Does having PCOS raise ovarian cancer risk in women?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been dealing with PCOS/PMOS for a while now, and I recently read something about a potential link between PCOS/PMOS and ovarian cancer. I am a bit concerned about this, especially considering I have had PCOS/PMOS for the long term.

Could having PCOS/PMOS increase my risk of developing ovarian cancer?
If so, are there any specific steps I should be taking to monitor my health more closely?
Additionally, I would like to know if there are any warning signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer that I should be aware of, just to stay on top of things.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

PCOS/PMOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome/Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) is not associated with ovarian cancer; rather, there can be a slightly increased risk of endometrial cancer in PCOS/PMOS. The only thing that can be done to decrease the risk is to prevent the hyperestrogenic state caused by PCOS/PMOS. I would suggest the following treatment for PCOS/PMOS:

Make some lifestyle modifications.
Regular exercise can be helpful.
A combined estrogen-progesterone pill can help in regularizing the cycles.
Endometrial hyperplasia caused by PCOS/PMOS increases the risk, so it can be diagnosed by an ultrasound. But if your cycles are regular, then there is no need to be concerned about it.

Though there are a few case reports that have shown an association of PCOS/PMOS with ovarian cancer, it is not proven.

I hope you got your answer.

Thank you.

Regards.