My Article Is Live

I will write more later. Right now, I wanted to share a link to an article I wrote on endometrial cancer. The article is now live on spryliving.com. Here is the link: http://spryliving.com/articles/the-obesity-endometrial-cancer-connection/.

Some have taken issue with the focus on obesity in this story. Obesity is but one risk factor for developing endometrial cancer. However, recent research at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston shows that fat women have a nine to 10 percent lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer, unlike their leaner counterparts who have a three percent lifetime risk of developing endometrial cancer. Epidemiologic studies show obesity is strongly correlated with an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. Literature reviews conducted by the American Institute for Cancer Research and World Cancer Research Fund confirm the evidence linking body mass index and cancer is strongest for endometrial cancer. Adipose (fat) tissue stimulates the excess production of estrogen and researchers believe this is a major risk factor for developing endometrial cancer.

The causes of endometrial cancer are still unknown. Young or old, lean or fat, women are at risk. Women need to understand the risks and need to take steps to minimize their risk of developing endometrial cancer. If losing weight and making lifestyle changes can save your life, don’t you owe it to yourself to make changes in your life. Otherwise, the cancer club can always use another member to replace one of the more than 8,000 women who will die from endometrial cancer this year. The choice is yours.

I am overweight. MY body mass index, or BMI, places me in the morbidly obese category. I wasn’t always heavy. I started piling on the pounds after I broke up with my first fiancé. What is surprising is that I do triathlons, I lift weights, I hike, I go caving, I backpack, I kayak. To look at me, you would not guess I weighed 242 pounds. I don’t want to go into surgery this heavy so I have joined Gold’s Gym. This was my wakeup call that my weight has spiraled out of control.

I only have myself to blame for my weight issues. I am responsible for what I put in my mouth and the quantity of food that I eat. What it comes down to for me is mindless eating. I am not an emotional eater. When I am angry, sad, lonely, I work out. When my parents had cancer, I would go to the pool and swim laps and take my frustrations out that way. Women who are fat have only themselves to blame. We make our own decisions. We victimize ourselves. Obesity is on the rise in this country and women don’t realize its dangers. Call it harsh. Call it blaming the victim. Nobody put a gun to my head and told me to take another bite; I made my own choices.

Yes. Making lifestyle changes is not easy. Choosing to eat healthy vs. choosing to eat junk food. Choosing to exercise vs. sitting on the couch and watching TV. But when it boils down to my life or enjoying another bite of chocolate, I’ll choose my life any day.

Please feel free to comment and share your stories. This blog is an open forum for all women dealing with endometrial cancer and men who have someone in their life who has been touched with endometrial cancer.