OA: Polycystic ovary syndrome and risk of endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer: a systematic review

Polycystic ovary syndrome and risk of endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer: a systematic review | Fertility Research and Practice | Full Text

Results

We identified 11 individual studies and 3 meta-analyses on the associations between PCOS and endometrial cancer, 8 studies and 1 meta-analysis for ovarian cancer, and 10 studies and 1 meta-analysis for breast cancer. Multiple studies reported that women with PCOS were at a higher risk for endometrial cancer; however, many did not take into account body mass index (BMI), a strong and well-established risk factor for endometrial cancer. The association with ovarian cancer was less clear, but a potentially increased risk of the borderline serous subtype was reported by two studies. No consistent association between PCOS risk and breast cancer was observed.

 Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by oligomenorrhea, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. It has an estimated prevalence of 4–21% in reproductive aged women depending on the diagnostic criteria and population examined [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. In the U.S. it has been estimated that 5 million women may have PCOS [8]. PCOS is associated with metabolic abnormalities including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type II diabetes and is also one of the most common causes of reduced fertility [9, 10]. The altered metabolic and hormonal environment among women with PCOS may increase their risk of some types of cancer.....

 
Oligomenorrhea is a condition in which you have infrequent menstrual periods.
Hyperandrogenism, also known as androgen excess, is a medical condition characterized by excessive levels of androgens (male sex hormones such as testosterone) in the female body and the associated effects of the elevated androgen levels.