Uterine cancer cases in the U.S. are expected to rise significantly by 2050, with a notable threefold increase in mortality rates among Black women, according to a recent study by the American Association for Cancer Research.

In 2024, nearly 70,000 cases of uterine cancer were reported, making it the most common gynecologic cancer in the country.

Key factors driving the projected increase in uterine cancer cases include an aging population, rising obesity rates, and a decline in hysterectomies for conditions like fibroids and endometriosis.

Emerging treatments such as immunotherapy and biomarker-based therapies show promise for improving outcomes, while addressing obesity may also help reduce the incidence of new cases.

Disparities in uterine cancer outcomes are exacerbated by delays in diagnosis, barriers to accessing care, and sub-optimal treatment options, particularly for Black women.

Research has linked the use of chemical hair relaxers, which approximately 95% of Black women under 45 have used, to an increased risk of uterine cancer due to harmful toxins.

The decrease in hysterectomies has resulted in more women retaining their uterus, thereby increasing the risk of developing uterine cancer.

The findings of this study were published on July 1 in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, and were supported by a National Institutes of Health grant.

The research utilized a natural history model to forecast trends based on various factors including age, cancer type, race, obesity rates, and hysterectomy history.

While the overall five-year survival rate for uterine cancer is 81%, it dramatically decreases to between 20-50% for more aggressive forms of the disease, which disproportionately affect Black women.

The study emphasizes the need for new screening methods, as current diagnostic techniques are limited to symptomatic women, leaving asymptomatic cases undetected.

Implementing effective screening tests starting at age 55 could significantly reduce uterine cancer cases, highlighting the urgent need for improved screening and prevention strategies.