Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. Approximately 2 to 3 women in 100 will have endometrial cancer during their lifetime.
Endometrial cancer is rare in women under 40 years. The incidence of this cancer is higher in women around age 60. Some women are more likely than others (see box). Certain risk factors may be related to estrogen use. Estrogen is a hormone produced in the ovaries of women. You can manage it after menopause when women’s ovaries stop producing estrogen (hormone therapy). If taken alone, estrogen increases the risk of endometrial cancer if the woman still has a uterus. When estrogen is given along with another hormone, progesterone, women are protected against this risk.
