Certain foods increase your risk of ovarian cancer — but there’s a surprising way to prevent it

The last few years have not been good for people with ovaries. He has brought calamity upon those of us who desire to do so.

Well, this new year seems to bring even more dire health news for those with wombs.

First, a study by British researchers found a link between increased junk food intake and an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women. As a refresher, the term “ultra-processed” food as used in such studies refers to food that undergoes processes that alter the food from its natural state. They are also made from extracts from “real” foods such as sugars, starches, etc. They are also staples in the American diet. Think about what you see in the snack aisle: microwave dinners, candy, potato chips.

“It may also contain additives such as artificial colors, flavors and stabilizers,” says Kathy McManus, director of nutrition and diet internship director at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. , explained“Examples of these foods are frozen foods, soft drinks, hot dogs and cold cuts, fast food, packaged cookies, cakes, and salty snacks.

as described in the magazine electronic clinical medicine, researchers looked at ultra-processed food eating habits and deaths and diagnoses of 34 types of cancer. We investigated how much ultra-processed food we eat. Consumption varied widely, with low-end ultra-processed foods making up 9.1% of his diet. At the high end, it was estimated to make up 41.4% of their diet. Armed with this knowledge, researchers set out to examine the various health outcomes of these two aspects of the ultra-processed food consumption spectrum.

Researchers then compared their eating habits to medical records that listed both cancer diagnoses and cancer deaths. Through this analysis, the researchers found a singular association: they estimated a 2% increase in the incidence of all types of cancer for every 10% increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods.

However, the rate was even worse in those with ovaries. In fact, researchers estimate he saw a 19% increase in ovarian cancer diagnoses over the same period.

The increased risk is not only diagnosed, but also dead From both ovarian and breast cancer. Each 10% increase in consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a 16% increased chance of dying from breast cancer and a 30% increased chance of dying from ovarian cancer. of cancer.

“This study supports growing evidence that ultra-processed foods are likely to have adverse effects on our health, including cancer risk.” Dr. Esther VamosPrincipal author of the School of Public Health, Imperial College London. “While our study cannot prove causation, other available evidence suggests that reducing ultra-processed foods in our diets may have important health benefits. is showing.

In fact, a similar study found that the more people who consumed ultra-processed foods, the higher their risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among women after cancer. It goes without saying that consumption has increased over the last two decades.

But don’t worry fellow ovary owners. Although invasive, there are real ways to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer. Surgical removal of the fallopian tubes.

In fact, last week’s second ovarian jab Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA).

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“Since the fallopian tubes are the origin of most high-grade serous carcinomas, salpingectomy has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of subsequent ovarian cancer diagnosis,” said OCRA. “This is called an ‘opportunistic salpingectomy,'” said a statement.

This recommendation came with a disappointing reality check. Despite efforts, reliable early ovarian cancer detection approaches for average-risk patients are likely still 10 to 20 years away. Now a woman can find out if she has BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations that may indicate a very high risk of ovarian cancer. However, there are many other risk factors invisible to genetic testing.

surely, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)most women who get ovarian cancer are not considered “high risk”. There are several factors.

This recommendation is certainly surprising, but since most ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tubes, many doctors in the field agree it makes sense.

“Ovarian cancer is a relatively rare disease and usually doesn’t send a message to the general public. Audra Moranthe president of the Alliance told the New York Times.