PCOS CASES TRIPLE IN LAST 40 YEARS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – a prevalent condition among women in the UAE – can increasingly put women at risk of uterine cancer, reducing their chances of fertility. PCOS is also a significant cause behind obesity, another major reason for uterine cancer. According to World Health Organization, between 1978 and 2013, endometrial cancer diagnoses have increased in 26 of 43 countries, mainly due to increasing obesity cases which themselves have tripled in the last 40 years. In the UAE, experts believe that obese women are 10 times more likely to suffer from uterine cancer.

‘Imbalance in the hormones with over-exposure to estrogens can lead to endometrial cancer. This could be due to endogenous causes such as PCOS, or exogenous causes such as unopposed estrogens in menopausal hormone therapy if progesterone is not prescribed,’ explains Professor Dr Neerja Bhatla who is the chairperson of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Committee for Gynecologic Oncology.

‘Some women may have genetic family syndromes that is predisposed to uterine cancer along with breast, ovarian and other cancers. Thus the causes may be multifactorial. However, regular exercise and healthy lifestyle choices can serve as a protection.’

Symptoms of the endometrial cancer include bleeding between periods, bleeding after menopause, an abnormal, constant back and pelvic pain, unintended weight loss, fatigue and nausea. ‘One can safely consider fertility preservation provided that the cancer is diagnosed in early stages, is well-differentiated low-grade tumour and there is absence of any significant additional disease or disorder,” adds Dr Bhatla.