Having had retinoblastoma caused by an abnormal copy of the RB gene is another risk factor for uterine sarcoma. The RB gene is supposed to stop cells from growing too quickly, so when something’s wrong with this gene, it can lead to cancer.
report explains. Since black women are more prone to uterine sarcoma than any other racial group, that may be a contributing factor in late diagnosis.experience uterine cancer symptoms like abnormally heavy periods, Dr. Doll points to “the normalization of bleeding among black women” as a complicating factor in late diagnosis. Many black women have reproductive issues like uterine fibroids, which are benign growths in the uterus that can cause shockingly heavy, painful periods.
Some research suggests that even when black women visit a doctor to discuss unusual vaginal bleeding, they’re less likely to receive the same follow-up tests as white women on the same timeline.
Moore does question whether or not her status as a black woman delayed her diagnosis. “When I look back, I don’t know if I was marginalized because of my race,” she says.exists is the first step in catching it early. Not enough people are aware of the disease, Dr. Doll says. Moore agrees. “I had heard a lot of information about breast cancer but not a lot about gynecological cancers,” she says.
The ultimate hope is that there’s a different, less scary reason behind these symptoms. But if you do wind up getting a uterine cancer diagnosis, time is of the essence. Also, know that other people out there have been there and want to help you through it.
Just wanted to follow up our tweet and say thank you to the experts and resources who helped with this important story, including theNCI, CDCgov, AmericanCancer, KemiDoll, acog, and ecanawomen to name a few.