September: Endometrial Cancer Awareness Month Tidbit #1

I could swear that every month has several different types of awareness.  Before I investigated further, I knew of Endometrial Cancer, Lymphoma, and Deaf for the month of September.  I decided to Google to see what other areas of awareness exist for this month.  Pain, Children’s Eye Health and Safety, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery, Children’s Cancer , Guide Dog, Life Insurance, Honey, and many more. 

Those awareness months are notable.  Awareness needs to be spread year-round.  I have met women who tell me that they learn a lot from my blog and from talking with me.  I will continue to want to educate others.  It should not happen just in one month.  But… in honor of this month, I will be posting some tidbits about endometrial cancer this month.

Endometrial cancer is developed after endometrial hyperplasia develops in the lining of the uterus.  Endometrial hyperplasia basically means the lining of the uterus has become too thick.  Endometrial hyperplasia does not always lead to cancer.  Endometrial hyperplasia develops when there is excess estrogen.  There are four types of endometrial hyperplasia: simple, simple with atypia, complex, and complex with atypia.  I had complex with atypia.  I asked Dr. Jewell to explain complex atypical hyperplasia in layman’s terms.  She said it’s when the lining in the uterus becomes too thick and messy.  I suppose it was what caused uterine polyps to emerge.  Progesterone can be used to treat simple and complex hyperplasia without atypicality… in the form of a pill, shot, intrauterine device, or vaginal cream.  That was why I had hormone therapy at the beginning, which did not work quite well for me for numerous reasons.  Hysterectomy is the best way to treat complex atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer. 

According to the American Cancer Society’s website, if the hyperplasia is atypical, there’s an increased risk of it developing into cancer.  Hyperplasia can be treated if detected early.  If not treated, 8% of simple atypical hyperplasia and 29% of complex atypical hyperplasia turn into cancer.  It is clear I had complex atypical hyperplasia for a few years before it became cancer.  It is challenging to detect.  However, one warning sign was that my period was heavier than normal.  My doctors thought it was normal part of becoming older.  My advice to women out there… if your period becomes heavier than normal, go find out why!  If a gynecologist tells you to suck it up and that it’s normal, seek another opinion.  You need to insist on getting a transvaginal / pelvic ultrasound.