Home Life Style Tobacco is a risk factor for ovarian cancer, according to epidemiological studies

Tobacco is a risk factor for ovarian cancer, according to epidemiological studies

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Tobacco is a risk factor for ovarian cancer, according to epidemiological studies

According to epidemiological studies conducted by researchers at Curtin University’s School of Public Health, smoking is a risk factor for ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in women worldwide. Ovarian cancer occurs usually by less specific symptoms (pain, bloating, frequent urination) and has a poor prognosis. Ovarian cancer risk increases with age and decreases with the number of pregnancies. According to studies, the five-year survival in women with ovarian cancer is 40%. Among causes of cancer of the ovary, hereditary mutations play an important role. It is known that heritable genetic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are also involved in breast cancer, increases the risk of ovarian cancer. Also, mutations in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer genes increase the risk of this type of cancer. In terms of protective factors, it seems that hormonal contraception, breastfeeding, multiparity decrease the risk. Even Professor Binns said that weight loss (for obese women), exercise, green tea, fruits and vegetables and breastfeeding may protect against ovarian cancer.

Cigarette

Cigarette

Regarding smoking, there has not been established so far that it is a risk factor for ovarian cancer. Prof Colin Binns, who took part as member of the Collaborative Group on Epidemiological Studies of Ovarian Cancer, said that so far the link between smoking and ovarian cancer was weak. Studies that highlighted the connection between tobacco and cancer of the ovary appeared only in 2009. But now epidemiological studies conducted by Curtin University’s School of Public Health, have demonstrated a clear link between smoking and a particular type of ovarian cancer: mucinoid tumors.

Researchers analyzed 28,114  ovarian cancer women and 94,942 women without cancer. They took into account several socio-demographic and personal factors such as body weight, alcohol consumption, hormone therapy and others. However, Prof Binns added that other studies are needed to explain how smoking affects ovarian cancer and especially mucinoid tumors. He also pointed out that the best advice would be for women to quit smoking. What is interesting is that so far the association between smoking and ovarian cancer was demonstrated especially in borderline tumors, and not malignant. It should be noted that mucinoid tumors represent about 15% of all ovarian cancers and are tumors that can reach impressive dimensions, that is a few pounds. These tumors are of several types: benign, borderline and malignant. As their name implies, mucinoid tumors are filled with a mucus-like material and have a better prognosis if no metastases are present.