Causes

Estrogen is the hormone that stimulates the growth of endometrial cells, especially in the glands. Research has shown that women who develop uterine cancer often have had more exposure to the natural estrogen produced by the ovaries.

These are women who began to menstruate before age 12 or who began menopause later than average. Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy may also increase the risk of uterine cancer. Other conditions of high estrogen exposure include chronic anovulation (condition in which women do not ovulate, such as women with polycystic ovary syndrome) and obesity.

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