Pregnancy Helps Reduce the Risk of Uterine Cancer

Evaluating the results of the study conducted by the gynecological cancers group of the medical research institute located in Australia, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal said, “In the study where medical histories of 17 thousand uterine cancer patients were examined, the probability of developing intrauterine (endometrium) cancer in people who had a pregnancy before was found to be low with a percentage of 40%."

Studies have shown that every pregnancy that women have can help reduce the risk of developing endometrial (uterine) cancer. Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecological Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal, who evaluated the results of the study conducted in Australia, also drew attention to risky conditions in terms of uterine cancer.

"Pregnancy Has a Positive Effect on Protection From Cancer"

Underlining that uterine cancer (endometrium) is more common in women who have never given birth, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal said, “There are studies on this subject. The history of 17 thousand uterine cancer patients was examined and the incidence of uterine cancer in people who had a pregnancy here was found to be 40 percent lower. Even in pregnancies that ended in miscarriage, a decrease of 7-8 percent was observed. It seems that pregnancy itself has a positive effect on the low rate of cancer. There are publications showing that cervical cancer precursor lesions regress in the postpartum period as well during pregnancy.”

Beware of the Menstrual Irregularities!

Explaining that menstrual irregularity can also pose a risk for cancer, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal said, “Women have regular menstrual bleeding every month. If ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not secreted, estrogen alone will manage this event. However, with the increasing effect of estrogen, the intrauterine bed tissue, which we call the endometrium, multiplies and thickens, and at this stage, a prolonged absence of menstruation occurs. As a result, it becomes difficult for it to stay in place as a tissue. Bleeding begins as tissue destruction occurs, it is irregular and takes a long time. The danger of this is that this structure, which is constantly multiplying cellularly, may turn into cancer after a while. That's why menstrual order is important. In this sense, the treatment of patients who experience this condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, is of particular importance.

"Amenorrhea is Not a Sign of Uterine Cancer Alone”

Expressing that there may be a delay of one or two months in the menstrual period, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal talked about when this situation becomes a situation that needs attention: “If menstrual irregularity exceeds 3 months, a doctor should be consulted. Because this situation can lead to the pathological result, we call hyperplasia (hormone-related disease) over time. As a result, hyperplasia will progress and lead to cancer, so the necessary controls should be done with ultrasound without wasting too much time. Increased endometrial tissue thickness on ultrasound indicates hyperplasia and can be demonstrated by biopsy if necessary. It is possible to treat this condition with birth control drugs or the hormone progesterone.”

Underlining that not having menstruation alone is not a symptom of uterine cancer, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal said, “In some cases, bleeding may occur every 15 days. In this case, a polyp may be found in the uterus. Or there may be cancer development hidden under the polyp. These people definitely need to go to a doctor's control, it is vital that they take a biopsy when it is absolutely necessary by the doctor, especially in bleeding during menopause. However, it should be remembered that obesity, diabetes and hypertension can also pose a risk for uterine cancer, and regular check-ups should not be neglected.

What Should be the Examination Frequency?

Stating that in cases where both vaginal smear and HPV test are performed together, an examination may be required every 5 years, Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal shared the following information about the inspection intervals:

“If there is a familial factor, especially people with a family history of uterine, breast, ovarian and colon cancer should have these checkups every year. Cancers that we catch at an early stage has a very high chance of getting rid of it only by removing the uterus. In this way, the 5-year survival rate can reach up to XNUMX%. If it is delayed, it can spread to the muscle tissue of the uterus and from there to the lymph nodes. In this case, the chance of surgery becomes more difficult, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy are needed in addition to the surgery.”

“They Have a Chance to Become a Mother”

Drawing attention to people who want to become mothers, Yeditepe University Hospitals Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Prof. Dr. Orhan Ünal said, “In uterine cancers, if cancer has not progressed too far to the uterine wall and remained on the surface, we can treat them with high-dose progesterone, that is, medication, without surgery. At this stage, if no tumor cells were found in the biopsies taken after six months of treatment, we recommend that they get pregnant as soon as possible. In ovarian cancers, if there is no prevalence in the abdomen, if it is in the early stage or in a single ovary, pregnancy can be allowed after surgery in some types of cancer with the removal of the unilateral ovary and follow-ups with the doctor's recommendation.