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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Obesity and ovarian cancer survival

As I wrote earlier, excess weight seems to increase certain types of cancers in men and women.   Some of my patients with ovarian cancer asked if obesity affect ovarian cancer survival.   A Canadian study evaluated1423 women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer in a large population-based study

Information on risk factors and characteristics was collected by telephone. Vital status was determined both by computerized record-linkage and by chart review. Statistical analysis was done for height, weight and body mass index in association with ovarian cancer-specific mortality.

The study concluded that  weight does not affect the survival of patients with ovarian cancer.   Please note that this study is about survival not risk factors.

However, another study by Protani who reviewed multiple studies concluded differently.  It showed obese patients with ovarian cancer seemed to have worse survival. My recommendation is still the same in regards to maintaining your healthy weight to reduce risks of certain cancers, heart disease and diabetes.

Reference:

Kotsopoulos J, et al.  Height, weight, BMI and ovarian cancer survival. Gynecol Oncol. 2012 Oct;127


-         Protani MM, Nagle CM, Webb PM.Obesity and ovarian cancer survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2012 Jul;5(7):901-10.
 

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