 |
|
2 reproductive factors are important predictors of death from ovarian cancer
July 09, 2009PHILADELPHIA - Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that survival among women with ovarian cancer is influenced by age of menarche and total number of lifetime ovulatory cycles.
This finding suggests that hormonal activity over the course of a woman's lifetime may influence the prognosis after an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Results of this study are published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Results of previous studies indicated that fewer lifetime ovulatory cycles, higher parity, oral contraceptive use, hysterectomy and tubal ligation are associated with decreased risk of developing this form of cancer, according to the researchers. However, little is known about the influence of these factors on a patient's survival after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Cheryl L. Robbins, Ph.D., an epidemiologist at the CDC, and colleagues sought to explore whether these reproductive factors influence ovarian cancer survival.
"Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality in women. It accounts for more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer," said Robbins, also a researcher on the study. "Although we have relatively good knowledge about the influence of reproductive factors on the risk of developing ovarian cancer, knowledge is rather limited regarding the reproductive factors that may influence survival after diagnosis with this serious disease."
Robbins and colleagues conducted a longitudinal analysis of 410 women, aged 20 to 54 years. All participants were previously enrolled in the 1980-1982 Cancer and Steroid Hormone (CASH) study as incident ovarian cancer cases.
After a follow-up of about 17 years, 221 women died; findings showed that overall 15-year survival among the study population was 48 percent. Lifetime ovulatory cycle and age at menarche were two factors that played a key role in predicting death from ovarian cancer.
Women with the most lifetime ovulatory cycles had poorer survival compared with those who had fewer lifetime ovulatory cycles. Robbins explained that the number of lifetime ovulatory cycles a woman has is affected by her use of oral contraceptives, pregnancy and breastfeeding, all of which temporarily cause ovulation to cease and reduces the total number of cycles.
Furthermore, the researchers determined that those with the youngest age at menarche also had poorer survival. After diagnosis of ovarian cancer, participants whose menarche began before age 12 were more likely to die compared with those whose menarche began at age 14 or older.
"We now have evidence that higher numbers of lifetime ovulatory cycles may play a role in the development of ovarian cancer as well as the risk of death after being diagnosed with the disease," Robbins concluded.
This study points to some important future directions of research for better understanding the influence of reproductive factors on ovarian cancer survival.
Mary B. Daly, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Personalized Cancer Risk Assessment Program at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, said these results raise the question "can the amount and/or duration of reproductive hormones to which women are exposed affect the aggressiveness of ovarian cancer and/or its resistance to treatment, and if so, by what mechanism?"
"The significance of this paper is in suggesting new research directions, not in any immediate treatment changes," said Daly, who is also an editorial board member for Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. "The next steps would be to study this association in a prospective study, then to characterize molecular and genetic profiles of ovarian tumors and compare these profiles among different levels of exposure to reproductive hormones."
There is a need for additional studies to examine reproductive factors in other populations, specifically among older women and those of various ethnicities, according to Robbins. Additionally, she suggested that studies examining the biologic properties of ovarian tumors among women with high lifetime ovulatory cycles may help to explain the relationship between number of ovulatory cycles and mortality.
American Association for Cancer Research
Cheryl L. Robbins, Ph.D., an epidemiologist at the CDC, and colleagues sought to explore whether these reproductive factors influence ovarian cancer survival.
"Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality in women. It accounts for more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer," said Robbins, also a researcher on the study. "Although we have relatively good knowledge about the influence of reproductive factors on the risk of developing ovarian cancer, knowledge is rather limited regarding the reproductive factors that may influence survival after diagnosis with this serious disease."
Robbins and colleagues conducted a longitudinal analysis of 410 women, aged 20 to 54 years. All participants were previously enrolled in the 1980-1982 Cancer and Steroid Hormone (CASH) study as incident ovarian cancer cases.
After a follow-up of about 17 years, 221 women died; findings showed that overall 15-year survival among the study population was 48 percent. Lifetime ovulatory cycle and age at menarche were two factors that played a key role in predicting death from ovarian cancer.
Women with the most lifetime ovulatory cycles had poorer survival compared with those who had fewer lifetime ovulatory cycles. Robbins explained that the number of lifetime ovulatory cycles a woman has is affected by her use of oral contraceptives, pregnancy and breastfeeding, all of which temporarily cause ovulation to cease and reduces the total number of cycles.
Furthermore, the researchers determined that those with the youngest age at menarche also had poorer survival. After diagnosis of ovarian cancer, participants whose menarche began before age 12 were more likely to die compared with those whose menarche began at age 14 or older.
"We now have evidence that higher numbers of lifetime ovulatory cycles may play a role in the development of ovarian cancer as well as the risk of death after being diagnosed with the disease," Robbins concluded.
This study points to some important future directions of research for better understanding the influence of reproductive factors on ovarian cancer survival.
Mary B. Daly, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Personalized Cancer Risk Assessment Program at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, said these results raise the question "can the amount and/or duration of reproductive hormones to which women are exposed affect the aggressiveness of ovarian cancer and/or its resistance to treatment, and if so, by what mechanism?"
"The significance of this paper is in suggesting new research directions, not in any immediate treatment changes," said Daly, who is also an editorial board member for Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. "The next steps would be to study this association in a prospective study, then to characterize molecular and genetic profiles of ovarian tumors and compare these profiles among different levels of exposure to reproductive hormones."
There is a need for additional studies to examine reproductive factors in other populations, specifically among older women and those of various ethnicities, according to Robbins. Additionally, she suggested that studies examining the biologic properties of ovarian tumors among women with high lifetime ovulatory cycles may help to explain the relationship between number of ovulatory cycles and mortality.
American Association for Cancer Research
Ovarian Cancer Current Events and Ovarian Cancer News RSSFDA approved leukemia drugs shows promise in ovarian cancer cells
The drug Sprycel, approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, significantly inhibited the growth and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells and also promoted their death, a study by researchers with UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found.
American Dietetic Association Releases Updated Position Paper Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding
The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on breastfeeding that details health benefits for both infants and mothers and encourages promotion of breastfeeding whenever possible.
Metals could forge new cancer drug
Drugs made using unusual metals could form an effective treatment against colon and ovarian cancer, including cancerous cells that have developed immunity to other drugs, according to research at the University of Warwick and the University of Leeds.
Breast cancer patients with high risk gene diagnosed 6 years earlier than generation before
Women with a deleterious gene mutation are diagnosed with breast cancer six years earlier than relatives of the previous generation who also had the disease and/or ovarian cancer, according to new research from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Cancer Predisposition From Gene Variant Shows Strong Gender Bias
Cancer predisposition resulting from the presence of a specific gene variant shows a strong gender bias, researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have demonstrated.
Medications Effective in Reducing Risks for Breast Cancer Can Also Cause Serious Side Effects
Three drugs that reduce a woman's chance of getting breast cancer also have been shown to cause adverse effects, according to a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Scientists from University of Hawaii at Manoa find genetic marker
A new genetic marker associated with ovarian cancer risk was recently discovered by an international research group, led by scientists from the Cancer Research Genetic Epidemiology Unit in the United Kingdom.
New treatment in sight for ovarian cancer
In the future, women with metastatic ovarian cancer could be treated with a radioactive substance that can seek and destroy tumour cells.
Young early stage ovarian cancer patients can preserve fertility
A new study finds that young women with early-stage ovarian cancer can preserve future fertility by keeping at least one ovary or the uterus without increasing the risk of dying from the disease.
Estrogen-Dependent Switch Tempers Killing Activity of Immune Cells
The sex hormone estrogen tempers the killing activity of a specific group of immune cells, the cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), which are known to attack tumor cells and cells infected by viruses.
More Ovarian Cancer Current Events and Ovarian Cancer News Articles
 |
Beating Ovarian Cancer: How To Overcome The Odds And Reclaim Your Life by Chris Bledy (Author) A diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer does not have to be a death sentence. Recent advances in medicine have made this once incurable disease treatable and manageable. You can beat advanced and even recurring, ovarian cancer. Simple but significant lifestyle changes can produce big results when it comes to healing. |
 |
Ovarian Cancer Awareness "Unite to Fight" Wristband Adult Size by sci Ovarian Cancer Awareness "Unite To Fight" Wristband adult size |
 |
Ovarian Cancer Awareness 8" Ribbon Car Magnet by sci Ovarian Cancer Awareness 8" Ribbon Car Magnet |
 |
A Guide to Survivorship for Women with Ovarian Cancer (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) by F. J. Montz MD KM FACOG FACS (Author), Robert E. Bristow MD FACOG (Author), Paula J. Anastasia RN MN OCN (Assistant) This comprehensive guide to ovarian cancer offers a wealth of information to ease the physical, emotional, and psychic suffering of women with the disease. The authors -- two Johns Hopkins gynecologic oncologists and a gynecologic-oncology clinical nurse -- put particular emphasis on the concept of "survivorship," or living life well in the face of daunting uncertainties. They stress the importance of self-determination: the right of each patient to be informed, involved, and in control of her care. Up-to-date information on diagnosis and treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, pain management, and alternative therapies, forms the core of the book. But the authors' immense clinical experience also means they understand what women worry about and care about, and... |
 |
L'Oréal Paris Color of Hope OCRF (Ovarian Cancer Research Fund) Fundraising Sterling Silver Pavé CZ Bracelet by Netaya Sterling beauty with an equally beautiful message. Its new, its exclusive and its absolutely beautiful. LOreal Paris is proud to present the Color of Hope Bracelet, a fundraising campaign, with 100% of all net profits ($5.00 per bracelet) benefiting The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). Whether viewed as a circle representing life, endurance, love or seen as an "O" for ovarian cancer, the bracelet is a simple way for women everywhere to visibly and tangibly help in the fight against one of the world's most deadly of women's cancers. The exclusive sterling silver Color of Hope bracelet features a rolo design chain with an "O" toggle clasp, adorned with pave cubic zirconias to give a beautiful brilliance. And to ensure that all women can adorn their wrists, the bracelet... |
 |
Ovarian Cancer Journeys: Survivors Share Their Stories To Help Others by Ayala Miron (Author) "All of the research has reinforced that ovarian cancer is not a silent disease as was once thought and as is shown quite eloquently in this collection of stories.... The value of this collection of stories is that it helps raise awareness about symptoms, need for patient persistence, and the importance of being treated by a gynecologic oncologist." Barbara A. Goff, MD Professor and Co-Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology University of Washington School of Medicine Women of ages 17 to 78 join to tell their true stories. Find out about the lessons they have learned along their ovarian cancer journeys; from symptoms to diagnosis, trough treatments, and survival. Ovarian cancer facts: Occurs in 1 out of 57 women 89% have symptoms at the early stages... |
 |
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Teal Ribbon Crystal Heart Necklace by CharmingChick This is a beautiful new teal ribbon heart charm necklace that is the perfect way to show your support for Ovarian Cancer Awareness. The pendant measures about 5/8 of an inch tall and is made of genuine sterling silver. It has stunning teal Swarovski Crystal embedded in the front. Box chain measures about 16 inches long. This teal ribbon necklace would make a great gift or is a wonderful way to remember a loved one with Ovarian Cancer. |
 |
100 Questions & Answers About Ovarian Cancer, Second Edition by Don S. Dizon (Author) Whether you're a newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patient, a survivor, or a friend or relative of either, this book offers help. Completely updated, the new second edition of 100 Questions & Answers About Ovarian Cancer gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, sources of support, and much more. Written by a gynecologic oncologist and a gynecologic surgeon, with actual patient commentary, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the physical and emotional turmoil of this frightening disease. |
 |
100 Pack Teal Blue Ribbon Temporary Tattoos for Ovarian Cervical Uterine Cancer Awareness by Palmetto Fundraising Show your courage and support! These teal ribbon tattoos are perfect for your next awareness event. These tattoos make great inspirational giveaways. 100 tattoos per package. Teal ribbon design with clear sides. Approximately 1.5" x 2". These cancer awareness favors are perfect for your awareness fundraisers or event. |
 |
L'Oreal Paris Hope Necklace by Netaya The L'Oreal Paris Hope Necklace is a simple way for women everywhere to visibly and tangibly help in the fight against one of the most deadly women's cancers. The necklace was designed by 2008 Swarovski Award for Accessory Design recipient Philip Crangi and features a double eternity ring design of cubic zirconia set in sterling silver. One ring is worn for remembrance and one ring is worn as a symbol of hope for the future. The two eternity rings are free floating and suspended from an 18" rolo link chain. Each ring is comprised of 21 channel set, 2mm brilliant cubic zirconias. This necklace normally retails for $99 but is being offered for only $29.95 (plus $5.95 s&h) to support ongoing research to defeat this dreadful disease. Net profits (five dollars per sale) will benefit... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |