Public health campaigns focusing on specific diseases are important tools for raising public understanding and promoting early detection. These efforts aim to bring visibility to cancers that might not receive widespread attention. By creating a designated period of awareness, organizations unify advocates, researchers, and the public to educate individuals about specific health risks. Such campaigns are helpful for conditions where early identification significantly improves treatment outcomes. This attention helps ensure people are informed about the signs that require immediate medical consultation.
Identifying the Awareness Period
Uterine Cancer Awareness Month is recognized globally in June, a designation established by the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) in 2023. This dedicated period serves as an annual effort to increase understanding of the most common gynecologic cancer in many high-resource countries. The campaign focuses on disseminating information about the risk factors and physical signs of the disease to the general public. During June, medical organizations, patient advocacy groups, and health departments work together to promote fundraising for research and advocate for equitable access to treatment and care.
Understanding Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer is a disease where malignant cells form in the tissues of the uterus, the pear-shaped organ where a fetus develops. This cancer is broadly categorized into two main types based on where the cells originate within the organ. The most common form, accounting for approximately 90% of all diagnoses, is Endometrial Carcinoma, which develops from the cells lining the uterus, known as the endometrium.
The second, rarer type is Uterine Sarcoma, which forms in the muscle layer (myometrium) or the supportive connective tissues of the uterus. Endometrial carcinoma is often found early because of the symptoms it causes, and it is frequently curable with treatment. Uterine sarcoma, however, is often more aggressive and more difficult to treat effectively.
Critical Signs Requiring Attention
The most prominent warning sign of uterine cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding, which should prompt immediate consultation with a healthcare provider. For individuals who have gone through menopause, any instance of vaginal bleeding or spotting must be investigated, as this is the primary symptom of endometrial cancer. Among those who have not yet reached menopause, abnormal bleeding can manifest as unusually heavy or prolonged menstrual periods.
Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual cycles, known as intermenstrual bleeding, warrants medical evaluation. This irregular bleeding can be the first indication of cellular changes within the uterine lining. A persistent, watery, or blood-tinged discharge not related to menstruation is another common symptom.
Beyond bleeding, individuals may experience pain or pressure in the pelvic area, particularly in the lower abdomen. This sensation can be a sign that a tumor has grown large enough to press on surrounding organs or tissues. Some people also report pain during sexual intercourse or difficulty and pain when urinating. Any new or persistent combination of these symptoms, especially abnormal bleeding, requires a prompt medical visit. This is necessary regardless of the person’s age or perceived risk level.
Risk Factors and Screening
Several factors can influence an individual’s susceptibility to developing uterine cancer, falling into both modifiable and non-modifiable categories. One significant modifiable risk factor is obesity, as fat tissue converts hormones into estrogen. High, prolonged estrogen exposure without a balancing hormone like progesterone stimulates endometrial cell growth. Conditions related to metabolic health, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, are also associated with an increased risk.
Non-modifiable factors include increasing age, with the majority of cases diagnosed in people over 50, and a history of certain genetic syndromes. Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of several cancers, is a notable genetic risk factor. Other factors that increase lifetime exposure to estrogen, such as starting menstruation at a very young age or experiencing menopause late in life, also elevate risk. Using estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy without progesterone or taking the breast cancer drug tamoxifen can also be contributing factors.
Unlike cervical cancer, for which the Pap test provides routine screening, there is currently no widespread, effective screening test for uterine cancer recommended for the general population. For individuals identified as being at high risk, such as those with Lynch syndrome, annual screening with an endometrial biopsy may be recommended starting around age 35. For the average person, early detection relies almost entirely on recognizing the warning signs, particularly abnormal bleeding, and seeking medical attention immediately.