CNN.com: Women With Endometriosis Face Fourfold Higher Risk of Ovarian Cancer, Study Suggests
CNN.com recently interviewed BJ Rimel, MD, medical director of the Cancer Clinical Trials Office at Cedars-Sinai Cancer, about a new study that found a significant increase in ovarian cancer risk among women who have certain forms of endometriosis.
Investigators found ovarian cancer risk quadrupled in women with endometriosis, a painful condition that occurs when tissue similar to that of the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Among those with severe subtypes of the condition, ovarian cancer risk was found to be more than nine times greater.
Rimel, who was not involved with the study, told CNN.com people with endometriosis should know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, which include bloating, abdominal pain and changes in bowel or bladder habits.
“If a person has endometriosis and oral contraceptive pills have been recommended by their doctor for either treatment or for just plain old contraception, then I would definitely consider taking them,” said Rimel, associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai. “Oral contraceptive pills are associated with a 50 percent risk reduction of ovarian cancer, which is great news.”
Rimel told CNN.com more research is needed to better understand the link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer.
“There are several proposed mechanisms, but none are completely proven,” she said. “Some mutations in genes such as ARID1A are associated with endometriosis and endometrial cancer, which may link the two.”
Experts noted ovarian cancer is a rare disease and patients with endometriosis should not panic, but rather, maintain a healthy lifestyle and speak with their doctor about other ways to lower cancer risk.
Click here to read the complete article from CNN.com.