A type 2 diabetes risk for endometrial cancer is backed by estimates which show that more women will be diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2023. Worse still a new study found that women with type 2 diabetes have a 1.5% higher risk of dying from endometrial cancer.
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What is endometrial cancer?
Endometrial cancer is the most common type of uterine cancer. It’s a cancerous tumor in your uterus or womb. Most cases happen in the lining of the uterus (endometrium), but you can get tumors in the muscles there, too. If you’re past menopause, your chances are higher.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for endometrial cancer include a woman’s family history, obesity, early menstruation, late menopause, never having been pregnant, previously having breast or ovarian cancer, and taking drugs like hormonal replacement therapy.
Symptoms
The symptoms of endometrial cancer include:
- Abnormal uterine bleeding: spotting or bleeding after menopause or between periods
As endometrial cancer becomes more advanced, symptoms can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Pelvic pain
- Bloating
- A full abdomen soon after eating
- Bowel changes
- Urinary changes
How It’s Diagnosed
A biopsy is the best way to know if it’s cancer. Your doctor will take a small amount of tissue from the endometrium and look for cancer cells under a microscope. So don’t delay your checkups or ignore symptoms because it’s best to find uterine cancer early before it grows or spreads further.
If The Cancer Has Spread
If you have uterine cancer, your doctor will start with one of the following to see if it has spread to nearby areas, like your cervix, or to your lymph nodes (tiny glands in your neck, armpits, groin, and other parts of your body):
- Ultrasound
- MRI scan, which uses magnets and radio waves to make detailed images of parts of your body
- CT scan, which takes X-rays from different angles and puts them together to make a more complete picture
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 symptoms can be very mild. Noticeable diabetes symptoms include:
- Having to urinate more often
- Extra thirst
- Feeling extra hungry
- Severe fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts or bruises that take a long time to heal
Preventing Endometrial Cancer When You Have Diabetes
A new Korean study stresses the importance of doctors carefully screening diabetes patients for endometrial cancer, as well as recommending effective prevention strategies.
This means you should go to your doctor for regular checkups. Discuss genetic testing if that is appropriate, mainly if you have a strong family history of endometrial cancer.
Besides, it’s never too early for you to start cutting your risk for endometrial cancer, especially if you have type 2 diabetes. The National Cancer Institute reports that endometrial hyperplasia, or an abnormal thickening of the uterus, can develop into endometrial cancer. Hence, it’s important to catch and treat it quickly.
Other preventative measures that may help:
- Breastfeed
- Take prescription birth control pills or use a hormonal contraceptive like an IUD
- Don’t smoke
Some medications may also help
If you are with type 2 diabetes, you can ask your doctor about drugs that ‘sensitize’ to insulin and these may be able to lower the level of sugar and insulin in your body.
There are also a lot of actions patients can take on their own. For instance, lifestyle changes may also improve the body’s use of sugar.
Likewise, moderate exercise helps lower blood sugar levels, and eating foods with a low glycemic index, that is less sugary food and less processed food, also helps.
Bottom Line
The major concern is whether you can prevent endometrial cancer. The good news is that the risk of endometrial cancer if you have type 2 diabetes, can be prevented if you make lifestyle changes. So, in order to avoid a Type 2 diabetes risk for endometrial cancer, some of the changes you need to make include getting regular women’s health checkups so your doctor can spot any signs of cancer early. Similarly, your age, genes, obesity, and family history may raise your risk of uterine cancer. Also, you can do other things to help prevent it such as maintaining a healthy weight and getting plenty of exercise.
These changes can help you feel better and live a long, healthy life. But most importantly, work closely with your doctor, who is able to help you manage risk factors that can be managed.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/10-screenings-all-women-should-have.aspx
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