Ovarian cancer has been linked to obesity

Weight loss surgery has many health benefits which we already know. But, there is a link between obesity and ovarian cancer that needs to also be made aware to women.

This link between obesity and ovarian cancer should come as no surprise since obesity is related to nearly every major medical illness. There are over 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed each year with more than 14,000 unfortunate deaths attributable to the disease. With many risk factors for the disease besides obesity, ovarian cancer affects roughly 8 out of every 100,000 women in America. The relationship between ovarian cancer and obesity is felt to be low, around 5%. This may seem like an insignificant number, but it means more than 1000 cases of ovarian cancer may be prevented each year if it were not for obesity, which is increasing rapidly in the United States. One of the most difficult aspects of ovarian cancer is that it starts and progresses nearly undetectable in the majority of the patients. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of the disease which are unfortunately vague but include abdominal bloating or swelling, getting full quickly, weight loss, pelvic discomfort, and changes in bowel habits. If we can do anything to prevent this terrible cancer, everyone should take steps to help.  This includes regularly seeing your doctor and losing weight if you are obese.