Uterine Cancer Risk Factors

The following have been suggested as risk factors for uterine cancer:

age 50 or over
history of endometrial hyperplasia
estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)
Women who use estrogen, without progesterone, have an increased risk of developing uterine cancer.
obesity
diabetes
hypertension (high blood pressure)
history of an inherited form of colon cancer

The following are known risk factors for uterine cancer:

history of taking tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment or prevention
race: African-American women are affected at a rate twice that of Caucasian or Asian women.
history of radiation therapy to the pelvic area

The following have been suggested as risk factors for endometrial cancer:

early menarche - starting monthly periods early - before the age of 12
late menopause (after the age of 52)
infertility (inability to become pregnant)
never having children
obesity
being treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer
estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for treatment of effects of menopause
diet high in animal fat
diabetes
age 55 or over
Caucasian women
family history of endometrial cancer or colon cancer (hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
personal history of breast cancer
personal history of ovarian cancer
prior radiation therapy for pelvic cancer
personal history of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or atypical endometrial hyperplasia