Body Mass Index & The Risk Of Ovarian Cancer

Recognizing symptoms of ovarian cancer can be a challenge, and so is understanding your risks for developing the disease. Researchers have linked some forms of cancer to being overweight and obese -- and if you're uncertain about whether you fit one of those categories, you can check a body mass index chart. But according to the National Cancer Institute, it's not yet clear whether a woman's weight can put her at risk for ovarian cancer.

Obesity and Cancer

Maintaining a body mass index in the normal range can limit your risk for developing many cancers, the National Cancer Institute advises. Obesity is linked to development of breast cancer after menopause, as well as cancers of the colon, endometrium, kidney and esophagus. The NCI reports that some studies also have found links between obesity and cancers of the gallbladder, ovaries and pancreas. A 2003 study tied an estimated 14 percent of men's cancer deaths and 20 percent of women's to being overweight and obese.

Possible Reasons

How does obesity promote cancer? The National Cancer Institute says researchers are still trying to pinpoint the cause-and-effect processes involved. According to the American Cancer Society, excess body fat may play a role in cancer development by affecting fat and sugar processing, the immune system, levels of hormones such as insulin and estrogen, factors involved in cell division, proteins that affect the body's use of certain hormones, and development of inflammation.

Research on Risk

A large study published in January 2009 found that among women who had not used hormone replacement therapy during menopause, obese women had an almost 80 percent greater risk for developing ovarian cancer. The seven-year National Cancer Institute Study involved 94,525 women ages 50 to 71. Researchers theorized that excess weight increased estrogen, which then stimulated growth of ovary cells. Another report cited by the NCI found no increased risk among older obese women, but an increased risk among those who were obese as adolescents or young adults.

Other Risk Factors

The American Cancer Society urges women to be aware of obesity as a possible risk factor for ovarian cancer, as well as other factors and possible symptoms. Increased awareness could lead to earlier diagnosis and a better chance for survival. Risk factors include age -- being past menopause -- and having a close relative with the disease. Having breast cancer and using fertility drugs or estrogen therapy are other risk factors, according to the ACS. As for symptoms, those most linked with ovarian cancer are bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, having trouble eating or feeling full quickly, and having to urinate frequently or with urgency.

Recommendations

While cancer experts are not unanimous about the possible link between body mass index and ovarian cancer, they do urge people to limit their overall cancer risk by watching their weight. The American Institute for Cancer Research said in a November 2009 report that more than 100,000 cancers are related to excess body fat each year. Cut your risk with a healthy diet and regular exercise, the American Cancer Society advises. A lower BMI also improves your chances of survival if you do develop cancer, according to the ACS.