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Endometrial cancer risk management

Every woman is at risk for endometrial cancer and the risk increases with age. A woman in the general population has about a 3 percent lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer. This means that 1 out of every 33 women will get endometrial cancer in her lifetime.


Endometrial cancer screening and risk reduction

There are different options for managing endometrial cancer risk, including:

Which option you choose for managing your endometrial cancer risk will depend on several factors, including:

  • your age
  • the presence of an inherited gene mutation
  • your personal and family history of cancer
  • other risk factors
  • personal preferences

There are different national expert guidelines for endometrial cancer risk management, which are based on your level of risk. Speak with your healthcare provider to decide on a risk management plan and schedule that is right for you. 


Genes linked to endometrial cancer risk 

Inherited mutations in the following genes have been linked to an increased risk for endometrial cancer, (click on the gene to learn more about the endometrial cancer risk associated for each):

The most common inherited gene mutations associated with hereditary endometrial cancer are:

A rare type of endometrial cancer, uterine serous carcinoma, has also been linked to  mutations. However, this remains under study.


Other factors linked to endometrial cancer risk

Factors such as diet, weight, exercise, hormone exposure, and certain medications like tamoxifen can affect endometrial cancer risk in the general population and in people at high risk for cancer. More research is needed to understand how much these factors influence risk in people with inherited mutations.

Last updated May 23, 2020

Find Experts
Find Experts

The following resources can help you locate an expert near you.

Finding gynecologists with expertise in cancer risk and treatment

Related experts

Some symptoms and conditions related to female reproduction may be managed by other experts. 

Fertility experts

  • The Oncofertility Consortium maintains a national database of healthcare providers with expertise in fertility preservation and treatment of people who are diagnosed with cancer or have a high risk for cancer due to an .  
  • Livestrong has a listing of 450 sites that offer fertility preservation options for people diagnosed with cancer.
    Financial assistance may be available to make the cost of fertility preservation affordable for more patients. Patients are referred to those programs as needed.

Menopause experts

Sexual health experts

Other ways to find experts

  • The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers deliver cutting-edge cancer care to patients in communities across the United States. Most centers have specialized screening and prevention centers for high-risk people. Find a center near you and learn about its specific research capabilities, programs, and initiatives.
  • Register for the FORCE Message Boards to get referrals from other members. Once you register, you can post on the Find a Specialist board to connect with other people who share your situation.

updated: 04/09/2023