Endometrial cancer: women victims of their own hormones

Hormones synthesized by the body to expose the woman may develop later, after the menopause, cancer of the endometrium, without any context of hormone replacement therapy, according to a study published in the journal "International Journal of cancer ".
High levels of endogenous estrogen (produced by the body) and androgens (male hormones also produced in women in smaller quantities) significantly increase the risk of cancer of the endometrium (lining of the inside the uterus) in postmenopausal women.

In a study of 124 patients with invasive endometrial cancer, Dr. Anne-Zeleniuch Jacquotte University of New York (USA), and colleagues compared the blood levels of various hormones (measured prior to cancer diagnosis) with those from healthy women. None of the participants had not received hormone replacement therapy.

The researchers have found that women with endogenous estrogen levels located at the highest levels multiplied their risk of endometrial cancer by 4 compared to those whose hormone levels were found to be lower. For blood testosterone levels, this risk could double if the higher concentrations.

"In postmenopausal women, the main source of estrogen comes from the conversion of androgens to estrogens in adipose tissue. Moreover, blood estrogen levels are positively correlated with body mass index (ratio of the weight of the square of height), "said Dr. Zeleniuch-Jacquotte.

According to her, it is important to fight against weight gain and obesity after menopause to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.