Risk factors of ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer can occur at any age, but it is more frequent in women who cross the age of 50 years. The incidence of the disease increases gradually with age and tend to declines after the age of 80 years. Although no definitive causes for the ovarian cancer have been established, but some factors may put some women at higher risk for the disease, these include;
(a) Genetic factor (Family history): Having the family or personal history of ovarian, breast or colon cancer is the most significant risk factor for development of ovarian cancer. About 10 % of the ovarian cancer cases are hereditary, usually due to mutations in one of two genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. The risk for the development of ovarian cancer increases in women who inherit a mutation in one of these genes, although, having these mutations only increases the risk for the disease, but it does not guarantee that a woman who has the gene will definitely have the ovarian cancer. Women can inherit risk from their parent particularly if the first degree relative has or has had breast, ovarian or colon cancer. Similarly, Women who had a breast cancer before the age of 50 are twice as likely to have ovarian cancer as women who have not. However, the ovarian cancer has also been linked to colon cancer via different genes.
(b) Nulliparity (No children): Pregnancy tend to reduce the risk for the ovarian cancer, this is because ovulation process stop once a woman conceived. Therefore, women who do not bear children appear to be at higher risk of ovarian cancer. Also woman who have had problem conceptions are also at an increase risk of the disease.
(c) Age: Although ovarian cancer can strike woman at any age, but the prevalence of the disease increases significantly after the age of 50, peaking between the ages of 55 to 65 and tend to declines after the age of 80 years. Nearly, about half of the ovarian cancer occurs at or after the age of 65, and most women develop the disease after menopause. This is in accordance with the life, as older a woman gets, the more times she has gone through the cycle of ovulation.
(d) Endometriosis: Is a chronic, progressive disease that develops when the tissue lining the inner surface of the uterus begins to grow outside the uterusuterine cavity. It grows mostly toward structures in the pelvic area and in the entire female reproductive system. Though, it can appear in other areas as well. There is 50% higher risk for ovarian cancer for women with this disease. Studies have shown that, about half percent of the women diagnosed with endometriosis are as well infertile.
(e) Menarche: Women who start their periods early in the life usually before age of 12 are at higher risk for ovarian cancer. This is due to the fact that, they will go through several circle of ovulation before their menopause.
(f) Late menopause: Theaverage age for natural menopause for most women range between 45 to 50 years. This can vary from one individual to another and from one region to another. Therefore, women who go through menopause late in life after the age of 52 appear to be at higher risk for ovarian cancer. This is as a result of repetitive ovulation theory.
(g) Environmental factor: While, exposure to industrial by-product and radiation has not been proved to be related to ovarian cancer, but migration of chemicals and environmental pollutants to the peritoneal cavity and reproductive organs may account for the exposure of the ovaries to carcinogens (cancer causing agents). Therefore, exposure to talc, which in its natural form contains asbestos (a known carcinogens) have been link to slightly increase in ovarian cancer. Studies suggest that talc product may affect the outer layer of ovaries when applied directly to the genital area or indirectly through sanitary napkins, diaphragm or condoms. But still there are some controversial reports about the research, some results are mixed. Therefore, experts recommend that women consider avoiding talc product until more conclusive result is available.
Similarly, studies have shown that, women who live in industrial areas are at higher risk for the ovarian cancer than women in other part of the world. This may be correlated with these women dietary habits, as obesity has been found to be linked with a slight increase in risk.
(a) Genetic factor (Family history): Having the family or personal history of ovarian, breast or colon cancer is the most significant risk factor for development of ovarian cancer. About 10 % of the ovarian cancer cases are hereditary, usually due to mutations in one of two genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. The risk for the development of ovarian cancer increases in women who inherit a mutation in one of these genes, although, having these mutations only increases the risk for the disease, but it does not guarantee that a woman who has the gene will definitely have the ovarian cancer. Women can inherit risk from their parent particularly if the first degree relative has or has had breast, ovarian or colon cancer. Similarly, Women who had a breast cancer before the age of 50 are twice as likely to have ovarian cancer as women who have not. However, the ovarian cancer has also been linked to colon cancer via different genes.
(b) Nulliparity (No children): Pregnancy tend to reduce the risk for the ovarian cancer, this is because ovulation process stop once a woman conceived. Therefore, women who do not bear children appear to be at higher risk of ovarian cancer. Also woman who have had problem conceptions are also at an increase risk of the disease.
(c) Age: Although ovarian cancer can strike woman at any age, but the prevalence of the disease increases significantly after the age of 50, peaking between the ages of 55 to 65 and tend to declines after the age of 80 years. Nearly, about half of the ovarian cancer occurs at or after the age of 65, and most women develop the disease after menopause. This is in accordance with the life, as older a woman gets, the more times she has gone through the cycle of ovulation.
(d) Endometriosis: Is a chronic, progressive disease that develops when the tissue lining the inner surface of the uterus begins to grow outside the uterusuterine cavity. It grows mostly toward structures in the pelvic area and in the entire female reproductive system. Though, it can appear in other areas as well. There is 50% higher risk for ovarian cancer for women with this disease. Studies have shown that, about half percent of the women diagnosed with endometriosis are as well infertile.
(e) Menarche: Women who start their periods early in the life usually before age of 12 are at higher risk for ovarian cancer. This is due to the fact that, they will go through several circle of ovulation before their menopause.
(f) Late menopause: Theaverage age for natural menopause for most women range between 45 to 50 years. This can vary from one individual to another and from one region to another. Therefore, women who go through menopause late in life after the age of 52 appear to be at higher risk for ovarian cancer. This is as a result of repetitive ovulation theory.
(g) Environmental factor: While, exposure to industrial by-product and radiation has not been proved to be related to ovarian cancer, but migration of chemicals and environmental pollutants to the peritoneal cavity and reproductive organs may account for the exposure of the ovaries to carcinogens (cancer causing agents). Therefore, exposure to talc, which in its natural form contains asbestos (a known carcinogens) have been link to slightly increase in ovarian cancer. Studies suggest that talc product may affect the outer layer of ovaries when applied directly to the genital area or indirectly through sanitary napkins, diaphragm or condoms. But still there are some controversial reports about the research, some results are mixed. Therefore, experts recommend that women consider avoiding talc product until more conclusive result is available.
Similarly, studies have shown that, women who live in industrial areas are at higher risk for the ovarian cancer than women in other part of the world. This may be correlated with these women dietary habits, as obesity has been found to be linked with a slight increase in risk.
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(Copyright © 2011 by U. Bala)
(Copyright © 2011 by U. Bala)