The risk of endometrial cancer (EC) is lowered by moderate drinking.

Study

The study looked at drinking and risk of EC. It followed 68,067 women who were age 35-59 at the start of the study. The doctors did  for 30 years. They also measured the women’s alcohol drinking during that time.

Doctors found a total of 794 cases of endometrial cancer during the study. Compared to abstaining, light alcohol drinking was linked with a 22% lower risk of EC. There was no drinking level that had as high a risk of cancer as abstaining.

This study was based on a very large sample over a long period of time. Data collection was before rather than after the diagnoses of cancer. It is not subject to the errors of recall. In short, it is a very strong study.

Possible Signs of Endometrial Cancer

Some of the signs of endometrial cancer don’t appear until the disease is advanced.

• • Abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting or other discharge.
  • Pain in the pelvis.
  • A mass felt in the abdomen.
  • Unintended weight loss.

Any of these may or may not be a sign of EC. But it’s best to see a doctor right away. The sooner the disease is found, the better the odds of successful treatment.

Endometrial Cancer Risk Factors

Alcohol is not a risk factor for EC. That’s the conclusion of major authoritative bodies. They include these.

• • American Cancer Society.
  • United States National Institutes of Health.
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology.
  • Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
  • Mayo Clinic.

The American Cancer Society provides statistics on the disease.

• • Endometrial cancer usually develops over age 45.
  • About three out of four occur over age 55.
  • Over 600,000 women in the US are survivors of endometrial cancer.

It’s good to keep in mind that last fact

Resources: Risk of Endometrial Cancer

Web

• • Alcohol and Endometrial Cancer
  • Alcohol and Cancer Risk
  • Drinking and Women’s Health
  • Alcohol and Cervical Cancer Risk

Source

• • Je, Y., et al. Long-term alcohol intake and risk of endometrial cancer in the Nurses’ Health Study. Brit. J. Can., 111, 186-19.

Popular Books

• • Greggi, S. Endometrial Cancer. Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment.
  • Kwabi-Addo, B. and Lindstrom, T. Cancer Causes and Controversies. Understanding Risk Reduction and Prevention. Clear facts on how to reduce risk of cancer.
  • Rawls, G., et al. Managing Cancer. The African American’s Guide to Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
  • Holford, P. and Efiong, L. Say No to Cancer. The Drug-free Guide to preventing and Helping Fight Cancer.

Note

• • This site gives no advice. Please see your doctor for alcohol and risk of endometrial cancer concerns.