Women with fibroids — or who have had them — are not at greater
risk of getting uterine cancer. Fibroids are common, benign
tumors of muscle tissue that grow in the wall of the uterus. In
most women, fibroids cause no symptoms. And they do not need
treatment. When there are symptoms, women may have lower
abdominal pain or pressure, heavy periods and frequent
urination. You can relieve fibroid symptoms with medicine such
as ibuprofen. If symptoms do not improve or if the fibroids grow
rapidly, you may need to have them removed with surgery. A newer
treatment can shrink fibroids by stopping blood flow to the
tumor. This treatment is called uterine artery embolization.
Women who have high levels of estrogen compared with the amount
of progesterone have a greater risk of uterine cancer. Other
risks for uterine cancer include: - A history of infertility - A
history of obesity - Use of estrogen therapy - Use of tamoxifen
to treat breast cancer - Certain medical conditions, such as
diabetes and high blood pressure A