Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer: Prevention

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Prevention

While some risk factors for endometrial cancer are inherited, such as a family history of endometrial or colon cancer, other risk factors are under your control. You can reduce your risk for developing endometrial cancer if you:

• Use birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progestin, if you need birth control. Protection from combined hormonal pills lasts for 10 or more years after you stop taking the medication if the medication is taken for 1 year or longer.¹
• Use progestin along with estrogen if you decide to try hormone therapy for symptoms of menopause. Taking progestin with estrogen will not increase your risk for endometrial cancer, but it has other risks you may want to consider. For more information, see the topics Menopause and Perimenopause and Osteoporosis.
• Maintain a healthy body weight. Overweight women are more likely to have high levels of estrogen in their bodies, because some estrogen is produced in the body's fat cells. For more information on controlling your weight, see the topic Healthy Weight.
• Breast-feed if you are able. This decreases ovulation and estrogen activity.
• Recognize and get treatment for abnormal or unexpected bleeding. (Endometrial hyperplasia, which may develop into endometrial cancer, is one cause of abnormal bleeding.) Heavy menstrual periods, bleeding between periods, and bleeding after menopause are symptoms of hyperplasia.
• Exercise regularly. Physical activity may reduce unhealthy weight and may reduce estrogen levels.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber, and phytoestrogens, such as soy.¹²
• Decrease your intake of animal fats.

You have no risk for endometrial cancer if you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy).

Last updated:	November 27, 2006
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC