Hereditary Endometrial Cancer
Frequently Asked Questions about Hereditary
Below are some of the questions people ask about hereditary , genetics, screening, prevention and treatment. You can read more detailed information about risk, risk-management and treatment options below.
What is ?
is the most common type of uterine (womb) cancer. The endometrium is another name for the lining of the uterus.
How common is ?
The average risk for is about 3%. This means that 1 out of 33 women will develop at some point in their lifetime. Some women have a higher-than-average risk for due to certain risk factors.
Who is at risk for ?
Women (people assigned femal at birth) are at risk for . The risk for each person varies based on multiple factors, including:
- age
- presence of an
- personal and family history of cancer
- other risk factors, such as hormone exposure and obesity
Is genetic?
All endometrial cancers are caused by damage to genes in the cells of the uterus. Most of this damage happens during the course of a person's lifetime. When genes are damaged over the course of a person's lifetime, the gene changes are called .
Some endometrial cancers are hereditary. These are caused by inherited mutations that are present at birth and increase the risk for . Unlike , inherited mutations can be passed on from parents to their children.
Are most endometrial cancers hereditary?
Most endometrial cancers are not hereditary. About 5-15% of people with have an linked to cancer risk. Genetic counseling and testing can help people learn if they are at high risk for .
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Genes Linked to Risk
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*More research is needed to confirm this link. **Uterine serous carcinoma is a rare type of that has been linked to mutations. Because this cancer type is rare even in mutation carriers, the overall risk for with is not considered high. Researchers continue to study the link between inherited mutations and risk. |
What else affects risk?
Diet, weight, exercise, hormone exposure, and medications like tamoxifen can affect endometrial cancer risk in the general population and in people at high risk for cancer. Researchers are studying how much these factors influence risk in people with inherited mutations.
What can people do to manage their risk?
There are three main medical approaches to managing an increased risk:
- increased screening
- medications to lower risk
- risk-reducing surgery
Each of these options comes with benefits, costs and risks. Expert guidelines for risk management are based on your level of risk.
How are hereditary endometrial cancers different?
Hereditary endometrial cancers are more likely to occur at a young age. They are also more likely to test positive for the biomarkers or (also known as ). Endometrial cancers with these biomarkers are more common in people with . You can learn more about treatment options for and endometrial cancers here.
Screening
Screening for endometrial cancer uses tests to try to catch cancer in its early stages. High-risk people should discuss the benefits and limitations of endometrial screening with their doctor.
Prevention
People with a high risk for endometrial cancer may choose to take medications or undergo surgery to lower their risk. Vaccines are being tested as part of clinical research studies.
Treatment
People diagnosed with endometrial cancer may have different treatment options based on their stage, type, and results of genetic and biomarker testing.
Genetic Testing
National guidelines outline who should consider genetic counseling and testing for an inherited mutation linked to cancer.