Metabolic Syndrome and Endometrial Cancer: What’s the Connection?

What is metabolic syndrome? 

It’s a cluster of conditions that raise your risk of serious health problems. 

They include: 

High blood pressure

High blood sugar

High cholesterol levels

Obesity

Metabolic syndrome and endometrial cancer

Many women with endometrial cancer also have metabolic syndrome.

Scientists have found a link between 3 signs of metabolic syndrome — obesity, diabetes and hypertension — and endometrial cancer.

This is called the “triple syndrome of endometrial cancer.” 

• People living with obesity are 3x more likely to get endometrial cancer

• People with diabetes are 2x as likely to get endometrial cancer 

• People with hypertension are at higher risk of getting endometrial cancer

The link between obesity and endometrial cancer

Carrying excess weight can increase the amount of estrogen in your body, which can promote the growth of endometrial cancer.  

The link between blood sugar and endometrial cancer

A high-glucose environment, which occurs during diabetes, may fuel endometrial cancer, allowing cells to grow and become more invasive. 

The link between high blood pressure and endometrial cancer 

Researchers have established that high blood pressure increases your risk for endometrial cancer, but they are still exploring why.

The good news?

You can lower your risk of endometrial cancer, even if you have metabolic syndrome. 

Actions you can take:

• Exercise regularly

• Eat a healthy diet

• Use hormonal birth control 

• Breastfeed 

• Treat obesity and hypertension 

• Take diabetes medications to help lower blood sugar 

• Schedule regular check-ups with your healthcare provider

• Have genetic testing if you have a family history of endometrial cancer

This educational resource was created with support from Karyopharm Therapeutics and Merck.