Councilor Hui Ka-pai died of the "worst women's cancer"! How to prevent endometrial cancer? Doctors reveal 10 high-risk groups
Taipei City Councilor Xu Jiabei was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in May and unfortunately passed away in the early morning of today (18th) at the age of 48. It only took 4 months between diagnosis and death. Experts say that in the past 5-10 years, endometrial cancer has become the first major malignant gynecological cancer, and its incidence rate has increased year by year, even surpassing cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. It has become the gynecological cancer with the largest number of new cases, causing approximately 260-280 cases every year. women died.
What is endometrial cancer? Which women may be at high risk?
The endometrium is the inner layer of the uterine cavity, and it is also the place where the fertilized egg and embryo implant during pregnancy. Endometrial cancer occurs when the endometrium thickens abnormally, develops cancer cells, and develops tumors and hard lumps. Dr. Hong Yaoqin, deputy director of the Women’s Medical Center of Ajou University Hospital, once pointed out in an interview that endometrial cancer is limited to the uterine cavity in the early stage. As the tumor progresses, it may invade the muscle layer, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes and surrounding lymph glands. Spread beyond the uterus and even metastasize to distant sites.
Endometrial cancer is most common in women over 60 years old, and risk factors include obesity, diabetes, hypertension, polycystic ovaries, etc. Excessive hormonal stimulation of pure estrogen (without progesterone) can also increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Women with irregular menstruation, early menstruation, late menopause (over the age of 52), and those who have never had children are more likely to develop endometrial cancer.
In addition, taking Tamoxifen for breast cancer may increase the risk of endometrial cancer by 2-9 times; those with a family history of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, etc. should pay attention own genetic risks. Dr. Cheng Chengjie, executive director of Taipei Xiu Chuan Hospital, also said that eating sweets or high-calorie foods is one of the key causes of obesity and diabetes in women. If you have never had children in the past, you need to pay more attention to the related risks.
Is “abnormal bleeding” a big warning sign? Common symptoms of endometrial cancer
What are the obvious symptoms of endometrial cancer? Dr. Hong Yaoqin pointed out that one of the common symptoms of endometrial cancer before menopause is “abnormal bleeding”, including irregular menstruation, excessive bleeding, and prolonged menstruation. If bleeding recurs more than one year after menopause, you should pay close attention to endometrial lesions, such as the growth of fibroids, polyps, or severe inflammation in the endometrium. Endometrial cancer also accounts for a large proportion of postmenopausal bleeding. Be sure to Consult a gynecologist promptly for ultrasound and internal examination or endometrial biopsy sampling.
Dr. Hong Yaoqin also recommends that women should undergo Pap smear examination every 1-3 years, and the gynecologist can evaluate whether to undergo ultrasound examination of the endometrium at the same time. In addition, women are reminded to develop the habit of recording their menstrual cycles to understand whether they often have menstrual periods lasting more than 8 days, menstrual blood volume exceeding 80cc, whether menstrual periods are irregular or take too long, and if they have related symptoms, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid delayed diagnosis.
How is endometrial cancer treated? Is there any chance of not having a hysterectomy?
Dr. Hong Yaoqin explained that there are different treatment methods for endometrial cancer, but surgery is still the first choice. The scope of resection includes simple hysterectomy (including cervix), both ovaries and fallopian tubes. Patients with deeper invasion and larger tumor size require (extensive) hysterectomy and removal of pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes. When cancer cells invade deeply and spread outside the uterus, hysterectomy must be followed by electrotherapy or chemotherapy to reduce the recurrence rate.
If the endometrial cancer is in the early stage, the first stage, and the cancer cells are well differentiated and have not invaded the muscle layer (or are very superficial), taking into account the preservation of fertility, hysteroscopic surgery can be used to remove the cancer cells, combined with With large amounts of progesterone treatment, there is a chance of preserving the uterus after 3-6 months of evaluation. However, progesterone treatment must be continued for more than 1-2 years after surgery.
Dr. Zheng Chengjie emphasized that as long as it is detected and treated early, the prognosis of endometrial cancer is relatively good; the 5-year survival rate in the early stage is about 90%, and the survival rate in the late stage is nearly 20-30%. Treatment depends on the stage. The first stage is mainly surgical treatment; the second stage requires additional radiotherapy; the third and fourth stages require additional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. “The earlier endometrial cancer is detected, the better the prognosis is usually. If you have symptoms, you should seek help from an obstetrician and gynecologist as soon as possible!”
In addition, Dr. Hong Yaoqin said that in recent years, for advanced endometrial cancer, genetic screening can be carried out to confirm whether corresponding target drugs (such as Lenvatinib) are available, and combined with Anti PD-L1 immunotherapy drugs, it can improve the 5-year survival rate and Prolong disease-free survival.
The recurrence rate of endometrial cancer is as high as 50%? 2 tips from doctors to reduce risks
The recurrence rate of endometrial cancer in stages 1-2 is about 5%-20%; for endometrial cancer in stages 3-4, the recurrence rate will increase to 30%-50%. Dr. Hong Yaoqin said that early detection not only lowers the recurrence rate, but also eliminates the need for electrotherapy and chemotherapy, helping to improve the prognosis.
The correct way to reduce recurrence after treatment can be divided into two levels: The first is “self-health adjustment”. It is recommended to go to bed early and get up early, maintain a normal work and rest, maintain adequate immunity, absorb enough vitamins and other nutrients, and do not take hormonal drugs indiscriminately. Proper exercise and walking every day can also help reduce recurrence; if you have problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc., you should adjust and improve them as soon as possible.
The second is “regular follow-up visits”. After surgery, you will receive internal pelvic examination, smears, and ultrasound examinations every 3 to 6 months to track whether there are abnormal increases in CEA and CA125 tumor indicators, and monitor liver and kidney function and other values. Also pay attention to whether there are recurrence symptoms in the body, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, pain, shortness of breath or vaginal bleeding, which may be signs of recurrence or metastasis of endometrial cancer.
Is endometrial cancer the leading cause of gynecological cancer? What methods can help with prevention or early detection?
In the past 5-10 years, endometrial cancer has become the first major malignant cancer in women, with a standard incidence rate of 15-16 per 100,000 people. Dr. Hong Yaoqin explained that endometrial cancer is most common around the age of 60, and there are still many young cases diagnosed in their 30s. This type of patient often presents with heavy menstruation, irregular menstruation or prolonged menstruation as the main symptoms. After examination, it is discovered that it is endometrial cancer. Young women should not take it lightly.
Reducing risk factors is very important to prevent endometrial cancer. Obesity, hypertension, and diabetes should receive appropriate treatment. Dr. Zheng Chengjie reminded that obesity will increase subcutaneous adipose tissue, causing hormonal secretion disorders, and more likely to increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Women should try to maintain a BMI between 18.5 and 24, and no more than 27 at most. Once you have morbid obesity, it is best to seek outside help to lose weight.
When taking hormones, you should be careful not to supplement estrogen alone. You can use drugs combined with progesterone. Taking mixed oral contraceptives may reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Diets high in calories and fat should be avoided. Women who have not yet given birth should pay attention to the fact that the ovaries are not properly rested and overworked, which may lead to an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
In addition, if women have no need for fertility for the time being, they may consider using birth control pills regularly. Dr. Zheng Chengjie explained that contraceptive pills include estrogen, progesterone and other ingredients, which can help restore regular menstruation. Birth control pills for polycystic ovary syndrome can also improve appearance problems such as acne. Especially for women whose menstruation only occurs once every 2 or 3 months, it is strongly recommended to use birth control pills regularly. In addition to regulating menstruation, it can also reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.
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