Researchers investigate potential link between menstruation and ovarian cancer

Dubbed “The silent killer” ovarian cancer kills approximately 125,000 women per year, worldwide. However its causes still remain a mystery. New research from St. George’s, University of London is investigating the possibility that monthly menstruation could be a prime cause of the cancer.

The researchers, led by Dr Tanya Shaw are investigating the theory that menstruation causes monthly wounding of the womb. Following ovulation, the release of the egg causes a ‘wound’ in the surrounding tissue. The repeating process of wounding and healing causes changes in the cells within the tissue and has the potential to become cancerous.

Decreasing the amount of ovulations a woman has by methods such as the contraceptive pill – has been proven to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. This study aims to find out why. Dr Shaw describes the study; “By looking at pre-cancerous lesions and ovarian tumours, we hope to improve our understanding of the relationship between the injury, the healing process and ovarian cancer.”

The study is funded by the Association for International Cancer Research (AIRC) and Dr Mark Matfield of AICR has said; “Often, its only by backing research into new theories about cancer that we will really change our understanding of how different types of cancer are caused – and how we can treat or prevent them.”

Published: Thursday, 4th November 2010 by Adelle Kehoe