© 2026 AIPM HealthyLife®. All rights reserved.

The uterus (womb) is a hollow, pear-shaped organ in a female’s lower abdomen between the bladder and the rectum. Cancer of the uterus most often affects the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, so is also called endometrial cancer. It is the most common reproductive cancer in women. Most women diagnosed with uterine cancer are between the ages of 50 and 70. When found and treated early, though, more than 90% of cases can be cured.
{Note: Some cases of uterine cancer can be detected by a Pap test, but this is used to detect cervical cancer. Even if you have had a recent normal Pap test, see your doctor if you have post menopausal vaginal bleeding.}
Cancer of the uterus does not often occur before menopause. It can occur around the time menopause begins, though. When bleeding stops and starts up again, let your doctor know. If you are on hormone therapy, you may have regular cyclic bleeding.
The risk for uterine cancer is greater if you have had increased exposure to estrogen from one or more of the following:
Other risk factors include:
Treatment includes one or more of the following:
Medical care, not self-care, is needed for uterine cancer.
National Cancer Institute
800.4.CANCER (422.6237)cancer.gov/types/uterine