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Cancer of the lining of the uterus (or womb) is called endometrial cancer. You can increase the chances that endometrial cancer will be found early by having any unusual bleeding checked by your doctor right away. Endometrial cancer can almost always be treated successfully if it's caught early.
Certain things may put you at greater risk for getting endometrial cancer, one being age. Endometrial cancer is most common in women who are over 50 years old. Women who have never been pregnant and women who use a medicine called tamoxifen may also be at greater risk. |
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Risk factors for Increased Risk of Endometrial Cancer:
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Increased Risk of Endometrial Cancer can lead to:
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Recommendations for Increased Risk of Endometrial Cancer:
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KEY
 | | Weak or unproven link |
 | | Strong or generally accepted link |
 | | Weakly counter-indicative |
 | | Very strongly or absolutely counter-indicative |
 | | May do some good |
 | | Highly recommended |
 | | Reasonably likely to cause problems |
GLOSSARY
Biopsy: Excision of tissue from a living being for diagnosis.
Cancer: Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.
D&C: Dilation and curettage or D&C, is the scraping of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium).
There are two main reasons for performing a D&C: in recently pregnant woman in order to remove tissue remaining in the womb, and as part of the investigation of heavy or irregular periods or vaginal bleeding after menopause.
Dilatation: Normal increase in the size of a body opening, blood vessel, or tube.
Estrogen: One of the female sex hormones produced by the ovaries.
Melatonin: The only hormone secreted into the bloodstream by the pineal gland. The hormone appears to inhibit numerous endocrine functions, including the gonadotropic hormones. Research exists on the efficacy of melatonin in treating jet lag and certain sleep disorders. Dosages greater than l milligram have been associated with drowsiness, headaches, disturbances in sleep/wake cycles and is contraindicated in those who are on antidepressive medication. It also negatively influences insulin utilization.
Menopause: The cessation of menstruation (usually not official until 12 months have passed without periods), occurring at the average age of 52. As commonly used, the word denotes the time of a woman's life, usually between the ages of 45 and 54, when periods cease and any symptoms of low estrogen levels persist, including hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, loss of libido and vaginal dryness. When these early menopausal symptoms subside, a woman becomes postmenopausal.
Postmenopause: The postmenopausal phase of a woman's life begins when 12 full months have passed since the last menstrual period and any menopausal symptoms have become milder and/or less frequent.