Mass screening for endometrial cancer directed in risk groups of patients with diabetes and patients with hypertension

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The interest in mass screening programs for the early detection of endometrial cancer (EC) has grown with the rising incidence of this disease. Preliminary programs directed at asymptomatic women with only one risk factor, i.e. age, have not been cost-effective. METHODS: In the current study, 597 asymptomatic women from 45-69 years of age with diabetes and/or hypertension were screened by Vabra (Berkeley Medevices Inc., Berkeley, CA) aspiration. RESULTS: Among the women with diabetes, 6.3% preinvasive lesions of the endometrium were found. This is significantly more than the rate among women with hypertension, which was 1.3% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Regular mass screening programs for the early detection of EC should be directed at asymptomatic diabetic women 45 years of age or older. This study does not indicate that similar screenings would be effective for women with hypertension.