Cause of Uterine Cancer
The cause of uterine cancer is not yet known. However, researchers have identified certain risk factors for uterine cancer. While a risk factor is not a cause of uterine cancer, it increases a woman's chances of developing the disease. Risk factors for uterine cancer may include being over 50 years of age, having endometrial hyperplasia, being obese, and receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Cause of Uterine Cancer: An Introduction
No one knows the exact cause of
uterine cancer, a disease in which cancer cells first form in the tissues of the uterus. Doctors can seldom explain why one person will get uterine cancer and another person will not. However, it is clear that uterine cancer is not contagious -- no one can "catch" uterine cancer from another person.
Most cases of uterine cancer occur in the lining (endometrium) of the uterus. This article uses the term "uterine cancer" to refer to this type of cancer, also known as endometrial cancer. This article does not discuss a rare type of uterine cancer that can occur in the muscles or other tissues that support the uterus. Click Uterine Sarcoma for more information on this topic.
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop uterine cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease. While risk factors do not cause uterine cancer, they may act together to increase the risk of developing the disease.
Causes of Uterine Cancer: Know the Risk Factors
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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