Today, I will explore the relationship between “the pill” and ovarian cancer.
Do oral contraceptives raise the risk of a woman developing ovarian cancer? Lower it? Not significantly change the risk?
What is your guess?
Today, I want to share the results of a large United Kingdom study that analyzed a massive amount of data, discovering this:
Oral contraceptive use and a higher number of live births were associated with a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Did you get the answer right?
I will briefly review ovarian cancer before pivoting to the new study findings.
Ovarian Cancer Basics
Ovarian cancer is a cancer type that begins in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce eggs and hormones.
There are several types of ovarian cancer. The most common type is epithelial ovarian cancer, which develops from the cells that line the surface of the ovary.
Ovarian cancer often goes undetected in its early stages, as symptoms can be vague and easily mistaken for other conditions.
Ovarian cancer symptoms may include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly when eating, changes in bowel habits, and fatigue.
You may not be surprised that — because these symptoms are so general — ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage.
A late presentation can render the cancer more challenging to treat, leading to a lower survival rate compared to some other cancers.
Early Detection is Critical
Catching ovarian cancer early significantly improves the chances of successful treatment.
Unfortunately, there’s no single, reliable screening test for ovarian cancer in women at average risk.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
- Age is a significant factor, with the risk increasing as women get older and the disease being most common in older adults.
- Inherited gene changes, particularly in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Such mutations increase breast (and other) cancer risk. They can play a role in a small percentage of cases. Other gene mutations associated with Lynch syndrome, BRIP1, RAD51C, and RAD51D can also elevate risk.
- A family history of ovarian cancer is another important risk factor.
- Lifestyle factors like being overweight or obese, as well as using postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, can also increase risk.
- Medical conditions such as endometriosis are linked to a higher risk.
- Reproductive history plays a role; starting menstruation at an early age, beginning menopause at a later age, or never having been pregnant can all increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
If you’re worried about your risk, talk to your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your risk profile and suggest appropriate screening strategies or preventative measures.
Researchers are trying to develop more effective early-detection methods and improve treatment options for ovarian cancer.
A New UK Biobank Study
A large UK study using machine learning has uncovered potential avenues for reducing ovarian cancer risk.
Analyzing data from over 220,000 women in the UK Biobank, researchers discovered a link between both oral contraceptive use and a greater number of live births and a decreased risk of the disease.
Study Results
Published in The International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, the study investigated nearly 3,000 factors and, after a median follow-up period exceeding 12 years, pinpointed 87 key predictors of ovarian cancer risk.
Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze ovarian cancer risk factors.
The investigators found that having more children and ever using birth control pills were linked to a lower ovarian cancer risk.
Women who had ever used the pill saw a quarter (26 percent) reduction in risk, and for those who used it after age 45, the reduction was even greater, at 43 percent.
Remember that the absolute risk for those at average risk is relatively low. The US National Cancer Institute offers this statistic:
About 1.1 percent of women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer at some point during their lifetime.
Other Factors Linked to Ovarian Cancer
The study also identified several biomarkers of ovarian cancer risk, including certain characteristics of red blood cells and some liver enzymes.
Lower body weight and shorter height were associated with a decreased risk.
Additionally, women who had two or more children had a 39 percent lower risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to women who had never given birth.
Action
These findings suggest that ovarian cancer risk may be modifiable and that the possibility of early detection through blood tests could be on the horizon.
Potentially changeable risk factors include:
- Weight reduction
- Reducing the number of ovulations
The researchers also identified blood biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer years before diagnosis.
Promising, indeed.
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