What is metabolic syndrome?
It is a series of medical conditions that increase the risk of serious health problems.
This includes:
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
High cholesterol
obesity
Metabolic syndrome and endometrial cancer
Many women with endometrial cancer also have metabolic syndrome.
Scientists have found a link between three signs of metabolic syndrome – obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure – and endometrial cancer.
This is called “endometrial cancer triple syndrome.”
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People with obesity are three times more likely to develop uterine cancer
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People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop uterine cancer
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People with high blood pressure have a higher risk of developing uterine cancer
The link between obesity and endometrial cancer
Being overweight can increase the amount of estrogen in your body, which can promote the growth of uterine cancer.
The connection between blood sugar and uterine cancer
A high glucose environment, which occurs with diabetes, can promote endometrial cancer, causing cells to grow and become more invasive.
The connection between high blood pressure and uterine cancer
Researchers have found that high blood pressure increases the risk of uterine cancer, but they are still researching why.
The good news?
You can lower your risk of endometrial cancer even if you have metabolic syndrome.
Actions you can take:
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Exercise regularly
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Eat healthy
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Use hormonal contraceptives
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Breastfeeding
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Treat obesity and high blood pressure
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Take diabetes medications to lower blood sugar levels
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Arrange regular check-ups with your doctor
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Get genetic testing if you have a family history of endometrial cancer
This educational resource was created with support from Karyopharm Therapeutics and Merck.
