What type of cancer is a 50-year-old female with nulliparity and obesity at an increased risk of developing?

• A. Ovarian cancer
• B. Cervical cancer
• C. Endometrial cancer
• D. Breast cancer

Answer: (C)

A 50-year-old female who is nulliparous (having never given birth) and obese is at an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. This association is primarily linked to the hormonal changes that accompany obesity, particularly the higher levels of estrogen produced by fat tissue.

In premenopausal women, the ovaries primarily produce estrogen, but once they reach menopause, estrogen levels decrease significantly. In obese individuals, adipose tissue can convert androgens into estrogens, leading to increased circulating estrogen levels. This hormonal environment contributes to the risk for endometrial hyperplasia, a precancerous condition that can progress to endometrial carcinoma.

Nulliparity also plays a significant role because pregnancy and childbirth are protective factors against endometrial cancer. This is believed to be due to hormonal changes during pregnancy that reduce the cumulative exposure of the endometrium to estrogen. Thus, for a woman who is both nulliparous and obese, these factors synergistically increase her risk of developing endometrial cancer compared to other types of cancers.