A recent study showed that patients with endometrial cancer face significant physical and emotional challenges, with those experiencing treatment delays reporting a much higher burden of sleep impairment and lower social wellness.
The research, based on data from the Cancer Experience Registry, emphasizes that structural barriers, such as financial constraints and rigid work schedules, often prevent women from receiving timely care.
Endometrial cancer is currently the fourth most common cancer among women in the United States. While research investments have increased, both the number of new cases and the mortality rates continue to rise, making it crucial to understand the patient experience beyond just medical treatment.
The findings, published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, analyzed survey responses from 98 adults with endometrial cancer between November 2021 and August 2025.
The participants, with a mean age of 66, were primarily Non-Hispanic White (78%), followed by Non-Hispanic Black or African American (11%), and 11% from multiple or other racial backgrounds.
On average, it had been four years since their initial diagnosis, with over one-third of the group still actively receiving treatment at the time of the study. These patients reported on their daily symptoms and the specific obstacles they faced throughout their cancer journey.
According to the results, roughly one-third of patients experienced significant impairment in each of the following areas: physical function (33%), fatigue (30%), and pain (29%).
Mental health and social challenges were also prominent among the participants. Moderate to severe anxiety was reported by 27% of patients, while some experienced difficulties with social activities (17%), sleep (16%), and depression (13%). A smaller group of 5% reported cognitive struggles.
In their survey responses, patients reported several key obstacles to receiving timely treatment. Approximately 28% of participants reported facing such barriers, citing a lack of insurance coverage or difficulty with payments (24%), a general lack of time (24%), and the inability to take time off work (16%) as the primary reasons for delays.
“Integrating psychosocial support and improving care navigation may reduce disparities and improve quality of life,” the authors concluded. Future studies should focus on identifying what can be changed in the healthcare system to ensure that all women have fair and equal access to the care they need.
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