Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Women with a uterus who take estrogen replacement therapy alone (without progestin) for 5 or more years to treat
symptoms of menopause have a tenfold greater risk of
uterine cancer than those women who are not taking estrogen therapy. Adding progestin therapy to estrogen therapy (combined hormone therapy) decreases the risk of developing uterine cancer or precancerous lesions, such as atypical hyperplasia.
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modifiers (SERMs)
Tamoxifen and
raloxifene are selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) that are being studied to prevent
breast cancer. Women who use tamoxifen are at an increased risk of developing uterine cancer, and postmenopausal women are at an even greater risk. Raloxifene has not been shown to increase a woman's risk of developing uterine cancer.
Diet and Lifestyle
Women who are obese are at a greater risk of developing uterine cancer.
Hereditary Conditions
Women who carry the hereditary nonpolyposis
colorectal cancer (HNPCC) genetic abnormality have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
The risk of developing uterine cancer is higher in women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome, which is a disorder of the hormones made by the ovaries.
Age at Menstruation and Menopause
Beginning menstruation at an early age and beginning
menopause at a late age increases the risk of developing uterine cancer.
Number of Children
Women who have never been pregnant have a greater risk of developing uterine cancer than women who have had children.
Uterine Cancer Prevention: Protective Factors
Uterine cancer protective factors may include:
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