For decades, cervical and breast cancer have dominated conversations about women’s health. There is another gynecological cancer that is gaining increasing popularity: endometrial cancer. India is witnessing a gradual rise in endometrial cancer cases, driven by changing lifestyles, increasing obesity, metabolic disorders, and changing reproductive patterns. Endometrial cancer rates are on the rise in India, with about 17,240 new cases reported in 2022.
As an oncologist, I am concerned that although women are aware of the symptoms of other cancers such as breast and cervical cancer, very few of them understand the risks of endometrial cancer or recognize when seemingly routine changes require immediate medical care.
Why are we seeing more cases of endometrial cancer?
Endometrial cancer, which develops in the inner lining of the uterus, is among the most common types of gynecologic cancer worldwide. While age is still an important risk factor, prolonged exposure to estrogen, without adequate hormonal balance (especially when estrogen is left unopposed by progesterone), makes women more susceptible to this condition. Over time, this constant stimulation can cause the cells lining the uterus to grow abnormally, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer.
This helps explain why obesity appears to be one of the strongest risk factors for endometrial cancer. Adipose tissue is not just a storage site for excess weight; It actively converts other hormones into estrogen, creating a state of prolonged hormonal exposure. As obesity rates continue to rise across India, the number of women who may be at risk without knowing it is increasing.
Women who start menstruating early or reach menopause subsequently experience more years of exposure to estrogen during their lifetime. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility and certain metabolic disorders can also disrupt hormonal regulation and increase risk.
Symptoms that should never be ignored
Aside from risk factors, one of the most important facts about endometrial cancer is that it often provides an early warning sign: abnormal vaginal bleeding after menopause.
For postmenopausal women, even a small amount of spots, spots, or brown discharge should warrant medical evaluation. For women approaching menopause, warning signs may include more menstrual periods than usual, bleeding between periods, or menstrual changes that persist over time.
Not every episode of abnormal bleeding after menopause is cancer. However, each episode deserves attention because it may be the first indication that something requires further investigation.
Why early intervention changes everything
When detected early, endometrial cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer, with positive outcomes. However, as the disease progresses, treatment becomes significantly more complex.
Today, there is real progress in how we treat this cancer. With advances in diagnostics, we can better understand the biological characteristics of the tumor and design treatment accordingly. In selected cases, newer, more targeted treatments are being explored, providing additional options beyond traditional approaches.
But these advances are most effective when patients reach the right specialist early. The timing of intervention continues to shape not only survival, but also the intensity of treatment and quality of life. This becomes especially important during perimenopause and menopause, a stage in which symptoms can be easily overlooked, yet the underlying risk is higher.
Ready meals
Endometrial cancer rarely starts without warning. In most cases, it starts with a visual, recognizable, and actionable cue. If a woman is post-menopausal and notices any bleeding, she should seek medical advice immediately. Women in their late 40s or early 50s who notice that their menstrual patterns change noticeably should not ignore it. If symptoms persist, the woman should be sure to undergo further evaluation. It is important to recognize the symptoms. But ensuring timely referral and specialist care is what really changes outcomes.
(Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi, Senior Director, Medical Oncology, Fortis Gurgaon)
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