).
This cancer ranks 4th among cancers that affect women, on an upward trend.
Source: Canadian Cancer Society
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Symptoms of uterine cancer include:
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain or pressure in the pelvis, lower abdomen, back or legs
- Pain during urination
- Pain during bowel movements or blood in the stool
- Bleeding from the bladder or rectum
- Buildup of fluid in the abdomen or legs
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
For more information, visit the Canadian Cancer Society or the American Cancer Society
Risk factors for uterine cancer include:
- Hormone risk factors:
- Estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Number of menstrual periods
- Never giving birth
- Tamoxifen
- Estrogen-producing ovarian tumours
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Radiation therapy to the pelvis
- Cowden syndrome or Lynch Syndrome
- Family history of endometrial or colorectal cancer
- History of breast or ovarian cancer
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Older age
- Low levels of physical activity
For more information, visit the Canadian Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society, or Mayo Clinic.
Diagnosis options include
- Physical exam
- Pelvic exam
- Blood tests
- Complete blood count
- Transvaginal ultrasound
- Biopsy
- Endoscopy
- Blood chemistry tests
- Tumor marker tests
- Imaging tests (eg. Barium enema)
- Endometrial biopsy
- Hysteroscopy
- Dilation and curettage
For more information, visit the Canadian Cancer Society or Cleveland Clinic.
Treatment options vary depending on the tumor type, stage, and more. Options include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Hormonal therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic, or Cleveland Clinic.
Stories from Survivors
We currently do not have any uterine cancer stories. If you have any, please send them to us at info@survivornet.ca.
Resources
- Endometrial Cancer – A guide to healthy eating and being active
- Endometrial Cancer – Nutrition Guide for Clinicians
- Endometrial Cancer Pathway Map
- Foods That Fight Uterine Cancer
- Reducing your risk for uterine cancer
- The Most Common Warning Sign of Uterine Cancer (YouTube)
- Uterine Cancer: Expert Answers 5 Common Questions | Stanford Center for Health Education (YouTube)
- What Is Uterine Cancer? | Ask Cleveland Clinic’s Expert (YouTube)
- August 2024 – Identification of novel biomarkers and potential molecular targets for uterine cancer using network-based approach – Science Direct
- June 24, 2024 – Uterine cancer incidence trends and 5-year relative survival by race/ethnicity and histology among women under 50 years – Science Direct
- April 15, 2024 – Top advances of the year: Uterine cancer – American Cancer Society
- January 2024 – Uterine cancer deaths certified as part unspecified: an unsolved issue – European Journal of Cancer Prevention
- January 2024 – Comparing long-term sexual dysfunction across different uterine cancer treatment modalities – Science Direct
- October 17, 2022 – Use of straighteners and other hair products and incident uterine cancer – Journal of The National Cancer Institute
- September 2021 – Sleep deprivation and quality of life among uterine cancer survivors: systematic review – Springer Link
- February 2021 – Current status of clinical trials for cervical and uterine cancer using immunotherapy combined with radiation – Science Direct
Uterine Cancer Groups
We currently do not know of any Canadian uterine cancer groups. If you know of any, please send them to us at info@survivornet.ca.