‘I wish I had known’: Overweight women at higher risk of cancer

A Aussie woman has issued a stark warning to others as fears grow over rising numbers of this potential killer.

Australian doctors are warning of the shocking rise in endometrial cancer cases which have doubled in 20 years and have linked the soaring numbers to women carrying excess weight.

A Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 increases the risk of endometrial cancer up to six times, compared to those with a BMI in the normal range of 18.5 to 25, oncologists at the Mater reveal.

The oestrogen produced by fat tissue plays a role in triggering cancer in the uterus lining.

Disturbingly, while the mortality rates for ovarian and cervical cancer continue to fall, endometrial cancer is the only gynaecological cancer with a rising mortality rate.

Doctors at the Mater Private Hospital in Brisbane report that modern lifestyles are the biggest driver of new cases.

Each year around 200 women have surgery to treat endometrial cancer at the Mater.

Gynaecological oncologist Nisha Jagasia said metabolic syndrome — which is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity – is a major risk factor for endometrial cancer,” Dr Jagasia said

Victoria Asirifi, 40, was 200kgs when diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Photo: Supplied

“We know that modern lifestyles mean that more people are living with obesity, which is a major health challenge in itself,” she said.

Endometrial cancer currently has an 83 per cent five-year survival rate as most cases can be treated successfully if detected at an early stage but close to 550 women lose their lives to the disease each year.

Many patients only require surgical management, including hysterectomy, while women with more advanced disease may require radiation and chemotherapy after surgery.

“Abnormal bleeding in pre-menopause, especially in women living with obesity, or any bleeding after menopause, should be investigated promptly,” the oncologist said.

Victoria Asirifi, 40, of Ellen Grove, Brisbane, was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2021.

The Pacific Islander social worker weighed 200kg at the time and had experienced heavy bleeding for several months before seeking advice from her general practitioner.

She received hormone therapy and also underwent gastric sleeve surgery to reduce the risk of the cancer spreading, losing 60kgs in weight.

Dr Jagasia performed an open hysterectomy on Ms Asirifi in April, which included the removal of her fallopian tubes and ovaries, preventing the cancer from metastasising.

“I wish I had known more about the risk factors of being overweight and how it can contribute to endometrial cancer,” Ms Asirifi said.

“Many women don’t know the correlation between being obese and endometrial cancer.

“The chances of giving birth to my own children are gone. I hope my story helps someone else who is sitting in silence,” she said.