Endometrial Cancer & Other Uterine Cancers

The Endometriosis Association cites a study that found that "... 79% of a group of monkeys developed endometriosis after exposure to dioxin in their food during a research study over ten years earlier. The severity of endometriosis found in the monkeys was directly related to the amount ... to which they had been exposed. Monkeys that were fed dioxin in amounts as small as five parts per trillion developed endometriosis. In addition, the dioxin-exposed monkeys showed immune abnormalities similar to those observed in women with endometriosis."

According to the American Cancer Society, most cases of uterine sarcoma cannot be prevented.

Although pelvic radiation increases the risk of developing a uterine sarcoma, the benefit of pelvic rad

According to the American Cancer Society, scientists have not found the cause of uterine sarcoma, but have identified several risk factors. Note that having a risk factor, or even several, does not mean that a person will get the disease.

According to the Mayo Clinic, although you cannot prevent most cases of endometrial cancer, certain factors can lower the risk of developing this disease. These include:

• Taking hormone therapy (HT) with progestin

Editor's Note:

"Race" is sometimes mentioned as a risk factor in the development of certain cancers and a number of other diseases. When you read this in a discussion about an illness, note that the explanation seldom refers to anything biological. Instead, it usually refers to behavior, such as eating habits. The kinds of behavior usually mentioned as risk factors are culturally determined. They are not genetic or biological.

Scientists do not know why cancerous cells develop in the lining of the uterus, but it seems to be related to estrogen levels. Therefore, the risk factors associated with endometrial cancer are largely related to increased levels of estrogen, and include:

Routine Pap tests are the most effective way to detect cervical cancer in the earliest stages.

HPV can spread through skin-to-skin contact with any infected part of the body — but using a condom every time you have sex can significantly reduce your risk of contracting HPV, according to a 2006 study.

The cause of cervical cancer is unknown.

Infection with two types of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually, is strongly associated with cervical and vulvar cancer and is the primary risk factor. Evidence of HPV is found in nearly 80% of cervical carcinomas.

The USDA's top 10 antioxidant list includes:

• small red beans
• wild blueberries
• red kidney beans
• pinto beans
• blueberries
• cranberries

The US FDA is issued the following statement on May 8, 2006, in response to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) press release on its review of the long-term carcinogenicity study of aspartame conducted by the European Ramazzini Foundation (ERF).