Advanced-stage endometrial cancer: contributions of estrogen use, smoking, and other risk factors

The contributions of estrogen replacement therapy, smoking, and other risk factors to the development of advanced-stage (2-4) endometrial cancer were evaluated in a case-control study of women 40-69 years old from upstate New York. Eighty-four cases and 168 matched community controls were interviewed in person about estrogen exposure and other risk factors. Despite a statistically significant increase in risk with longer use of estrogen pills (P less than 0.05), estrogen exposure actually contributed little to the overall risk of advanced-stage endometrial cancer. Other physical conditions (increased weight, lower parity, diabetes) and socioeconomic factors (education, access to medical services) largely accounted for advanced-stage disease. The evidence in this study does not support the hypothesis that women who smoke have a lower risk than nonsmokers of developing advanced-stage endometrial cancer.