Q. Can medications cause uterine cancer?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Yes, certain medications can increase the risk for uterine cancer. Specifically, some hormone replacement therapies (HRTs) used to treat menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, have been linked with increased risk of developing uterine cancer.
Studies have also suggested that long-term use of certain medications called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), which mimic estrogen in the body, may play a role in increasing the risk for this type of cancer. In addition to HRTs and SERMs, drugs used to treat infertility issues such as clomiphene citrate may also increase the odds for uterine cancer.
In general, research suggests that taking these types of drugs over an extended period of time are more likely to increase one's risk than taking them short-term; however it is important to speak with your physician before making any decisions about your healthcare or medication use. Additionally, people who have already had Uterine Cancer should not take these drugs without consulting their doctor first due to potential risks associated with them.