Dietary and lifestyle quality and endometrial cancer: Incidence and survivorship outcomes-An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

In 30 seconds

This umbrella review of 21 systematic reviews, including meta-analyses, assessed composite diet and lifestyle quality in relation to endometrial cancer (EC) risk and survivorship outcomes. A Mediterranean dietary pattern was associated with lower EC odds (pooled OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-0.98; class IV), while Western dietary patterns were associated with higher odds. A combined healthy diet and lifestyle approach was associated with lower incidence, but heterogeneity was high. Evidence for recurrence, survival, mortality, cardiometabolic outcomes, and quality of life after diagnosis was limited or non-significant.

Key findings

• Mediterranean diet adherence was associated with 29% lower odds of EC (pooled OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-0.98; class IV).
• Western dietary patterns were associated with 20% higher odds of EC (pooled OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.03-1.39; class IV).
• A combined healthy diet and lifestyle approach was associated with a 46% lower hazard of EC incidence (pooled HR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.42-0.71; class III), with high heterogeneity.
• Lifestyle interventions showed no significant association with global or domain-specific quality of life across follow-up durations ranging from 9 weeks to 12 months.

Why it matters

The review synthesises evidence across multiple dietary and lifestyle behaviours, suggesting that healthier patterns may be associated with lower EC incidence. However, the evidence grades are suggestive, and findings for outcomes after diagnosis remain sparse or non-significant. This distinction is important when interpreting prevention associations and considering what is known about survivorship.

What to keep in mind

The review reports high heterogeneity for the combined diet and lifestyle association, and the evidence for several post-diagnosis outcomes was limited. The incidence associations were graded class III-IV.