Risk of endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Although several studies have evaluated the risk of gynecological cancers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there are controversies regarding it.
 Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of PCOS with endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers.
 Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases based on MESH terms using the combination of the appropriate keywords were searched to retrieve observational studies on endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers in PCOS women, published from inception to April 2020. This meta-analysis was performed to determine the pooled odds ratio (OR) of these cancers in women with PCOS. Publication bias was assessed by using Begg’s test.
 Results: Of 1347 records retrieved by searching the databases, a total of 14 articles were included in the study. Overall, the pooled OR of the composite outcome, including endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers in women with PCOS was higher than that of women with no PCOS (pooled OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-1.9). The pooled OR of endometrial (pooled OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.03-4.7) and ovarian (pooled OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.8) cancers in women with PCOS was higher than the control group, whereas the pooled OR of breast cancer was not significantly higher than that of the control group.
 Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicated an increased risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers in women with PCOS.
 Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Endometrial cancer, Ovarian cancer, Breast cancer.

Increased Prevalence of Adverse Health Outcomes Across the Lifespan in Those Affected by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Canadian Population Cohort

“… 6 , 32 The prevalence of endometrial cancer has been reported to be increased 3-5 fold in those with PCOS in the postmenopause years, and an increased risk for ovarian cancer has been reported in younger women with PCOS in the premenopause years. 6 , 123 , 124 , 125 In our cohort, we have shown that all malignancy was increased by 30% in those with PCOS, suggesting that increased awareness and screening may be warranted.…”

Increased risk of ovarian and breast malignancies in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a review article

“…Some studies have considered the risk of ovarian and breast cancer in PCOS patients to be considerable, and some have not observed a significant relationship (11,32). Other studies have shown that the risk of uterine and breast cancer was higher in people with PCOS (10)(11)(12). In several systematic reviews, it was found that endometriosis is related to PCOS.…”

“…There are conflicting results regarding the relationship between PCOS and breast cancer. Some studies have reported an association, but others have not (9,10). The actual risk remains unclear; Because their results are often contradictory and the risk of developing these cancers in women with PCOS is still debated (11,12).…”

Polycystic ovary syndrome and risk of breast cancer in premenopausal and postmenopausal women: a nationwide population-based cohort study

“…Although some reproductive and metabolic risk factors for breast cancer, such as low parity and obesity, are also characteristics of PCOS, knowledge regarding the association between PCOS and breast cancer is less conclusive and has only been investigated in ve cohort- [13][14][15][16][17] and three case-control studies [18][19][20]. Most of the previous studies are included in two recent meta-analyses [21,22], both of which reported null associations (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.78-1.14 and OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.87-1.4, respectively). The two meta-analyses encompass slightly different studies, and most of the studies have notable limitations including inadequate information on PCOS de nitions, small sample size and short follow-up and insu cient confounder adjustment.…”