Based on PubMed | Does eating eggs increase the risk of endometrial cancer?

Eating eggs has not been shown to independently increase endometrial (uterine) cancer risk in high‑quality prospective research, and current evidence does not support avoiding eggs specifically to prevent this cancer. Most established risk comes from factors that raise lifetime estrogen exposure such as obesity, older age, late menopause, never having been pregnant, and certain hormone therapies rather than from single foods like eggs. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

What the evidence shows

• Prospective cohort data: In a large cohort of postmenopausal women, overall intake of animal foods showed no statistically significant association with endometrial cancer over seven years of follow‑up. Importantly, the study did not identify eggs as a specific risk driver; if anything, the only food group with a notable signal was higher intake of processed meat and fish (about 50% higher risk in the top tertile), not eggs. ^[5]

• Dietary patterns: Case‑control analyses suggest that “Western-type” or animal‑product–heavy dietary patterns may be associated with higher endometrial cancer risk, particularly among individuals with obesity; however, these patterns bundle many foods and lifestyle factors together and do not isolate eggs as an independent cause. Such designs are also more prone to recall bias than prospective studies. ^[6]

• Nutrients linked to risk: Some studies noted a modest association between higher dietary cholesterol and greater endometrial cancer risk, but this does not establish that eggs themselves cause the risk, since cholesterol comes from many animal foods and overall diet quality and body weight often co‑vary. These findings were not consistently observed across prospective datasets. ^[7]

• Overall diet quality: A population-based study assessing adherence to broad dietary guidelines (including components that group meat, eggs, poultry, fish, and beans together) did not find clear, strong associations with endometrial cancer risk, and there was little evidence implicating any one animal food. ^[8]

How eggs fit into the bigger picture

• Mechanisms center on hormones: Endometrial cancer risk is most strongly tied to unopposed estrogen exposure in the uterine lining. Factors such as excess body fat (which converts androgens to estrogens), later menopause, and specific medications like tamoxifen are more influential than single foods. Maintaining a healthy weight and activity level is among the most impactful ways to reduce risk. ^{[2] [1] [3]}

• Diet patterns matter more than single foods: In prospective data, higher energy from plant foods was suggestively linked to lower risk, while higher intake of processed meats showed a signal for higher risk; however, eggs per se were not identified as a unique risk factor. Focusing on an overall plant‑forward, lower‑fat pattern is more evidence‑based than eliminating eggs. ^[5]

---

Practical recommendations

• Keep weight in a healthy range and stay active. These steps can reduce endometrial cancer risk and improve hormone balance. ^{[2] [1] [3]}

• Favor a plant‑forward eating pattern: more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts; limit processed meats and excess saturated fat. ^{[5] [6]}

• Include eggs in moderation if desired: There is no strong evidence that moderate egg intake independently increases endometrial cancer risk, and eggs can provide high‑quality protein and micronutrients within a balanced diet. Current signals around risk are stronger for overall dietary cholesterol and processed meats than for eggs themselves. ^{[7] [5]}

• Discuss personal risk factors: If you have obesity, a history of unopposed estrogen exposure, tamoxifen use, or hereditary syndromes (e.g., Lynch), a clinician can tailor prevention strategies that extend well beyond diet. ^{[2] [1]}

---

Quick reference: Key risk factors and diet takeaways

• Established higher‑risk factors:

  • Obesity and related hormone changes. ^[2]
  • Later menopause, older age, and never having been pregnant. ^{[1] [4]}
  • Certain hormone therapies (e.g., tamoxifen). ^[2]

• Diet insights:

  • No clear prospective signal that eggs increase risk. ^[5]
  • Processed meats showed an association in one cohort; consider limiting. ^[5]
  • Higher dietary cholesterol linked to risk in one case‑control study; interpret cautiously and focus on overall dietary pattern. ^[7]
  • Broad adherence to dietary guidelines did not show a strong link to endometrial risk. ^[8]

---

Bottom line

Based on current evidence, moderate egg consumption does not appear to independently raise endometrial cancer risk, and focusing on weight management, physical activity, and an overall plant‑forward, lower‑fat diet is more likely to reduce risk than eliminating eggs. ^{[5] [2] [1] [3]}