Dr Chase on the Importance of Endometrial Cancer Awareness Month

"It's great that we have new therapies for our [patients with] endometrial cancer…and that for some patients, we're really improving survival. However, we have to remember that it's one of the cancers on the rise…so raising awareness about the symptoms of endometrial cancer are really important."

Dana M. Chase, MD, a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at UCLA Health, noted the rising incidence of endometrial cancer, its deadly nature, and the importance of clinical trials for advancing treatment options.

Chase stated that although new therapies are available and are improving survival for some patients with endometrial cancer, the disease itself is a growing concern. Endometrial cancer is currently the fourth most common cancer in women but is on track to surpass colon cancer and become the third most common cancer in women in the United States, Chase reported. Furthermore, it has become more deadly than ovarian cancer, positioning it in the top 10 most deadly cancers in women, she added.

To combat these trends, Chase stressed the crucial importance of raising awareness about the symptoms of endometrial cancer. She noted that in certain groups, patients are more likely to die of the disease. For postmenopausal women, Chase emphasized that any bleeding is abnormal, even if it is just a spot or a pinkish discharge, and clinicians should be aware of these symptoms. For premenopausal women, a change in the typical pattern of menstruation—such as having more bleeding, heavier periods, or bleeding in between periods—is a reason to consult a gynecologist and should not be ignored, she advised. Chase concluded that spreading the word about these symptoms is vital so that women can present in an early stage, rather than an advanced stage, of the disease.