Obesity, diabetes, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are the key reasons why India is seeing a rise in gynaecological cancers like endometrial, ovarian, and uterus, said experts on Monday.
The rise is particularly of concern among younger women, and calls for greater awareness and early screening.
There have been more incidences of endometrial cancer — cancer that develops in the lining of the uterus — among young women in their early 30s, a condition traditionally seen in post-menopausal women.
“As obesity rates climb and more women delay childbearing or remain childless, they face prolonged exposure to oestrogen, a known risk factor for endometrial cancer. Conversely, progesterone, produced during pregnancy, provides a protective effect against this cancer,” Dr. Vandana Jain, Sr. Consultant and Chief of Gynae Oncology Services, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) said.
“Women with conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), who often do not ovulate regularly, also find themselves at heightened risk,” Jain added.
According to statistics 1 in 100 women are either diagnosed with cancer of the uterus or cancer of the ovary. However, a steady rise in the numbers of these two cancers has been observed of late.
“Obesity, diabetes, and PCOS have all been scientifically proven to be the reasons for the rise in the incidence of cancer of the uterus and ovary, albeit indirectly,” Dr. Sai Lakshmi Daayana, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centres, Hyderabad, told IANS.
Ovarian cancer is the third most common type of cancer among women in India. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the age-adjusted incidence rate of ovarian cancer in India is estimated to be around 6.8 per 1,00,000 women.