One in three women will develop cancer in her lifetime. There are some risk factors that all women should know:

States:
Every year, there are more than 41,100 cases of uterine cancer, and more than 7,400 deaths from the disease. It is the most common female pelvic malignancy and usually strikes between the ages of 50 and 70, usually occurring in women who have already gone through menopause.

The highest incidence of uterine cancer occurs in Caucasian women (22.4 per 100,000), followed by African American women (15.3 per 100,000). However, African-American women have a higher death rate, signifying that the disease is not detected in many African American women until its later stages.

Symptoms:
A symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding or spotting. Pain during urination, intercourse, or in the lower pelvis are also symptoms. These symptoms don’t necessarily mean that cancer is present, but they are signs that should be investigated by a physician.

Risk Factors:
Estrogen replacement therapy (without the use of progrestin), early onset of periods, late menopause, never having children, and long-term tamoxifen use increase a woman’s risk of developing uterine cancer. Also, hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer and infertility increase a woman’s risk.

Prevention:
A complete hormone replacement therapy after menopause is believed to offset some of the risk for women who have used estrogen-only replacement therapy. Pregnancy and the use of birth control pills during the course of a woman’s life may provide some protection as well.

Early Detection:
Most uterine cancer is diagnosed at an early stage due to postmenopausal bleeding. Women should report any expected bleeding or spotting to their physicians.

For women with or at high risk of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, an endometrial biopsy is recommended beginning at age 35.

Treatment:
Uterine cancer is treated with surgery, radiation, hormones, and chemotherapy, if needed.

Survival:
92% of uterine cancer patients survive for only one year if the cancer is caught in a late stage. However, if caught early, 95% of patients can expect to live for five years or more. The survival rate drops to 67% if the woman is diagnosed with the cancer at a regional stage.