Love triangle

The twisted love triangle of endometrial cancer: Obesity, hypertension, and postmenopausal bleeding keep us on our toes.

Endometrial cancer is cancer of the lining of the uterus and primarily affects postmenopausal women, generally between the ages of 50 and 70.

Of all the cancers found, it is the one most closely associated with obesity. Therefore, more than 50% of endometrial cancers can be attributed to obesity. It should be clarified that not all obese women will develop endometrial cancer.

White women have a higher incidence of endometrial cancer compared with other ethnic groups; however, African Americans and Latinas have higher mortality rates.

Obesity can lead to hormonal imbalance because fat tissue can convert androgens into estrogens, causing estrogen to increase in the body. The increase in estrogen can stimulate the growth of the uterine lining and promote the development of endometrial cancer.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diabetes, and high blood pressure are at increased risk of endometrial cancer.

Other factors associated with endometrial cancer include: use of estrogen hormone therapy without a progestin, early onset of menstruation or late menopause, preterm pregnancy (nulliparity), a family history of cancer of the endometrium or colon in women (Lynch syndrome), and use of tamoxifen (a drug used to treat breast cancer).

The most common symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause. For premenopausal women, abnormal bleeding between periods can be a warning sign of endometrial cancer.

Among these symptoms, the most prominent are watery or bloody discharge unrelated to the menstrual cycle and unexplained weight loss.

In the Dominican Republic, more and more women are going through menopause. Life expectancy for women is 77.5 years. 45% of women of childbearing age are overweight, 17% are obese, and 32% of women have high blood pressure.

Statistics of factors associated with endometrial cancer predict an increased incidence of endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer ranks third among gynecological cancers, after breast cancer and cervical cancer.

Taking care of your health is an act of love.