Obesity may Increase the Risk of Ovarian Cancer

First Posted: Mar 11, 2014 10:54 PM EDT
Close

A recent study shows that obesity may be linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

This report included 25 population-based studies that collected information on weight, diet, physical activity and ovarian cancer risk for participants involved.

"We estimated a 6 percent increase in [ovarian cancer] risk per five [points] increase in body-mass index," said report author Dr. Elisa Bandera, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, in New Brunswick, via a press release.

Researchers found that women with a BMI over 30, which classified them as obese, where at the highest risk of developing ovarian cancer. Those with a BMI over 25 were considered overweight, but at a lesser risk. However, findings also showed that those who were overweight or obese and taller were at the highest risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

"What this means for cancer prevention is that prevention efforts need to target the life course, not just adulthood, and families, not just individuals," Bandera said according to WebMD. "Because we also have evidence linking obesity to other cancers and other chronic diseases, maintenance of healthy weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise is a safe bet to live a healthy life."

The American Cancer Society estimates that ovarian cancer afflicts around 22,400 American women with more than 14,000 of them dying from the illness. Various risk factors, including weight, may play a role in the development of the disease.

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be found via the the American Institute for Cancer Research and theWorld Cancer Research Fund.

See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone

©2017 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics