In the United States, cancer of the endometrium is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs. The American Cancer Society estimates that 37,400 new cases of endometrial cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. It is estimated that about 6,400 women in the United States will die from endometrial cancer each year. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer.
Different cancers have different risk factors.
The ovaries normally produce two main types of female hormones - estrogen and progesterone. The balance between these two hormones changes each month, producing a woman's monthly periods and helping to keep the endometrium healthy. When the balance of these two hormones shifts toward relatively more estrogen, a woman's risk for developing endometrial cancer increases. We do not yet know exactly what causes most cases of endometrial cancer, but we do know what certain risk factors are. A great deal of research is underway to learn more about the disease.