Too often, women with endometrial cancer (EC) have reported that their symptoms were stigmatized and dismissed. Even though diagnoses and deaths from this type of uterine cancer are on the rise, it remains under-recognized.
Spot Her® is an initiative to help end the silence around endometrial cancer. Together we can help empower people across generations and cultures to spot the potential signs early, speak up and take action.
When we rally around a cause, change happens. Join us in our pledge to #SpotHerforEC and raise our voices around this serious cancer—for our friends, our family and ourselves.
After a routine appointment with her gynecologist, Meagan Good learned that she had potentially cancerous cells in her uterus. She and her doctor decided to remove the cells to prevent them from developing further. Now, Meagan is passionate about encouraging others to stay on top of their gynecologic health.
She's partnering with FORCE, SHARE, Black Health Matters and Eisai Inc. to help more people across generations learn to spot the potential signs of endometrial cancer and to participate in the Spot Her virtual walk.
For every mile logged, Eisai will donate $1 between FORCE and SHARE (up to 20 miles per participant, up to $20,000), which provide support for people living with endometrial cancer. Charity Footprints is offering free registration for the first 1,000 participants who sign up. Click the button below to register and join the virtual walk.
JOIN THE VIRTUAL WALKIt was a routine appointment that turned out to be anything but routine. During that visit, Meagan's doctor noticed abnormal cells in her uterus and decided to take a biopsy for testing.
She waited for the results and when they returned, they showed that the tissue could potentially become cancerous. Her doctor explained that if the cells progressed to cancer, it could be difficult for her to get pregnant.
Since removing these cells, Meagan's doctor continues to monitor her health during her regular appointments. “I became much more conscious of my gynecologic health and the importance of going to my annual appointments,” Meagan said.
"Before that appointment, I hadn't experienced any concerning symptoms," she said.
That’s why Meagan is so passionate about raising awareness of endometrial cancer, especially across the Black community—where intersectional factors contribute to a lack of dialogue around gynecologic health.
Among the Black community, women have reported knowledge gaps about menopause, silence around and misinterpretation of symptoms, and lack of dialogue with health care professionals. These may each play a role in Black women being diagnosed at later stages.
It’s important to monitor your health, visit the doctor regularly and ask questions. “While not everything is in our control,” she said, “We need to show up for ourselves the same way that we show up for the people we love.”
Educates herself about gynecologic health
Keeps track of her symptoms
Asks direct questions during her regular doctor visits
For every post shared using #SpotHerforEC, Eisai will donate $1 (up to $20,000) between FORCE and SHARE, which provide support for women living with endometrial cancer. By helping raise awareness for endometrial cancer, you’re also helping to support the mission of these organizations.
I pledge to #SpotHerforEC! Will you? Click to see how you can help those in your life spot some of the potential signs of endometrial cancer. Tweet
The following stories are from real patients and are based on their individual experiences.
Gynecologic health is an important conversation to have at any age, but it’s not often discussed, especially in the Black community. After my uterine cancer scare, I’m not afraid to have open and honest conversations with my friends, family and doctor about gynecologic health. I want to encourage everyone, particularly the Black community, to do the same. As women, it’s important that we support each other, speak up about gynecologic symptoms and advocate for our health when visiting our doctor.
I experienced two months of heavy bleeding, before I decided to go to the emergency room. The ER doctors told me my symptoms may just be a change in my menstrual cycle and stress, but I insisted on more tests and found out I had endometrial cancer. That’s why I’m so passionate about encouraging women to advocate for their health and not ignore what could be signs of endometrial cancer.
Don't delay, go right away. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer at 65. I was working part-time as a social worker, in a position that I loved, helping foster youth to reconnect with their families. It was a busy time, however, I made an appointment to see my general practitioner immediately at the first sign of bleeding.
I shared a story with my gynecologist about an embarrassing moment at the gym when I suddenly felt a gush of blood. But she wasn’t amused. She ordered tests for me right away, and I was later diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I also found out I had Lynch syndrome, and I told my daughter about it so she understands her risk. We all need to support the women in our lives by educating and advocating for each other’s health.
At age 56, I was experiencing heavy bleeding, but I wrote it off as a symptom of pre-menopause. I was a busy mom and everything else in life took priority, so I didn’t see a doctor. One night I woke up hemorrhaging and wound up in the ER where I learned I had stage IV endometrial cancer. I want other women to learn from my experience. Pay attention to your bodies and don’t ignore what could be signs of endometrial cancer.
My oncologist suspected there might be a genetic reason for my colon cancer diagnosis. I tested positive for Lynch syndrome and I learned I had a 60-80% chance of developing endometrial cancer. I had a total hysterectomy, but by then I already had stage IA endometrial cancer. Women should learn about their genetic risks for cancer.
Have your own Spot Her story? Share on social with #SpotHerforEC. For every social post, Eisai will donate $1 (up to $20,000) between FORCE and SHARE.
Found in the lining of the uterus, endometrial cancer accounts for 90% of uterine cancer diagnoses. Uterine cancer is the 4th most frequently diagnosed cancer for women in the U.S. In 2021, uterine cancer resulted in an estimated 66,570 new cases and 12,940 deaths—and these rates are on the rise.
Endometrial cancer occurs most commonly among women who have gone through menopause, but it can also occur much earlier. In fact, diagnoses are on the rise among younger women between the ages of 20 to 49, when fertility may be an important concern.
Thousands of mothers, aunts, sisters, friends and loved ones are impacted by this serious disease. It's time for all women to know about endometrial cancer, because early detection can mean identifying the cancer when it may be more treatable.
Women with endometrial cancer have reported that their symptoms were often stigmatized and dismissed. By talking about these gynecologic symptoms, we can empower others to spot the signs early and take action, when it may be more treatable.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting, or brownish discharge after menopause
Irregular or heavy bleeding in younger women before menopause
Pelvic pain or pressure
Symptoms common in later stages can include feeling a mass and/or losing weight without trying. These are not all of the symptoms of endometrial cancer and they could be caused by other conditions. These symptoms could be easily overlooked, so it is important to talk to your doctor about any symptoms of concern as soon as they arise.
Endometrial cancer may be more treatable when detected early. It's especially important for Black women to recognize the symptoms, as only 53% of Black women with the condition receive an early diagnosis.
A study that interviewed fifteen Black women with endometrial cancer suggests that various factors may contribute to a delay in diagnosis in the Black community. Participants described knowledge gaps about menopause, silence regarding vaginal bleeding among family and friends, misinterpretation of vaginal bleeding symptoms, and lack of dialogue with health care professionals.
It’s important to be aware of factors that may increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer and talk to your doctor about any risk factors of concern.
A family history of certain conditions may increase your risk of endometrial cancer. Women in families with Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), have a higher risk of endometrial cancer.
Other genetic risk factors include (but are not limited to) mutations or changes in the PTEN gene. PTEN is a protein that helps control many cell functions, and is considered a tumor-suppressor. People with an inherited PTEN mutation may have a condition called Cowden syndrome.
Genetic counseling can give you information about how genetic conditions might affect you or your family, and genetic testing may help you to better understand if you might have an inherited risk for endometrial cancer. People with a uterus should consult with their doctor about whether to receive genetic counseling and testing. To get more information on genetic risk factors for endometrial cancer, as well as information on genetic counseling, visit Resources below.