Theoretical potential for endometrial cancer prevention through primary risk factor modification: Estimates from the EPIC cohort

Endometrial cancer rates vary considerably around the world, with incidence rates higher in Europe and North America than in parts of Asia and Africa. Here, the authors investigated how much of the risk disparity arises from modifiable factors, and how much modifying these factors could reduce cancer incidence. The 10% of European women with lowest risk had similar incidence to women in low-risk countries, they found. Their model predicted that in European women, maintaining BMI below 23 kg/m2 and avoiding postmenopausal hormone use could reduce risk by 30%. Long-term use of oral contraceptives could reduce risk by 42.5%.