Final answer:
Endometrial cancer risk factors include obesity, early menarche, infertility, as well as genetic history, hormone therapy, and advanced age, which influence hormone levels and the endometrial cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Risk Factors for Endometrial Cancer
The risk factors for the development of endometrial cancer include a range of physiological, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Obesity is known to increase the risk as excess body fat can result in higher levels of estrogen, which can stimulate the lining of the uterus and may lead to endometrial cancer. An early menarche, the onset of menstruation at a young age, is another risk factor as it increases the number of menstrual cycles a woman goes through in her lifetime, exposing the endometrium to more cycles of estrogen. Infertility or never having been pregnant also increases the risk because the endometrium is not exposed to the cycle of pregnancy hormones that may have a protective effect.
Other risk factors that could contribute include a family history of endometrial cancer or related cancers, a personal history of certain types of cancer or endometrial hyperplasia, hormone therapy for breast cancer, and certain inherited conditions. Advanced age, particularly after menopause, also increases the risk, as most endometrial cancers occur in women aged 55 and older. These factors can either directly affect the cells of the endometrium, or they can influence hormone levels in the body, which in turn affects the endometrium.