Uterine Cancer Support Group

Hi Dr Orrange! I just had a total hysterectomy on August third because of endometrial cancer.I was wondering if there is any test for this cancer? Some people say the CA125 is a test for it.

I am now obese. Doesn't cancer strike all people, thin and thick? As well as other diseases? I think I can understand about obesity being a "huge" problem, but thin people get sick too, or is it that the numbers are higher among obese people?

It is my understanding that fat cells produce additional estrogen and endometrial cancer is caused by an excess of estrogen in the body. Or it might be that the fat stores estrogen. Regardless, the fat/estrogen connection is definitely there for this type of cancer. Also why HRT is not encouraged.

Chimmer, I thought CA125 was a test for ovarian cancer...

Lessa: Oh. I knew there had to be something about it.

I just went through a biopsy (still waiting for the results)am expecting a hysterectomy for sure, and yes, I am on the overweight side with diabetes and a heart condition. So this makes sense.

Hi Dr. Orange,

I didn't have ANY symptoms indicating I had endometrial cancer. Very normal periods.

It wasn't until I had D&C w/ hysteroscopy to remove a polyp found by my Reproductive Endocrinologist that the problem was found.

From my experience, "symptoms" are just way too subjective. It would be great of the medical community could find a better way to test for endometrial cancer. Of course, I am also fairly young to have had Endometrial Cancer.

Lessa,Yes I think it is but some nurses told me it can be used to alert the dr there is a problem when there is symptomatic bleeding since there isn`t a test for endometrial cancer.

Hi Everyone,
I'm 49, really positive maternal family history or reproductive cancers: uterine and cervical. I thought I was in menopause because I haven't had a period in 8 months. No spotting, nothing. Had blood drawn and NOT in menopause...not at all. Hence, had a pelvic sono today looking for repro cancers. No thickening of the endometrial lining but something on my ovary that looks like a hemorrhagic cyst, recheck in 6 weeks.
I'm thinking I need an endometrial biopsy. Does that sound legit or paranoid?
I mean, no period and full on hormones. 8 months. Almost 50 years old.
Right?
~Kim, NH

Hi Dr. Orrange,
Thank you for your information. I am approximately 50 pounds overweight, just tuned 50, and because of Fibromyalgia have not been active these last few years. I had an endro ablation surgery three years ago, and now I have been diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I will have a hysterectomy on March 2. I found out that I was not menopausal, which no one could tell because of the endro ablation. When I look back at the problems I had, I wish I would have had a hysterectomy right away instead of putting it off. In fact, I think it masked my cancer symptoms, and everyone blamed them on the Fibromyalgia.
What floors me is a simple 10 minute ultrasound found the cancer mass immediately. Why can't women have this done on a regular basis after 45? It seems like that should be the standard test rather than waiting until we get symptoms or going through biopsies and D and Cs.

I have to agree with tbhope, my doctor wasn't even suspicious until I had a pelvic ultrasound and found "an unusual amount of dead tissue". Follow-up testing found the cancer--thank God it was stage 1. Any woman b/t 30 and 40 should have a pelvic ultrasound as part of their annual gyn check up--especially if there is a family history of problems.