Ifill’s death raises awareness of endometrial cancer

When longtime journalist Gwen Evil recently passed away after a battle with endometrial cancer, her unexpected death shed light on a disease that isn’t getting enough attention. Endometrial cancer, a form of uterine cancer, is the most common type of cancer of the female reproductive organs among American women, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS); However, many of the general public know very little about it. In the spirit of Ifill’s legendary career, dedicated to breaking down the barriers for women in the press and educating the public about the important news of the day, our cancer experts wanted to take the time to share key facts about endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer begins when cells in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) begin to grow out of control. Endometrial cancer and uterine cancer are sometimes used interchangeably, but uterine cancer is a broader term used to describe cancers that affect any area of ​​the uterus, including but not limited to the endometrium. Another primary type of uterine cancer is uterine sarcoma, a rare tumor that forms in the uterine muscle. Approximately 60,050 new cases of uterine cancer will be diagnosed in 2016 in the United States, according to the ACS. It is generally one of the most treatable cancers, with a five-year survival rate of 83 percent, according to estimates by the American Cancer Society. Currently, more than 600,000 endometrial cancer survivors live in the United States.

Who gets endometrial cancer?

Endometrial cancer mainly affects postmenopausal women. The average age of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer is 60 years. While the disease is rare in women younger than 45, rates of new infection in women younger than 50 have risen just over 1 percent annually since 1988, the American Psychiatric Association reports. . “We’re seeing more cases of endometriosis in younger patients because of obesity,” says Dr. John Geisler, a gynecological oncologist at our hospital near Atlanta.

Certain lifestyle factors increase a woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer, but they do not always cause the disease. Many women with one or more risk factors never develop endometrial cancer. “Obesity is the main risk factor,” says Dr. Geisler. “If you are 50 pounds overweight, you have a 10-fold increased risk of developing endometrial cancer.”

Other risk factors for endometrial cancer include:

• Family history (having close relatives with endometrial or colorectal cancer)
• Changes in hormonal balance.
• diabetic
• Personal history of endometrial hyperplasia.
• Previous treatments with pelvic radiotherapy for another cancer
• No previous pregnancies

Can endometrial cancer be detected?

There is no simple screening test for endometrial cancer. Cases of endometrial cancer are usually found when a woman goes to the doctor and complains of bleeding or unusual bleeding. “After menopause, any vaginal bleeding is abnormal,” says Kelly Manahan, MD, a gynecological oncologist at our hospital outside of Atlanta. “Any abnormal bleeding should be checked by a doctor, even if it is bleeding in a small amount or is pink. A visit to the doctor can help with early detection.” A biopsy is usually done on a sample of endometrial tissue to look for cancer.

Other symptoms can include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge, no blood
• Pelvic pain or cramps
• Unexplained weight loss

Endometrial cancer can be treated with several options, and the patient’s age and general health are often taken into account as considerations. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and in rare cases, radiation therapy. “Endometrial cancer can usually be cured with the right treatment,” says Dr. Manahan. “The bottom line is that any abnormal spotting or bleeding should be checked out by a doctor.”