Because this cancer causes bleeding in the vagina, it can be detected early. Signs include:

• Bleeding after attaining menopause
• Bleeding in between cycles of periods
• Pain in the pelvic area

Normally the cells in the body have a life cycle – they grow, multiply and die. However, cancer cells are cells that have mutated. They grow very fast and do not die. As a result, they form tumours. The exact cause for cells becoming cancer cells is not known. A few risk factors however, have been identified.

• Any health condition that leads to hormonal imbalance
• Early set in of menstrual cycle
• Late menopause
• Old age
• Being overweight
• Being treated with hormones for other conditions
• Lynch syndrome

Endometrial cancer can cause anaemia. Anaemia will manifest as dizziness, fatigue, headache, pain in the chest, palpitations and breathlessness.

• Complete pelvic examination
• Transvaginal ultrasound
• Hysteroscopy to examine the uterus
• Biopsy of endometrium
• Dilation and curettage

Treatment depends on how far the cancer has progressed. To determine this, a chest x-ray, CT scan and PET scan may be done. The results will help the doctor classify the stage of cancer and begin appropriate treatment.

• Surgical removal of uterus and associated organs – this will make pregnancy impossible. The doctor will discuss the implications of surgery in detail before deciding on it. During surgery, sometimes the lymph node may be removed for further testing to determine the cancer spread.
• Chemotherapy – using chemicals to kill cancer cells
• Radiation therapy – using radiation to kill cancer cells
• Immunotherapy – boosting the body’s immune system to kill cancer cells
• Palliative care for pain relief
• Hormone therapy – to reduce the hormones the cancer cells rely on for growth

• Patients on hormone therapy can discuss alternative treatment options with their doctor. The pros and cons of hormone therapy need to be weighed.
• Tablets for birth control are thought to possibly prevent endometrial cancer.
• Maintaining ideal weight helps reduce endometrial cancer risk.