[Case controlled study of endometrial cancer--high risk factors in Japanese women]

The incidence of endometrial cancer has been on the increase in Japan. To clarify the risk factors for endometrial cancer in Japanese women, we and our collaborators conducted a strictly controlled case study. A total of 19 Japanese medical centers participated in the study. Sexual abstinence, sterility, postmenopausal status and menstrual irregularity after the age of 30 years appear to be factors which significantly raise the relative risk for endometrial cancer. Conventionally, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and dietary habits have been emphasized as risk factors, however, these factors did not make a significant difference in our study. Accordingly, we suggest that examination for endometrial cancer should be performed on postmenopausal Japanese women and on women with menstrual irregularity who develop abnormal genital bleeding.