Taking the Initiative: Early Warning Signs for Uterine Cancer
Many gynecologic cancers advance without warning, but the most common form of uterine cancer announces its presence quite clearly. “The good news about endometrial cancer is that it has a warning sign, which is irregular bleeding for the younger woman and postmenopausal bleeding for the older woman,” says UAB gynecologic oncologist Larry Kilgore, M.D. “When you go through menopause at age 50 or so, you shouldn’t bleed anymore. If you do, it’s cancer until proven otherwise. Most diagnosed cases of endometrial cancer occur because of what’s known as postmenopausal bleeding.”

Estrogen and Uterine Cancer: Does Hormone Therapy Help or Hurt?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be a blessing or a curse. A common treatment for the symptoms of menopause, HRT can spare women many of the discomforts and health risks of aging. Administered properly, it can also offer protective benefits against uterine cancer and osteoporosis. But HRT may marginally increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. So how can you find out if hormone therapy is right for you?

Inspiration: Retha Brannon
Retha is an endometrial cancer survivor. But she’s also much more, including an avid supporter of the arts, a collector of antiques and books, a companion to three dogs and five cats, a writer, and a storyteller.