Health
Silent Threat: The Alarming Rise of This Cancer in Women Over 50
Recent studies have highlighted a concerning rise in certain cancers, including breast, colorectal, and kidney cancers in the United States. Of particular concern is the increasing incidence of cervical cancer among women over 65, who are also facing a heightened risk of developing uterine cancer.
Uterine cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent cancer among women, per the American Cancer Society. Alarmingly, not only are more women being diagnosed, but the mortality rate is also climbing. This trend is particularly pronounced in specific demographics.
Endometrial cancer, which constitutes approximately 95 percent of all uterine cancer cases, is more common than its counterpart, uterine sarcoma. This type of cancer originates from a mutation in the cells lining the inner uterus, leading to uncontrolled cell growth.
In contrast, uterine sarcoma arises from mutated cells in the uterus’s muscle wall and is notably rarer. Despite their different origins, both types share common risk factors, including hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), estrogen replacement therapy, and early menstruation. Additional risk factors include obesity, a high-fat diet, age over 50, and diabetes.
Symptoms of uterine cancer can include lower abdominal pain, pelvic cramping, and prolonged or heavy vaginal bleeding, particularly in women over 40. According to the National Cancer Institute, uterine cancer is most frequently diagnosed in women aged 55 to 64, accounting for 3.4 percent of all new cancer cases in the U.S.
Since 2013, the age-adjusted incidence rate of uterine cancer has been rising by 0.7 percent annually. By 2025, it is expected that 69,120 women will receive a uterine cancer diagnosis.
A recent study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention forecasts a “substantial rise” in uterine cancer cases and related deaths through 2050. However, the study emphasizes that Black women are at a disproportionately higher risk.
“Our model predicts that current trends in uterine cancer incidence and mortality will continue for the foreseeable future,” stated Jason D. Wright, the lead study author and Sol Goldman Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
“From 2018 to 2050, we expect uterine cancer cases to rise by over 50 percent in Black women versus about 29 percent in white women.”
The study used a natural history model to project future uterine cancer rates, factoring in age, cancer type, and race. The model simulated Black and white patients, considering precursor lesions and separately modeling endometrioid and nonendometrioid tumors.
By 2050, uterine cancer incidence is expected to rise significantly:
– For white women: from 57.7 to 74.2 cases per 100,000
– For Black women: from 56.8 to 86.9 cases per 100,000
Mortality rates are also projected to increase:
– For white women: from 6.1 to 11.2 per 100,000
– For Black women: from 14.1 to 27.9 per 100,000
“White women will experience only a slight increase in nonendometrioid tumors, whereas the incidence of these tumors will increase substantially in Black women,” the study authors noted.
“Black women often face delays in diagnosis and are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages, when the cancer is more difficult to treat,” Wright explained. “Black women are also more likely to have aggressive types of uterine cancer.”
To diagnose uterine cancer, a doctor may perform a pelvic exam, followed by a blood test, CT or MRI scan, or transvaginal ultrasound. It’s important to note that a pap smear screens for cervical cancer, not uterine cancer.
Treatment often involves a hysterectomy to remove the mutated cells. Depending on menopausal status, the ovaries may also be removed. Currently, there is no dedicated screening tool for uterine cancer, meaning many cases go undetected until symptoms become severe.
“Our simulation showed that screening with an effective test starting at age 55 would result in a significant reduction in uterine cancer cases, reinforcing the need to develop new screening and prevention methods,” Wright emphasized. High-risk individuals are encouraged to consult with their healthcare providers about regular preventative screenings.
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