Age of Menarche Can Affect Cancer Outcome

The fewer the ovulatory cycles, the less risk for developing ovarian cancer, the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Researchers have known that for some time.

However, a new study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, reveals how the number of ovulatory cycles and age of menarche affect survival among women already diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

The new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that survival rates among women with ovarian cancer are influenced by the total number of lifetime ovulatory cycles and age of menarche. Certain factors temporarily stop ovulation and reduce your total number of lifetime ovulatory cycles: pregnancy, breastfeeding and oral contraceptive use.

Study results: The fewer lifetime ovulatory cycles, the greater the ovarian cancer survival rate. Study participants who had periods before age 12 were less likely to survive compared with women whose periods began at age 14 or older.

“We now have evidence that higher numbers of lifetime ovulatory cycles may play a role in the development of ovarian cancer as well as the risk of death after being diagnosed with the disease,” said Cheryl L. Robbins, Ph.D., an epidemiologist at the CDC.

Researchers say that the study results will suggest new research directions, but will not lead to any immediate changes in treatment.

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