COLUMBUS, Ohio – While most rates of cancer continue to decrease, oncologists express concern that rates of uterine cancer (also known as endometrial cancer) continue to rise, and this trend disproportionately affects Black women. According to recent statistics from the American Cancer Society, uterine cancer has become the deadliest form of reproductive cancer among women. The gap between how this disease impacts Black and white women continues to widen, with more Black women being diagnosed at later stages and more Black women dying of the disease. “The health disparities in endometrial cancer are a healthcare crisis. This needs to be on the forefront of our conversations about impacting patient care,” said Casey Cosgrove, MD, a gynecologic oncologist with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). “Rates of uterine cancer are not only continuing to rise among Black women in America compared to other races – but more women are dying of this disease.” Research to understand what is driving higher rates of uterine cancer in Black women Although obesity is the No. 1 known risk factor for uterine cancer, Cosgrove hypothesizes that underlying differences in the molecular drivers of the disease in Black versus white women could play a significant role. His team at the OSUCCC – James is conducting a research study funded by the National Cancer Institute and Cancer Moonshot to look at how DNA/RNA-level drivers of this disease differ between Black and white women. “All endometrial cancers are not created equal. And unfortunately, especially for Black women, many of the more aggressive endometrial cancers are seen in women who are Black. It is imperative that we get to what is driving this on a cellular level so we can develop better treatment options for this disease,” said Cosgrove. For this study, Cosgrove’s team is conducting extensive genomic (molecular) testing on tumor samples from 700 women with very high-risk endometrial cancer. Half of those women are self-reported Black women, and half are self-reported white. “We hope that our findings will shed light on whether or not there are differences at a DNA level that explain how these tumors are ticking so that we can better personalize therapies, especially based off of race, ethnicity and other factors in the future,” said Cosgrove. Recognizing concerning symptoms An estimated 90% of endometrial cancers present with abnormal uterine bleeding, so Cosgrove says it is important for women of all ages – but especially those with additional risk factors such as obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure and irregular ovulation – to consult with their gynecologist. Columbus, Ohio, resident Adrienne Shinn lost her sister, Clarise, to advanced uterine cancer. She says her sister’s abdominal pain was dismissed for months before she was diagnosed with the disease. Shinn says it is critical for women to advocate for themselves, especially when implicit bias may play a role in medical care. “It's your body, it's your health, you know your body better than anyone,” she said. “My sister was an Aerospace Safety Engineer for NASA. She was a highly intelligent, accomplished woman and proactive about her health. Yet we still lost her to this disease – because it took a long time for the medical community to take her concerns seriously. This should not be the outcome for any woman who is expressing concern about her health and seeking help.” Cosgrove noted that only about 3-5% of endometrial cancers can be explained by known genetic risk factors, which include Lynch syndrome. Women who carry a Lynch syndrome mutation have up to a 60% lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer. Shinn encourages women – and men – to seek genetic counseling like she did after her sister’s death. “One of the most incredible breakthroughs with endometrial cancer in the last decade has really been the utilization of immunotherapy, which is a different way to fight the cancer. In traditional chemotherapy, we kind of knock down the cancer cells and make it so that they can't continue growing. But immunotherapy actually has a patient's own immune system start attacking the cancer. We know that immunotherapy works very well in many different types of cancers, including some uterine cancers with specific molecular characteristics.” The OSUCCC – James has many research initiatives for endometrial cancer, including the Pelotonia-funded Ohio Prevention and Treatment of Endometrial Cancer statewide research initiative. To learn more about research and patient care at the OSUCCC – James, visit cancer.osu.edu or call 1-800-293-5066. ### MEDIA CONTACT: Amanda Harper amanda.harper2@osumc.edu | 614-685-5420 https://cancer.osu.edu/news