Prevention

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Uterine cancer can be prevented by maintaining a normal weight and preventing diabetes. Knowing your risk factors for this gynecologic cancer can help you be more aware of it, as well as try to find ways to avoid continual estrogen stimulation of the uterine lining, also called "unopposed estrogen."

For example, women with a family history of early onset colorectal cancer or other reproductive cancers may have an increased risk for uterine cancer. The cancers in these families may be caused by a genetic predisposition to cancer called hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer, or HNPCC. As many as half of women with HNPCC will develop endometrial cancer. Genetic counseling is recommended for women with an early onset (before age 50) colon, breast or other clustering of cancers in the family.

Progesterone can prevent most endometrial cancers, either via production from the ovaries in premenopausal women or via supplemental estrogen taken with hormone therapy after menopause.

The following may help you reduce your risk of developing uterine cancer or identify it early:

• Control your weight and your risk of diabetes by eating healthy foods and exercising. Women who are slim can cut their risk of endometrial cancer by 75 percent compared to obese women.

• If you still have your uterus, don't take supplemental estrogen without also taking progestin or progesterone.

• Report abnormal bleeding promptly to your health care professional and ask for an examination.