KatCarney

2.5.4. Cancer
Obesity is a well documented risk factor for endometrial cancer (Folsom et al. 1989). Type 2 DM is associated with a twofold increase in the risk for endometrial cancer, which is, at least in part, independent of concomitant obesity (O"Mara et al. 1985). One possible mechanism by which PCOS increases the risk for endometrial cancer is the associated high and unopposed levels of endogenous estrogen, which has been directly linked to endometrial cancer risk (Hammond et al. 1979). Epidemiologic studies have shown an increased risk for endometrial cancer in women with chronic anovulation (Coulam et al. 1983). In a case series of 97 young women with endometrial hyperplasia, 25% had PCOS (Chamlian & Taylor 1970). In a study involving 175 women with endometrial cancer and 1746 population-based controls, several features suggestive of PCOS were more common among the cases (Dahlgren et al. 1991).

It has been hypothesized that the androgenic milieu in the ovary of PCOS subjects might also predispose them to certain types of ovarian cancer. In the Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study, women with epithelial ovarian cancer were significantly more likely to report a prior diagnosis of PCOS than controls (Schildkraut et al. 1996). However, there are several studies which could not show increased ovarian cancer risk in PCOS women (Coulam et al. 1983, Pierpoint et al. 1998). However, the possibly increased cancer risk emphasizes the usefulness of contraceptive pills in the treatment of PCOS (see 2.6.1), as a reduction of the incidence of endometrial and possibly of ovarian cancer (Hulka et al. 1982, Godsland et al. 1992).

source: http://herkules.oulu.fi/isbn95142642...91.html#AEN953

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