Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus in women. It is commonly referred to as uterine cancer, but other types of cancer do develop in the uterus, though much less often.

Endometrial cancer is most often diagnosed in women who went through menopause but can be diagnosed in younger women too. It is most often found in the early stages, when the disease is most treatable. Causes and Risk Factors of Endometrial CancerWhile we cannot yet pinpoint exactly what causes endometrial cancer, studies do suggest that levels of estrogen may be associated with cancer development. Another possible cause that is being investigated is genetic mutations of certain genes. Researchers, however, have identified several endometrial cancer risk factors. They include:

• never being pregnant
  
• beginning menstruation before age 12 and continuing through age 50 or more
  
• being diabetic
  
• obesity
  
• use of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)
  
• personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer
  
• use of Tamoxifen, a breast cancer adjuvant therapy