Understanding Uterine Cancer: Symptoms, Treatments, and Insurance Support

Uterine cancer affects many women worldwide every year. Unfortunately, it is a quiet foe that may go unnoticed until it has progressed. As we examine the complexities of this illness, it becomes evident that knowledge is our most potent tool in the fight against uterine cancer.

We shed light on the types, symptoms, stages, causes, risks, treatments, and ways that insurance may help women with uterine cancer.

What is uterine cancer?

Uterine cancer (also known as endometrial cancer), starts in a woman’s uterus and eventually forms a tumour. The uterus is the pear-shaped, hollow pelvic organ where fetal development occurs. Uterine cancer frequently happens after menopause, and overweight women are more likely to get it.

A tumour can be both benign or cancerous. Although a benign tumour might grow, it usually won't spread to other body parts. However, when a tumour is malignant, it can spread to other parts of the body.

There are two distinct types of uterine cancers:

Endometrial cancer is a prevalent condition that is often curable. The cancer is frequently discovered early on due to its symptoms.
Uterine sarcoma

The National Library of Medicine^[1] states that endometrial carcinomas account for the majority of uterine cancer cases, while fewer than 10% of uterine sarcomas.

In addition to uterine cancer, gynaecological cancers of various kinds impact countless women worldwide. Thus, women must have all the information they need on these cancers.

How common is uterine cancer?

Uterine cancer is the most frequent gynaecological cancer in women globally, accounting for around 320,000 new cases and 76,000 deaths annually^[2]. In Malaysia, there is currently little information available on endometrial cancer.

Uterine fibroids vs cancer

Uterine fibroids are frequently benign tumours that affect many women of reproductive age and are the primary indication for uterine surgery. They do not increase the risk of uterine cancer as they are not malignant. In contrast to fibroids, uterine cancer is characterised by the unchecked proliferation of cancerous cells.

Fibroids can form inside the uterus, within the uterine muscle, or outside the uterus. It's possible for fibroids to have no symptoms at all. However, possible signs of fibroid symptoms include increased menstrual flow, frequent urination, constipation, pelvic pressure, an increase in waist size, infertility, and a pelvic mass.

Risk factors for uterine fibroids include age, family history, hormonal changes, and ethnicity.

It's important to differentiate between the two conditions since the symptoms of both conditions can overlap.

Uterine cancer symptoms

Uterine cancer can present with various symptoms, including:

Vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause.
Unusually heavy or irregular periods.
Prolonged periods.
Watery discharge, which may have a foul smell.
Unexplained weight loss.
Changes in bowel movements or trouble urinating.
Pelvic cramps or lower abdominal pain.
Pain during intercourse.
Blood in the urine.

It is essential to see an oncologist for a complete examination and diagnosis if you encounter any of these symptoms, particularly if they worsen or persist.

Uterine cancer stages

Uterine cancers are staged on a scale of I to IV.

Stage I: The cancer hasn’t spread to other body parts.
Stage II: The tumour has spread to the cervical stroma (supportive tissues around the cervix) but hasn't grown outside the uterus.
Stage III: The cancer has spread to the vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or lymph nodes. Only the pelvic region is affected.
Stage IV: The cancer has progressed to the rectum, bladder, or organs that are not close to the uterus, such as the lungs.

Uterine cancer risk factors

Although the precise cause of uterine cancer is not always clear, the following are risk factors that may be involved in its development:

Postmenopausal after age 55.
Endometrial hyperplasia.
Have never given birth.
Consume hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Have polycystic ovary syndrome.
Family history of ovarian, uterine, or bowel cancer.
Inherited rare genes such as Lynch syndrome.
Taken Tamoxifen to treat breast cancer.
Previous radiotherapy on the pelvis.

Age of 50 and older.
Type 2 diabetes.
On hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause.
The menstrual cycle begins before the age of 12.
Experienced difficulties becoming pregnant or had less than five cycles in a year before entering menopause.
Take Tamoxifen to prevent and treat breast cancer.
Prior radiation treatment to the pelvic area.
Family history of uterine, breast, colon, or ovarian cancer.
A genetic mutation such as Lynch syndrome or BRCA1 or BRCA2.

Uterine cancer diagnosis

Tests used for diagnosing uterine cancer include the following:

Medical history and physical exam.
Endometrial biopsy.
Dilation and curettage (D&C).
Transvaginal ultrasound.
Computed tomography (CT).
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Pelvic examination.
Pap test.

Does uterine cancer spread quickly?

Type 1 endometrial cancers are the most prevalent - they grow more slowly and do not spread rapidly. On the other hand, Type 2 endometrial tumours are more aggressive and spread rapidly.

Uterine cancer treatment

The following are some possible treatment choices, which vary depending on the type and stage of cancer, age, general health, and personal preferences:

Surgery: Doctors operate and surgically remove cancerous tissue.
Radiotherapy: High-energy radiation beams that resemble X-rays are aimed at the affected area to destroy the cancer cells.
Chemotherapy uses powerful medication to destroy cancerous cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapy drugs can affect healthy cells as well.
Hormone therapy blocks hormones that promote the spread of cancer.
Immunotherapy: Increases the body's immune system's ability to recognise and eliminate cancer cells.
Targeted therapy is one type of precision medicine that reduces the proliferation of cancer cells by specifically targeting cancerous cells.

Side effects of uterine cancer treatment

While the type of treatment will determine the kind of side effects experienced, the following are common among cancer patients:

Changes in bowel habits.
Loss of appetite.
Blood clots.
Hair loss.
Early menopause and menopausal symptoms
Infertility

Consult your doctor about potential side effects before any uterine cancer treatment, as well as strategies for managing these problems both during and after the treatment.

Uterine cancer prognosis

The prognosis for uterine cancer depends on various factors, including the cancer stage, type, grade, and response to treatment.

Uterine cancer survival rate

According to a study^[3], endometrial cancer patients had a poor overall survival rate. Non-endometrioid cases accounted for over half of 60.2% of all cases, with 64.7% of patients presenting with advanced stages III and IV.

As people age, the prevalence of endometrial cancer rises gradually. The risk of endometrial cancer-related mortality increases with the age at which the illness is discovered. With a mean diagnostic age of 68 years, endometrial cancer generally develops after menopause.

Nevertheless, it's crucial to remember that survival rates are only statistical approximations and might not be able to predict the outcome for any individual.

Can uterine cancer be cured?

Effective treatment is available for uterine cancer, particularly for cases detected early. Surgery, such as a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), is one of the primary forms of treatment. If the cancer has progressed outside the uterus, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy may be used in conjunction as a treatment plan.

Therefore, the best prognosis can only be attained by early diagnosis through regular screenings and symptom awareness.

Insurance solutions for uterine cancer

Obtaining health and critical illness insurance is important for several reasons - it provides support, medical care, preventive services, covers the costs of medical treatments, and more.

Prudential’s PRULady, is a critical illness insurance for women that provides coverage for gender-specific illnesses, fertility care, wellness care, recovery, pregnancy care, and baby care and provides cash rewards to celebrate siginificant life milestones.

If you are diagnosed with female carcinoma-in-situ, the payout will be 50% of the Basic Sum Assured. You will get 100% of the Basic Sum Assured if the condition worsens and it is confirmed that you have been diagnosed with uterine cancer after 6 months from the diagnosis date of carcinoma-in-situ.

As a result, you may concentrate on your recovery without worrying about your finances.

Besides this, many times, treatment for uterine and other gynaecological cancers may affect the reproductive organs and a woman’s ability to have children. In addition to covering illnesses such as cancer, PRULady covers infertility treatments that are associated with the eligible listed infertile conditions.

Can uterine cancer be prevented?

Although no one can predict who will develop uterine cancer, the following are cancer prevention steps that may help reduce the risk of developing it:

Taking birth control pills.
Using progestin-secreting intrauterine device (IUD).
Using both estrogen and progesterone for hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Maintaining a healthy weight and diet.
Being physically active.
Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly.
Having children before the age of 30.

Nonetheless, because there are no guaranteed preventative measures, health insurance such as PRULady will ensure you’re financially protected if something unfortunate happens.

Conclusion

Uterine cancer is a significant health concern, and identifying its symptoms is crucial for early detection. Early-stage cancers frequently respond well to surgery, while severe cases of uterine cancer may need a combination of surgery, radiation treatment, and chemotherapy.

In addition to uterine cancer, breast cancer is another major illness that affects women. It is crucial to comprehend the many types of breast cancer, their signs, stages, treatments, and recovery processes. This is because early detection of breast cancer raises the chances of treatment success.

Check out Prudential's wide range of insurance solutions and financial products that will protect you if something unfortunate occurs:

Insurance for Young Adults | Investment-linked Life Insurance | Medical Insurance | Critical Illness Insurance | Insurance for Mother & Child

Reference

^[1] Endometrial Cancer. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525981/

^[2] Endometrial Cancer in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27356704/

^[3] Median Survival Time of Endometrial Cancer Patients with Lymphovascular Invasion at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5181991/

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