Irregular Periods Increases Death Risk From Ovarian Cancer In later years: Study

Women who have irregular periods are twice likely to die from ovarian cancer in later years, according to a study.

A research led by the Barbara A. Cohn, director of the Child Health and Development Studies at the public Health Institute in Berkeley, California found erratic menstrual cycle increases the risk of ovarian cancer in women having a family history of the disease. Experts used data from a study conducted between 1957 and 1967 involving 15,000 pregnant women to note health risks caused during pregnancy. Nearly, 14,403 participants reportedly had single birth and researchers kept a tab on the health records and self reported data of their menstrual problems and irregular cycle. In addition, they recorded other variables like age, weight, intake of contraceptives and fertility drugs and ethnicity of the participants.

It was found that 13 percent of the participants complained about irregular periods when they were aged approximately 26 years and about 64 of these women succumbed to ovarian cancer when aged 69. The findings also revealed the disease risk elevated in women with erratic periods when they reached mid sixties.

Cohn said in the press release, "In this large, prospective study, we found that those who had irregular menstrual cycles had a 2.4-fold increased risk of death due to ovarian cancer. Our study finding could lead to better understanding of the 90 percent of ovarian cancers that occur in women with no family history of ovarian cancer and with no known high-risk inherited mutations."

The authors identified infrequent menstrual cycles also increased the chances of developing other serious forms of reproductive cancers and uterine cancer by three and four times, respectively. Furthermore, they found conditions like inconsistent or longer cycles and less frequent ovulation or anovulation that are indicative of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can heighten the risk of ovarian cancer.

According to the data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year about 20,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Although, it accounts for only 3 percent of all cancers, it is the leading cause of death than any other forms of female reproductive cancer.

 Cohn added, "Unfortunately, there is no reliable method for early diagnosis or screening, and symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating often do not come to a woman's attention until the cancer has spread. This information may help earlier diagnosis and perhaps lead to a strategy to prevent ovarian cancer by pointing toward how the cancer develops and spreads."

The research will be presented at the annual meet of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Diego.