Public awareness and provider counseling regarding postmenopausal bleeding as a symptom of endometrial cancer

Abstract

Objectives: Our study aims to understand public knowledge of postmenopausal bleeding as an endometrial cancer symptom and how past provider counseling on postmenopausal bleeding affects knowledge and care-seeking behaviors related to postmenopausal bleeding.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study of people assigned female at birth. Study participants were recruited at a university research facility located at the Minnesota State Fair in September 2021. Participants answered questions about demographics, endometrial cancer knowledge, whether they had received counseling about postmenopausal bleeding, and whether and when they would present for care after experiencing postmenopausal bleeding.

Results: Six hundred forty-eight surveys were completed and included in analyses. Sixty-three percent of participants identified postmenopausal bleeding as a symptom of endometrial cancer. Those who correctly selected this symptom were more likely to be born in the United States, have a college education or higher, and have private insurance. Of the 145 postmenopausal participants, 46.5% reported that their provider counseled them on postmenopausal bleeding. Fifty-nine percent of the postmenopausal participants reported that they would tell their provider if they had postmenopausal bleeding after only one episode.

Conclusions: There is a need for increased recognition of postmenopausal bleeding and provider counseling on postmenopausal bleeding, and educational interventions should focus on public and provider awareness of endometrial cancer risks and symptoms.

FIG. 1.

Rate of answers to survey question: “Does your provider ask or talk to you about postmenopausal bleeding? By type of healthcare provider visited in the last 5 years for postmenopausal participants who had not had postmenopausal bleeding and had seen a primary care provider and/or an Ob-Gyn in the past 5 years, P = 0.052. Ob-Gyn, obstetrician-gynecologist.

FIG. 2.

Rate of answers to the survey question: “If you had vaginal bleeding after menopause, would you tell your doctor? When?” Postmenopausal participants by whether participants reported they had received counseling regarding postmenopausal bleeding, P = 0.825.