Womb cancer at ‘highest level in decades’

Cancer Research UK has highlighted the disturbing fact that the number of cases of cancer of the womb in the UK has reached a 30-year high. Their recently published study has revealed that more than 7,530 women develop the disease every year.

Hormonal changes in overweight or obese women could be responsible for the high number of cases, as could a drop in the number of pregnancies, experts at the charity suggested. However the major well-known risk factors are all connected to the levels of different hormones in the body and their overall balance.

The charity noted that  “When levels of oestrogen in your body are higher and progesterone is lower, it still lets the cells in the womb grow, and that happening over a long period of time can lead to an increase of womb cancer.” Sounds like a fair description of oestrogen dominance to me, and the results of allowing unopposed oestrogen without the balancing effect of natural progesterone.

It is sad, but not surprising, that oestrogen dominance is still not given enough serious credence by the medical profession as their drive to prescribe HRT rather than any natural alternatives seems undiminished.

I had a conversation recently with a lady who was interested in natural HRT but was told that it was ‘all nonsense’ by her doctor. The lady wanted to change her HRT for something with fewer side effects but the nil side effects option of replacing her HRT with natural hormones was certainly not offered to her.

It’s no wonder that so many women vote with their feet and switch to natural alternatives themselves.

Understanding the Role of Oestrogen Dominance

The connection between oestrogen dominance and womb cancer is one that deserves far more attention than it receives. When oestrogen acts on the uterine lining without the balancing influence of progesterone, it causes those cells to keep dividing and growing. Over months and years, this unchecked growth can lead to endometrial hyperplasia and, eventually, cancer.

Several factors contribute to oestrogen dominance becoming more common: increasing rates of obesity (fat tissue produces oestrogen), widespread use of oestrogen-only HRT, declining progesterone levels during perimenopause, and exposure to xenoestrogens — chemicals in our environment that mimic oestrogen.

The Protective Role of Progesterone

Natural progesterone plays a vital role in protecting the womb lining. It counteracts the proliferative effect of oestrogen by promoting the shedding and renewal of endometrial tissue during the menstrual cycle. When progesterone is inadequate, this protective mechanism fails.

Many women find that supplementing with bioidentical natural progesterone helps address oestrogen dominance. Unlike synthetic progestogens, bioidentical progesterone works with the body’s own chemistry and does not carry the same side effects.

What You Can Do

There are several practical steps that may help reduce your risk of womb cancer:

• Maintain a healthy weight: excess body fat is one of the biggest risk factors because it produces additional oestrogen
• Stay active: regular exercise helps regulate hormones and manage weight
• Eat well: cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower help the body metabolise oestrogen more safely
• Address hormone balance: if you have symptoms of oestrogen dominance, supplementing with bioidentical progesterone may help
• Be aware of unusual bleeding: any unexpected vaginal bleeding, particularly after menopause, should be investigated promptly by your doctor