Obesity Puts Women at Greater Risk for Silent Killer

Ovarian cancer is sometimes called the silent killer. That’s because its symptoms—bloating, fatigue, back pain, and upset stomach—aren’t that unusual. Many women fail to mention these symptoms to their doctor. And by the time ovarian cancer is diagnosed, the disease is usually very advanced. But we now know that some women are more at risk for ovarian cancer. And these women, together with their doctors, can be on the alert for the disease. For example, researchers found that obesity may be a major risk factor for certain types of ovarian cancer. What’s more, ovarian cancer usually strikes women ages 40 and older. But new findings show that obesity may put younger women at greater risk for some ovarian cancers. If you’re overweight, talk with your doctor about your risk.

International Journal of Cancer, vol. 123, no. 2