Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and is expected to see startling increases in incidence and mortality in coming years. In 2024, almost 70,000 new cases are projected to be diagnosed. Experts are sounding alarms that, by 2050, it’s expected that the rate of uterine cancer will increase dramatically, especially among Black and/or Latino women.
This expected rise is particularly alarming news for Black women. They already are twice as likely to die of uterine cancer as white women. If current trends continue, projections indicate that the disparity will nearly double by 2050. Black women may be at a three times greater risk of dying from this illness. New case rates for uterine cancer are about to increase by more than 50% — for Black women, this increase will be even higher. By comparison, white women can anticipate a raise of about 30%.
Several factors contribute to this projected rise. The growing aging population is a key driver, as uterine cancer is mostly an older women’s disease. The overweight and obesity epidemic is escalating at breakneck speed across every segment of the U.S. population. This phenomenon is helping to drive the rapid rise in uterine cancer incidence.
This increase in rates has been driven by reductions in hysterectomies. Conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis are major contributors to this trend. Far fewer women are opting to get these procedures that significantly lower the development of uterine cancer. Due to these factors, we should expect to see an increase in cases.
In spite of these really scary numbers, uterine cancer has a high overall five-year survival rate of 81%. Survival rates nosedive for patients with more aggressive forms of the disease. For some, they are as low as 20% and for others, 50%. This shortfall highlights the need for early detection and better treatment strategies.
Elena Elkin’s primary research interest is in gynecologic cancers. She calls for a more effective focus on targeting risk factors to cut the growing tide of new cases. “Like many cancers, uterine cancer is a disease of aging. Another major factor is the increase in overweight and obesity in the U.S. population,” she stated.
It’s been estimated that a consistent, proven screening test would have an enormous impact—especially for women over the age of 55. It would close off a huge avenue by which uterine cancers could be prevented. Today, barriers in screening tests prevent early diagnosis and treatment effectiveness.
“We don’t yet have a test that is accurate enough to provide the maximum benefit and minimum harm,” Elkin noted. She believes that advancements in screening technologies could play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of this disease in the future.
Additionally, as Elkin underscored, inequitable health outcomes can no longer be overlooked. “Studies have shown that these disparities are due to delays in diagnosis, barriers to accessing care, and receiving sub-optimal care,” she explained. The experience of Black women exemplifies the barriers to health they continually encounter. They are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with aggressive forms of uterine cancer.
“Population level changes in overweight and obesity, perhaps through improved access to the current generation of weight loss medications, could lead to reductions in uterine cancer cases in the future,” she stated.
Over the last 30 years, incidences of uterine cancer and ensuing deaths have increased at an all-time high rate. Experts call for immediate attention to these trends and emphasize that targeted efforts could help reduce the burden of this disease on vulnerable populations.
