HomeLifestyleHealth & FitnessDisease hounds one in every nine women linked to ovarian cancer

Disease hounds one in every nine women linked to ovarian cancer

Published on

Endometriosis is a debilitating condition that affects the lives of many women. A genetic link has now been found between the disease and ovarian cancer.

A recent study showed a strong genetic connection between endometriosis and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Despite this discouraging news, identifying a relationship between the diseases may improve the prospects of finding treatments for many women.

Endometriosis is a gynecological estrogen-dependent inflammatory condition in which cells from the uterine lining, the tissue that protects the uterus from the inside, grow in places other than the uterus, such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or other parts of the abdomen and pelvis (literally, “endo” means face and “matrium” means uterus). They can sometimes spread to other parts of the body.

Endometriosis has a wide range of symptoms, including severe pain in the pelvis and uterus during menstruation, pain during intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, fertility issues, tiredness, depression, and more. It’s also a disease that goes undiagnosed. In reality, it takes an average of seven years for a woman to be diagnosed with endometriosis, because many male doctors dismiss most claims and attribute them to hormones and moods, although endometriosis is a serious and severe disease.

This negligence may not only cause significant pelvic discomfort and infertility in women, but it may also put their lives in jeopardy, according to new data indicating women with endometriosis have a slightly higher risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. However, a new study published in Cell Reports Medicine suggests that this link could be exploited to benefit those who suffer from both disorders.

However, despite its low risk of serious complications, the article points out that it “shares features with cancer, including metastatic-like behavior, tissue invasion, proliferation, angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), and decreased apoptosis,” or cell death that occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism’s growth or development.

The authors genotyped 25,000 ovarian cancer patients and 15,000 endometriosis patients. They were able to explore for common traits in both groups thanks to the high sample size.

According to the editor-in-chief Dr. Sally Mortlock: “Our study shows that women who carry certain genetic markers that cause a tendency to develop endometriosis also have a higher risk of certain subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer.”

Instead of a single shared gene, the researchers discovered 28 sites in the human genome linked to the two disorders, with 19 of them sharing a common ancestor. The discovery of those genes presents a new set of targets for researchers, either through gene therapy or by discovering the proteins encoded by the genes. Knowing that one out of every nine women with endometriosis is also at risk for ovarian cancer can be stressful. However, Mortlock points out that the increased risk only applies to particular types of ovarian cancer, such as clear cell and endometrial cancer, and that the risk is minor.

Mortlock added: “Overall, studies have estimated that 1 in 76 women are at risk for developing ovarian cancer during their lifetime and endometriosis raises it slightly to 1 in 55, so the overall risk is still very low.”

A very weak link was also discovered with the most frequent type of ovarian cancer.

As a result, the findings may be more meaningful for the research implications than for an individual’s specific risk level. However, if the cancer connection message is accepted, this could be one method to urge doctors to consider patients seriously when they describe endometriosis symptoms, which would be significant.

Image Credit: Getty

You were reading: Disease hounds one in every nine women linked to ovarian cancer

Latest articles

Here’s How and When Mount Everest-sized ‘Devil Comet’ Can Be Seen With Naked Eye

Mount Everest sized Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as "devil comet" which is making its...

Something Fascinating Happened When a Giant Quantum Vortex was Created in Superfluid Helium

Scientists created a giant swirling vortex within superfluid helium that is chilled to the...

The Science of Middle-aged Brain and the Best Thing You Can Do to Keep it Healthy, Revealed

Middle age: It is an important period in brain aging, characterized by unique biological...

Science Shock: Salmon’s Food Choices Better at Reducing Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

Salmon: Rich in Health Benefits, Yet May Offer Less Nutritional Value - This is...

More like this

Here’s How and When Mount Everest-sized ‘Devil Comet’ Can Be Seen With Naked Eye

Mount Everest sized Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, also known as "devil comet" which is making its...

Something Fascinating Happened When a Giant Quantum Vortex was Created in Superfluid Helium

Scientists created a giant swirling vortex within superfluid helium that is chilled to the...

The Science of Middle-aged Brain and the Best Thing You Can Do to Keep it Healthy, Revealed

Middle age: It is an important period in brain aging, characterized by unique biological...