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5 Subtle Signs of Endometrial Cancer You Should Never Ignore, According to Doctors
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The endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, is the layer of tissue that thickens every month in preparation for a possible pregnancy. But just as a baby can grow there, so can nasty cancer cells. Endometrial cancer, also called uterine cancer, is diagnosed in over 69,000 women every year, per the National Cancer Institute. And since there's no screening test to catch it, knowing and recognizing the signs of endometrial cancer is key to early detection.
"Pap tests don't check for or find endometrial cancer, and most women who get it have normal Paps," said Nita Karnik Lee, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago Medicine. That's why it's important to know the risk factors. According to the Mayo Clinic, these include taking estrogen-only hormones, starting your period before age 12 or beginning menopause late, never having been pregnant, being obese, being menopause age or post-menopausal, and taking the breast cancer medication tamoxifen.
Meet the expert: Nita Karnik Lee, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago Medicine.
But the most important thing you can do, really, is to know the warning signs. Unlike cervical cancer, endometrial cancer often presents with symptoms at an early stage, per the Mayo Clinic, resulting in early detection and treatment. Here are some worth bringing to your doc's attention:
1. Unusual vaginal bleeding
This is the most common sign that cancer is on board in your uterus, said Dr. Lee. In fact, abnormal bleeding happens in 90% of endometrial cancer cases, according to the National Cancer Institute. If you're postmenopausal and all of a sudden you find yourself needing panty protection again, that's not normal. "Women after menopause should not have further bleeding or even spotting," said Dr. Lee. Check in with your doctor if you are.
In younger women, heavier than normal periods, periods that last longer than you're used to, or bleeding between periods could all be red flags, per the American Cancer Society.
2. Abnormal discharge
It's normal to have some discharge from your vagina, but if the amount or color seems different than usual—or if you start spotting between periods and you never used to—it can't hurt to get checked out. If you've recently gone through menopause, you should also know that discharge isn't common after your periods stop for good, according to the American Cancer Society, so if you're still seeing some let your doctor know.
3. Constant pelvic pain
Not everyone with endometrial cancer will have pain, but it can show up for some, especially if your cancer has been around for a while. "If the uterus has become enlarged due to the cancer, you may experience pain or cramping," said Dr. Lee. You may also find that it hurts to have sex or go to the bathroom, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. But the hallmark is constant pelvic discomfort, which warrants a visit to your doctor.
4. Changes in your bathroom habits
Does pressure in your pelvis have you heading for the ladies' room more often? Your bladder and bowels can be a good indicator of uterine problems, and that includes cancer. According to MyEndometrialCancerTeam, late stage endometrial cancer (once the cancer has grown and spread enough to affect the bladder and bowels) might make you need to go more often, have trouble getting urine out, or cause pain when you do go. You might also experience constipation, diarrhea, or trouble holding it in when you have to poop.
5. Unexplained weight loss
If you're experiencing this symptom, it may mean your body's been dealing with a problem for a long time. "Weight loss is rare unless it's more advanced cancer," said Dr. Lee. That said, research in JAMA found that unintentional weight loss was associated with a much higher risk of a cancer diagnosis in the coming year. If the numbers are plummeting every time you step on a scale, especially if you have other gynecological symptoms, see your doctor ASAP.
This story was originally published in 2017 and has since been lining of your uterus, your endometrium, is like a garden bed where a pregnancy can be planted. But other things sometimes grow there, too—including cancerous cells. Endometrial cancer affects more than 635,000 women in the US, but there's no standard screening test designed to catch it.
"Pap tests don't check for or find endometrial cancer, and most women who get it have normal Paps," says Nita Karnik Lee, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago Medicine. In order to detect the disease, your doctor would have to order a transvaginal ultrasound or CT scan (along with a biopsy)—which of course isn't standard or advisable unless there's a strong reason to suspect you might have cancer.
To protect yourself, start by knowing your risk factors: You can get endometrial cancer anytime, but it's most common between ages 45-74. Being overweight, having diabetes, and taking estrogen-only hormones ups your risk. So does going through menopause later than normal or having gotten your first period at an extra young age. (Looking to take back control of your health? Prevention has smart answers—get a FREE book when you subscribe today.)
But the most important thing you can do, really, is to know the warning signs. (If you catch endometrial cancer early, it's highly curable.) Here are some worth bringing to your doc's attention:
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