Understanding Endometrial Cancer Risk
- Lauren Manzo, the daughter of former “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Caroline Manzo, lost 30 pounds with the help of type 2 diabetes drug Mournjaro, which is similar to Ozempic, and in doing so, her risk of endometrial cancer has likely been reduced.
- Recent studies have found that a decrease in body mass index (BMI) has been linked to a decrease in endometrial cancer risk and weight loss medications, such as semaglutide injections Ozempic or Wegovy, have been linked to a lower risk of 13 obesity-related cancers.
- There are certain risk factors associated with endometrial cancer, like family history and genetic abnormalities, that you can’t change. However, you have control over many other risk factors such as maintaining a healthy healthy weight, exercise, and diet.
- Many of the health factors that increase the risk of endometrial cancer lead to an excess of the female hormone estrogen that stimulate cell growth in the uterus. If you are considered high-risk, regular monitoring and paying attention to symptoms such as abnormal bleeding can help you stay healthy and catch problems early.
Manzo, who also appeared on the reality TV show “Manzo’d with Children,” often takes to social media to reveal she’s been looking and feeling her best since dropping weight, a change which may reduce her risk of endometrial cancer, as recent studies have found that a decrease in body mass index (BMI) has been linked to a decrease in endometrial cancer risk and weight loss medications, such as semaglutide injections Ozempic or Wegovy, have been linked to a lower risk of 13 obesity-related cancers.
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A recent report by MedPage Today pointed out that obesity has been known to raise a women’s risk of endometrial cancer since the 1960s and has been consistent with being a major risk factor of the disease.
Of course, eating heathy and getting enough exercise has been linked to better quality of life and a reduction in various health risks, it seems these new weight loss drugs are offering the public similar benefits.
As per MedPage today, a meta-analysis from 2010 concluded that “every 5 kg/m2 increase in body mass index (BMI) was associated with a 60% greater risk of endometrial cancer,” while a meta-analysis from 2015 found that women with obesity “have a 2.54-fold higher relative risk than normal-weight women.”
Since obesity is a controllable risk factor, it’s understandable that weight loss drugs may have a positive influence on cancer reduction.
Leslie R. Boyd, MD, director of the division of gynecologic oncology at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, told MedPage, “We know that bariatric surgery can be an effective complementary tool for patients with endometrial cancer. … Now that we have all the GLP-1 receptor agonists, it’ll be interesting to see how that changes.”
Studies have also linked excess exposure to estrogen to a heighten cancer risk. For example, studies in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project “showed that postmenopausal women taking estrogen plus progestin had a 2.6-fold increased risk of endometrial cancer, with a higher risk with sequential dosing,” MedPage says.
Immaculata De Vivo, PhD, a researcher from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, also said, “That was a very good clue into the risk factors associated with endometrial cancer.”
Additionally, new findings presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, a major annual conference where professionals share their latest research in cancer, found that patients taking weight loss medication, such as semaglutide injections Ozempic or Wegovy, were 19% less likely to develop 13 obesity-related cancers.
Lauren Manzo’s Weight Loss On Mounjaro
Speaking on a recent interview on Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea podcast Lauren Manzo opened up about using Mounjaro to get rid of an additional 30 pounds.
Manzo explained, “Since February I’ve lost 30 lbs from Mounjaro. And I get it … people don’t like it, people don’t applaud it, people aren’t whatever, but it’s a shot in your stomach once a week, it’s the same as Ozempic … You guys have seen the struggle with this since I’m 20 years old, and it’s been really hard for me.
“I understand that people that are prediabetic or that are diabetic do need this, but I also do believe that [the Ozempic trend has] helped people. I mean, I’m not gonna lie, I feel like there have been times that I’ve been on the brink of an eating disorder or had issues myself. And this is the one thing, even above weight loss surgery, that has helped me a lot and cured me and mentally made me so much better. And I’m really grateful for it.”
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According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), fat tissue “produces excess amounts of estrogen,” which is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. The NCI says a person who is severely obese is “7 times” more likely to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
RELATED: What You Need to Know About Obesity
Obesity is associated with high levels of insulin, which can lead to colon, kidney, prostate, and endometrial cancer. It can affect cancer survivors in various ways, including the chance of cancer recurrence and overall quality of life.
To learn more about your ideal healthy weight, determine your body mass index (BMI).
Body weight that exceeds what the body mass index deems appropriate for your weight and height can help determine body fat content. Although your BMI can help you learn if you are at a healthy weight, underweight, overweight, or obese, other factors may contribute to your overall health.
“GLP-1 based therapies are highly effective at producing weight loss, and thus one of the fundamental mechanisms by which they improve cancer outcomes is via the impressive weight loss that they produce,” Dr. Mitchell Lazar, a director at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, said, according to a recent report by The Guardian.
“Obesity is a risk factor for nearly all cancers, in both men and women. Thus the revolution in the medical treatment of obesity has enormous potential to prevent new cancers, reduce the severity and growth rate of existing tumors, and synergise with new cancer-specific therapies.”
Expert Resources On Healthy Living
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- SurvivorNetTV Presents ‘How Not To Get Cancer: Diet’ — The Power of Prevention & Healthy Habits
- New Hard Evidence That Exercise Measurably Reduces Anxiety– 150 Minutes Per Week Makes The Difference
- Zero Booze is Best For Cancer Prevention & Five Hours Per Week Of Exercise! New American Cancer Society Prevention Guidelines
Uncontrollable & Controllable Risk Factors
Risk factors women can’t control when it comes to endometrial cancer risk are genetics, family history, age, race and ethnicity, reproductive factors and whether a woman has a hormonal disorder known as Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
“The one patient that you might be able to screen for endometrial cancer with endometrial biopsies is a patient that has known Lynch syndrome,” Dr. Chase tells SurvivorNet. “So if you are known to have Lynch syndrome … you’ve been tested for it and you have Lynch syndrome … you could be eligible for this screening protocol, which I would discuss with your doctor.”
She adds that, while you can’t change your DNA, if you have genetic risks in your background, there are steps you can take to make sure you stay on top of your health, including:
- Scheduling regular checkins with your doctor
- Starting regular screenings at age 35 in the form of endometrial biopsies
- Seeking genetic counseling and testing to assess your risk and come up with a personal plan to manage it
Don’t Ignore Your Risk Factors — Catching Endometrial Cancer Early Can Make a Difference
Meanwhile, several endometrial cancer risk factors that are more in your control do exist, and making meaningful changes to them can lower your chances of getting endometrial cancer.
Obesity
“If your BMI is in the obese range, you could be at increased risk for endometrial cancer,” warns Dr. Chase.
Excess body fat can lead to increased estrogen production, which in turn may promote the growth of endometrial cells. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise and movement can help reduce endometrial cancer risk.
Compared to women at a healthy weight, women who are overweight have double the risk of endometrial cancer, and women who have obesity have three times the risk.
Even modest weight loss can have a beneficial effect on lowering risk.
Hormone Therapy
Estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) without progesterone is commonly used to manage menopausal symptoms but it has been associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Here again, it comes down to too much estrogen causing excess cell growth.
If your doctor tells you that hormone therapy is necessary, you should discuss a combined estrogen and progesterone therapy or other alternative treatments that can lower endometrial cancer risk. If you and your doctor determine that estrogen-only therapy is right for you, you and your doctor will put a plan in place to monitor for endometrial cancer.
Alcohol Consumption
Heavy alcohol consumption has been associated with a higher risk of endometrial cancer, potentially because it stimulates estrogen production.
Limiting alcohol intake to moderate levels (defined as up to one drink per day for women) or refraining from drinking alcohol altogether can help reduce endometrial cancer risk.
Dietary Factors
Diets high in red meat, processed meats, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates have been linked to an increased risk of endometrial cancer, while diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins may be protective.
Adopting a healthy eating pattern that emphasizes plant-based foods, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help lower endometrial cancer risk. Additionally, reducing intake of processed and sugary foods may further mitigate risk.
By addressing these modifiable risk factors through lifestyle changes and proactive health management, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing endometrial cancer and improve their overall health and well-being.
Prevention Strategies
Lifestyle and medical strategies do make a difference. To lower your chances of developing endometrial cancer, consider the following:
- Discuss hormone therapy with your healthcare team
- Consider using birth control pills
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Stay physically active
- Eat a healthy diet
- Manage other health conditions, like diabetes and PCOS
- Regular screening and monitoring
National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a coalition of more than 30 top cancer centers, recommends regular screening for women at high risk of endometrial cancer, such as those with a family history of the disease or certain genetic conditions. While they don’t recommend regular screening for most women who have no symptoms, high risk women should begin regular check ups in their twenties.
The Role of Diet and Exercise in Cancer Risk
Discussing individual risk factors with a healthcare provider can help determine the best screening strategy.
Dr. Chase underscores the importance of getting regular checkups and paying attention to any unusual symptoms.
“It’s really important if you have irregular bleeding to have a pelvic exam, because remember, this is the most common gynecologic cancer,” Dr. Chase says. “We’ve made a lot of progress but for many reasons, endometriaI cancer is on the rise.”
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you are concerned about your risk of endometrial cancer, discuss it with your health care provider team. You can consider asking them the following questions:
- What steps should I take to lower my chance of developing endometrial cancer?
- Am I considered high-risk?
- What are my options for cancer screening?
- Should I meet with a genetic counselor?
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
