I have been told the lining of my uterus is extremely thick for a woman in her early thirties any advice?

I should add that since the birth of the babies I am having 12 day long periods (21 days apart) that are so heavy painful that I am afraid to leave the house as I go through so many pads and tampons. That is what brought me back to the OB/GYN.I have been told the lining of my uterus is extremely thick for a woman in her early thirties any advice?
What is cancer of the uterus?


Cancer of the uterus is the most common gynaecological cancer affecting women. There are several types of cancer of the uterus, depending in which part of the uterus the cancer occurs. The majority are actually cancers of the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. Cancers can also develop in the muscle layers of the uterus.





Endometrial hyperplasia


Occasionally some women develop a very thick lining of the uterus (hyperplasia) which can result in very heavy periods or bleeding at irregular times or a watery, bloody discharge, even after menopause (the ceasing of periods). Some types of endometrial hyperplasia may be a pre-cancerous condition. If you have finished child-bearing, your doctor may advise you to have a hysterectomy, the removal of the uterus by surgery.





Abnormal bleeding before menopause, and in all women who recommence bleeding after the menopause is clearly over (more than 12 months after the end of the last monthly period), must be investigated by your doctor.





Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium


An adenocarcinoma is a cancer that starts in glandular tissue. Most women (about 85 per cent) with cancer of the uterus are diagnosed with this form of endometrial cancer.





Other types of cancer of the uterus


The less common types of cancer of the uterus are adenosquamous carcinoma, papillary serous carcinoma and, rarely, clear cell carcinoma or uterine carcinoma. They are called high-risk cancers because they may be more likely to spread.





Stages of cancer of the uterus


Cancer of the uterus generally starts in the lining of the uterus and, if untreated, will fill up the uterus. It is a cancer that generally stays in the pelvic cavity, and can also affect the cervix and, less commonly, the vagina, the Fallopian tubes and the ovaries.





However, cancers which develop in the uterus may spread to other parts of the body via the lymph system鈥攐ne of your body's natural defences against infection. Cancer cells from the primary tumour in the uterus can also escape into the abdomen.





Depending on how much cancer you have, you will be said to have a certain 'stage' of cancer of the uterus. Sometimes endometrial hyperplasia is called 'cancer in situ' and is named a Stage 0 cancer. Cancer which is confined to the uterus is called Stage I; if it has spread to the cervix it is called a Stage II cancer. Stage III cancer has extended from the uterus to the fallopian tubes, ovaries or pelvic and abdominal lymph glands. Cancer that extends outside the pelvis or that involves the rectum or bladder and has spread to distant sites is called Stage IV cancer.





How common is cancer of the uterus?








Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria statistics show that, in Victoria each year, there are about 350 women diagnosed with cancer of the uterus.


About 80 per cent of these women will have undergone menopause.


Most will be aged in their 60s and 70s when they are found to have cancer of the uterus.


What causes cancer of the uterus?


The causes of cancer of the uterus are only just beginning to be understood. There needs to be more investigation before doctors can explain why some women get this disease. More research is being carried out in Australia and overseas. However, there are some things that are known about this cancer.








Cancer of the uterus is not caused by sexual activity and can not be passed on by sexual activity.


The uterus is hormone-sensitive and can sometimes be over-stimulated by oestrogen. Women who take long-term oestrogen therapy need to talk with their doctors about how to protect themselves. Women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) usually take oestrogen together with progesterone. This combination reduces a woman's likelihood of getting cancer of the uterus.


Using the contraceptive pill seems to provide some protection against cancer of the uterus. The longer the pill has been used, the greater the degree of protection.


Women who have developed hyperplasia of the uterine lining are believed to be at an increased risk.


Women who have gone through menopause, who are infertile or who have never had children seem to have a higher risk than other women. Women with problems with high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes also seem at risk.


Some women who are overweight may be at an increased risk of cancer of the uterus because fatty tissue makes a form of the oestrogen hormone.


Cancer of the uterus seems to be more common in families who have a history of endometrial, breast or colon cancer.


Having one or more of the risk factors does not mean you are going to get cancer of the uterus; some women diagnosed with the disease do not have any known risk factors.





What does my future look like?


The vast majority of women with early cancer of the uterus will be cured of their disease. For women with more advanced cases of the disease, a cure may still be possible. For other women, treatment can keep the disease under control for long peI have been told the lining of my uterus is extremely thick for a woman in her early thirties any advice?
Only your doctor can advise for certain about the best course to take. The only thing I can tell you for certain is that if your family is complete, a laproscopic hysterectomy is not a difficult surgery. I had one six weeks ago (along with lumpectomy and node removal for breast cancer) and recovery from that surgery was not difficult for me. If that is an option for you, it might be worth it to relieve the misery you have been experiencing and the worries about cancer. I also had problems with heavy bleeding and once cancer became an issue, it was the best choice to resolve the problem.