Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Six Years Later

This year, the American Cancer Society estimated that 61,880 new cases of uterine cancer would be diagnosed and that 12,160 women—20 percent—would die from it.

On December 13, 2013 (also a Friday), I underwent a total robotic hysterectomy for uterine cancer—type 1, stage 1B, grade 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma—at which time the estimates were 49,560 and 8,190, respectively. (Endometrial cancer, which arises from the lining of the womb, is the most common type of uterine cancer.)

My next checkup is scheduled for next week, and I am optimistic that all will be well. Although I have had secondary effects from my internal vaginal radiation (brachytherapy), I have had no other problems since that other Friday the 13th, which I now consider a lucky day.

And to commemorate my six-year anniversary, I am inspired to update patient education about this most commonly diagnosed gynecologic cancer, fourth most common cancer, and sixth most…