by Sarah Long

Endometrial cancer is the most common female reproductive cancer, so why don’t we hear more about it?

The world lost the amazing, glass ceiling-shattering Gwen Ifill on Monday, less than a year after the PBS NewsHour co-anchor was diagnosed with cancer, according to CNN Money.

Ifill reportedly died from complications due to endometrial cancer, which is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society — yet we don’t often hear about the illness.

The American Cancer Society also projects about 60,050 new cases of cancer of the body of the uterus will be diagnosed in 2016 alone, so it’s important for women to educate themselves about the affliction. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What is endometrial cancer?

Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the tissue lining the uterus (also known as the endometrium), according to Womenshealth.gov. You might have also heard of uterine sarcomas — which occur when cancer grows in the muscles or other supporting tissues in the uterus — but uterine sarcomas are not the same thing as endometrial cancer and account for only a small portion of cancers of the uterus.

2. Postmenopausal women are at a higher risk

The American Cancer Society says endometrial cancer affects mainly postmenopausal women — the average age of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer is 60 — and it is uncommon in women under the age of 45.

It is slightly more common in white women, but black women are more likely to die from it.

3. But there are other risk factors

While menopausal and postmenopausal women are the demographic most often diagnosed with endometrial cancer, there are many other risk factors involved. It’s also important to note that women who do not fall into any of the risk categories have also been diagnosed with uterine cancers.

These are all of the major risk factors for uterine cancer, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health:

• Being older than 50 years of age
• Having endometrial hyperplasia — an increase in the number of cells in the lining of the uterus
• Using estrogen without progesterone
• Being obese or having related conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Using tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast cancer
• Having an inherited form of colorectal cancer
• Having a history of endometrial polyps or other benign growths of the uterine lining
• Never being pregnant or being infertile
• Starting menstruation before age 12
• Starting menopause after age 50

4. Vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom

Womenshealth.gov and the Illinois Department of Public Health both agree that abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of uterine cancer. Bleeding may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow that gradually contains more blood.

5. Never pass off bleeding as a normal part of menopause

Women should not assume that abnormal vaginal bleeding is part of menopause, says Womenshealth.gov. If you have abnormal vaginal bleeding after menopause, talk with your health care provider as soon as possible.

6. Other symptoms to be aware of

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a woman should see her doctor if she has any of the following symptoms:

• Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation, most commonly postmenopausal bleeding
• Thin white or clear vaginal discharge after menopause
• Extremely long, heavy or frequent episodes of vaginal bleeding after age 40
• Difficult or painful urination
• Pain during intercourse
• Pain in the pelvic area