Preventing Uterine Cancer

Cancer is a leading cause of death and is accountable for 30% of deaths in Canada. These include uterine cancer. 

Unfortunately, there are no guaranteed ways of preventing uterine cancer. However, there are things you can do to lower your risk of getting it. 

Here are four things to help lower your chances of getting uterine cancer. 

Get Regular Health Checks

Several indicators make some people more prone to uterine cancer than others. These include age, race, obesity, genetics, and so on. 

Health professionals such as an experienced gynecologist in Montreal can look at these factors and make certain determinations on matters of risk. They can also ensure you carry out regular screenings to look out for warning signs. 

If you do get uterine cancer, the earlier it’s diagnosed, the better the outcome you will have with treatment. 

Birth Control Pills

Millions of women use birth control pills to balance hormones, prevent pregnancy or manage menstruation-related problems. Over the years, research has uncovered an additional benefit of these pills. 

Oral contraceptives with progesterone and estrogen, otherwise known as the combination pill, can also reduce one’s risks of certain cancers. These are ovarian and uterine cancers. For example, women that used combined pills at some point are said to have a 30% lower chance of developing uterine cancer than women that have never been on the pill. 

While this is great news for uterine cancer, it’s not so great for other cancers. While medics and researchers are yet to agree on this, it is believed that contraception pills slightly increase the risk of cancers like breast and cervical cancers.  

With the benefits and risks associated with birth control pills, ensure to have this discussion with your physician. They can assess your risks and benefits for different pills and advise on the safest way forward. 

Go for a Healthy Diet

You already know that you can eat your way to good health. This goes for cancer as well, and you can remain in good health by minding your diet. 

Women whose diets include high levels of animal fat have an increased risk of uterine cancer. Nutritionists recommend a diet rich in legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds, vegetables, and fruits for better health. 

Similarly, include lots of garlic, lentils, grapes, and onions in your diet. As you do this, avoid too much salt, processed meat, sugar-dense foods, and alcohol.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is a risk factor in numerous health conditions, uterine cancer included. Fatty tissue in overweight women produces more estrogen. Estrogen is a sex hormone closely linked to an increase in uterine cancer. 

With as many as 70% of uterine cancer cases linked to obesity, ensuring you are within a healthy weight margin is crucial. This can be achieved with clean eating and physical exercise.