Women diagnosed with endometriosis may have a “markedly increased” risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to women without the disease, according to a study published Wednesday in the JAMA Network, following years of speculation about whether the two diseases are linked.
Key Facts
- Endometriosis, a disease causing tissue from inside the uterus to grow outside of the uterus, is associated with a four-times higher risk of ovarian cancer and a seven-times higher risk of developing a mild form of the cancer, according to the study, which analysed health data on nearly 500,000 women in Utah age 18 to 55.
- Women who have severe forms of endometriosis have a 9.7 times higher risk, researchers suggested.
- The risks have likely been underestimated because the data did not include whether the women were using oral contraceptives like birth control, which researchers said has been linked with a lower risk of ovarian cancer.
- Additional prevention studies are necessary to better determine the link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer, researchers said, adding women with endometriosis could be an “important population” for cancer screening.
Related
190 million. That’s how many women are affected by endometriosis globally, though that number is likely higher because access to diagnosis is limited in low-income regions, according to the World Health Organisation.
The disease can result in infertility or “severe, life-impacting” pain during periods, in addition to chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating and fatigue, the organisation said. The cause of endometriosis is unknown and there is no cure, though some treatments like hormonal medicines are often prescribed to mitigate pain.
Key Background
Researchers have studied a possible link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer for years. In 2017, a study found up to 19% of cases of a form of ovarian cancer were associated with endometriosis, including an increased risk among younger women. Another study in 2020 indicated endometriosis was associated with a higher risk of ovarian and thyroid cancers, in addition to a minimal risk of breast and cervical cancer.
Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia released a study in 2022 suggesting endometriosis and ovarian cancer were genetically linked, meaning women who have the disease could also have “genetic markers” for developing ovarian cancer.
This article was originally published on forbes.com.
Are you – or is someone you know -creating the next Afterpay or Canva? Nominations are open for Forbes Australia’s first 30 under 30 list. Entries close midnight, July 31, 2024.
Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world. Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here or become a member here.
