Researchers Make Inroads Towards Improved Ovarian Health

Although it has long been known that the ovaries play an important role in regulating women?s reproductive health, the broader health impact of the ovaries has remained shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding for decades. The complexities of ovarian health have continued to elude scientists despite years of research. In fact, it is only within the last year that the arly symptoms for ovarian cancer, widely recognized as one of the deadliest forms of the disease, have been identified and released to the public.

The recent discoveries that have been made about the ovaries and their role in women?s health have set off a veritable firestorm of research activity. Scientists at institutions all over the world have announced significant findings about the nature, causes, cures, and possible prevention of ovarian diseases, such as cancer. This week, we?ll review the results of a few of the most important recent studies related to the ovaries and ovarian health.

Birth Control Pill May Reduce Women's Risk of Ovarian and Other Cancers

After years of contradictory research findings, a study conducted by researchers at the University of Aberdeen appears to have finally lain to rest the long-held belief that oral contraceptives may contribute to women?s risk of developing cancer. Indeed, the study?s findings seem to indicate that for women in certain genetic risk categories, a preventive course of treatment that includes birth control pills may substantially reduce the risk of developing ovarian, breast, and other cancers of the female reproductive system.

The study was conducted using data from nearly 50,000 British women over the course of nearly forty years. Although many women dropped out of the study, the resulting findings still represented the largest data source of its kind. Using several advanced methods of statistical analysis, the scientists were able to arrive at an in-depth understanding of the relationship between birth control pills and cancer risk.

Not only did the researchers detect no discernible risk of increased cancer risk among the women who took oral contraceptives for many years, but they found that many of the women who were long-time users of the birth control pill had less risk of developing ovarian cancer than did their counterparts who had never used oral contraceptives. Depending on the data used, the women who had taken oral contraceptives appeared to have anywhere from 3% to 12% less chance of developing cancer. Although the researchers caution that further investigation is necessary before developing new preventive treatment methods for women in high-risk categories, they confirm that these findings could revolutionize the protocols for ovarian cancer prevention.

New Drug Helps Extend Life for Women with Aggressive Strain of Ovarian Cancer

For decades, ovarian cancer has remained one of the deadliest forms of the disease, regularly ranking among the most prevalent killers of women. The lack of early symptoms of ovarian cancer makes rapid detection difficult, and the treatment options for women with advanced cases were limited.

However, the findings of a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham may signal a turning point for women with the most aggressive form of ovarian cancer. An experimental drug developed by the scientists showed great promise when used to treat long-term survivors with recurrent ovarian cancer.

The drug, pertuzumab, is among a class of cancer-fighting agents known as monoclonal antibodies that have been shown to limit or eliminate the growth of tumors and cancer cells at a molecular level. The researchers are now planning a third phase of the study that will further extend the assessment of pertuzumab?s efficacy with other forms and stages of ovarian cancer.

Low-Fat Diet May Help Reduce Risk of Ovarian Cancer

Because of the unique aggressiveness and rapid growth of many forms of ovarian cancer, and because early detection of the disease is often difficult, many researchers have focused on assessing different lifestyle choices that may reduce overall ovarian cancer risk.

One recent investigation conducted by scientists at the National Institute of Health found that women whose diets were low in fat seemed to have a reduced risk of developing ovarian cancer. According to the results of the large-scale analysis of cancer data, it appeared that women who chose low-fat foods consistently were able to cut their risk of ovarian cancer by as much as forty percent in comparison to the general population. However, the diet did not seem to have as drastic a protective effect against many other cancers and diseases facing women.

If you?re concerned about ovarian health, work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that fits with your health profile, medical history, and lifestyle. Check back each week to get more of the health science news that can impact your health.