Physical Activity, Nutrition and Hormone Levels of Postmenopausal Women With and Without Endometrial Cancer [40R

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This prospective study evaluated anthropometric data, reported physical activity, nutrition, and hormone levels between postmenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial cancer and benign disease. METHODS: After IRB approval, participants completed questionnaires on physical activity, nutrition, menstrual history and hormone use, and provided preoperative blood samples. RESULTS: Of the 77 participants, mean age was 64.5 years, mean BMI was 35.0 kg/m2, and 80.5% had endometrial cancer. Few women (20.8%) achieved recommended weekly exercise and 47.2% did not exercise. Only 44.9% of women ate recommended servings of fruits and vegetables and 55.6% ate fast food weekly. Comparing women with and without cancer, a trend towards higher BMI (36.0 vs 31.1 kg/m2, P=.071) was noted but no significant differences with regard to gravidity, exercise, nutrition, glucose or hormone levels except that estradiol level was significantly lower in women with cancer (45.2 vs 53.8 pg/mL, P=.041). Obese women were significantly less likely to rate their health as excellent/very good (28.6% vs 56.5%, P=.022) and had statistically significant lower FSH (P=.021) and SHBG (P<0.001) but higher C-peptide (P=.019) compared to lean patients. Women were divided into 4 groups (obese or lean with and without cancer) with significant differences found in age (lean women with cancer were older, P=.006), FSH (obese women with cancer had lower levels, P=.012), SHBG (highest in lean women without cancer, P=.02) but not estradiol, androstenedione, C-peptide or diet/exercise. CONCLUSION: Estradiol levels in postmenopausal women with cancer were lower than benign patients and did not correlate with obesity or other diet/exercise habits.